Baykar Bayraktar TB3

Baykar's Bayraktar TB3 is a medium‑altitude long‑endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that builds on the success of the TB2 platform while introducing a larger airframe, increased payload capacity and optional short‑take‑off and vertical‑landing (STOVL) capability. Development began in 2020 in response to the Turkish Armed Forces’ requirement for a domestically produced, twin‑engine drone capable of operating from naval vessels and austere runways. The prototype first flew in June 2023, and by early 2024 the system entered serial production at Baykar’s Ankara facility. Key features include a wingspan of 18 meters, a maximum take‑off weight of roughly 1,500 kg, and a payload envelope of up to 350 kg that can carry precision‑guided missiles, electronic‑warfare pods or synthetic‑aperture radar. Its twin turboprop engines provide a cruise speed of 250 km/h and an endurance exceeding 30 hours, while an integrated satellite‑communication suite ensures beyond‑line‑of‑sight control. The TB3’s significance lies in strengthening Turkey’s strategic autonomy, expanding the operational reach of its navy, and demonstrating the maturity of indigenous UAV technology that rivals Western and Russian counterparts in the rapidly growing UCAV market. Its deployment is expected to shape regional air power dynamics and encourage further investment in advanced drone research.

Baykar

Baykar Bayraktar TB3

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