ANKA-3 launches third flight triumphantly ANKA-3 soars again/PHOTO

ANKA-3 unmanned combat aircraft takes to the skies for the third time.

Caliber.Az reports with reference to SavunmaSanayiST.com that the heavy unmanned combat aircraft developed by Turkish aerospace company Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayii A.Ş. (TUSAŞ) heavy UAV ANKA-3, built in a flying wing design, was in the air for more than two hours during its third training flight, reached a speed of 160 knots (296.3 km/h) and climbed to an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). The ANKA-3 thus improved on its previous flight performance. Flight mechanics and autopilot tests were also conducted during the flight.

After the evaluations of each flight test, new features will be applied to the ANKA-3, and efforts will be made to bring the UAV to full mission readiness.

The ground and data systems used in the ANKA and AKSUNGUR are basic in the ANKA-3, which has been separated from the main family by new software.

The ANKA-3 UAV will be able to perform many missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance, attack with air-to-ground, and air-to-air munitions, neutralize enemy radars and air defense systems, protect friendly forces in the air and on the ground, conduct electronic warfare, work with friendly links and relay communications.

The ANKA-3 will be able to carry 650 kg of munitions in each of the two stations in the fuselage, 650 kg in each of the inner wing stations, and 100 kg in each of the outer stations. Thus, a wide range of options could be integrated, from the most common munitions used in today's drones to large munitions such as SOM-J, MK-82, and bunker-buster bombs.