Turkish Bayraktar AKINCI UAV showcases long-range accuracy in live-fire test VIDEO

The Bayraktar AKINCI heavy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has successfully completed another live-fire test, demonstrating its advanced capabilities.

The UAV launched the IHA-230 guided missile, a supersonic air-to-surface missile developed by the Turkish defence company Roketsan, Caliber.Az reports.

According to SavunmaSanayiST.com, which reported the news via its social media account on X, the Bayraktar AKINCI achieved precise hits, striking targets 155 kilometres away.

Geldi hava savunma avcısı…

Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA, 2 adet İHA-230 Süpersonik Balistik Füze ile 155 kilometreden vurdu!pic.twitter.com/VAaoo9yAmT

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) November 13, 2024

The IHA-230 missile’s success underscores Türkiye’s significant strides in domestically produced defence technology.

Notably, Bayraktar Akinci is an advanced long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Baykar, a prominent Turkish drone manufacturer. This successor to the Bayraktar TB2 is engineered for multi-role operations, supporting a variety of ammunition configurations and integrating cutting-edge technologies.

First unveiled at the TEKNOFEST Istanbul in 2019, the Akinci successfully completed its maiden flight in December of the same year. The UCAV has since undergone extensive testing, with the first prototype flight in 2020 and subsequent system validation continuing through 2021. It was officially delivered to Turkish security forces in August 2021 and secured its first export contract in January 2022.

The Akinci features a robust fault-tolerant architecture, a wingspan of 20m, and a maximum take-off weight of 5,500kg. It is capable of carrying up to 1,350kg of payload, including smart munitions, missiles, and electronic warfare equipment.

Advanced avionics, including a triple-redundant flight control system and AI-powered data processing, enhance its operational capabilities. The UAV is powered by dual turboprop engines (450hp each) and boasts an operational range of 5,000km, with an endurance of 20 hours.

The Akinci operates at altitudes up to 40,000ft and supports line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, ensuring versatile, long-range mission capabilities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev