Türkiye introduces new feature in ANKA-3 stealth drone PHOTO

Turkish engineers have introduced a new function to the ANKA-3 stealth drone, which allows it to be used as a "refuelling aircraft”.

“Türkiye is devising various strategies for drones to further enhance the capabilities of the country's air force. ANKA-3 is a platform that can perform extremely complex tasks thanks to its multiple functions,” TRT Haber reports.

The Turkish Air Force has KC-135R refuelling planes in service. These aircraft are known to refuel combat aircraft both in drills and in border operations.

However, the cross-sectional area of existing tanker aircraft, which is almost the size of a passenger aircraft, is very large. Because this makes them an easy target, almost all supply work is done "behind the front line", or rather in the "safe zone".

In light of this information, it becomes even more significant that the ANCA-3 can be "used as a supply aircraft". Its design features minimise visibility. The ANKA-3's radar efficiency is very low. This opens the way for combat aircraft to be resupplied even in places that are actually extremely dangerous, such as behind the front lines.

In a process where unmanned combat aircraft are beginning to take centre stage, it is almost mandatory that the refuelling aircraft that will accompany them should be unmanned and have a low radar footprint, like the ANKA-3.

Low radar footprint unmanned refuelling planes are very valuable not only for unmanned combat aircraft but also for highly advanced combat aircraft of the 4th,5th or 5th generation class.