Türkiye's new combat drone achieves highest altitude milestone

The Bayraktar TB3, Türkiye's latest unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for the country's first aircraft carrier, has reached a new milestone by achieving its highest altitude yet, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

Baykar announced that the TB3 attained an altitude of 36,310 feet (11 kilometres) during high-altitude system identification and performance tests.

Powered by the domestically developed PD-170 engine from Turkish aerospace engine manufacturer Tusas Engine Industries (TEI), the Bayraktar TB3's performance is inching closer to the national aviation altitude record of 45,118 feet (13.7 kilometres) held by Baykar's Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV.

The tests were conducted using a ramp that simulates conditions on the deck of the TCG Anadolu, the Turkish Navy's amphibious assault ship where the TB3 will be deployed.

The TB3 has logged 445 hours and 3 minutes of flight time during the tests. On December 20, 2023, it completed a 32-hour flight covering 3,541 miles (5,700 kilometres).

With its folding wing structure, the Bayraktar TB3 will be the first UCAV capable of taking off and landing from short-runway ships such as the TCG Anadolu. Baykar Chairperson Selçuk Bayraktar announced that testing on the TCG Anadolu is planned for 2024.

Baykar has funded all its projects independently since its inception and has generated 83% of its revenue from exports since beginning its UAV R&D process in 2003. In 2023, Baykar achieved exports worth $1.8 billion (TL 60 billion), ranking among the top 10 exporting companies across all sectors in Turkey.

The company has been recognized with the "Champions of Export Award" and has been the export leader in the defense and aviation industry for 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM).

Baykar has derived over 90% of its recent revenues from exports, accounting for one-third of the defense sector's exports last year.