EMBARKING ON NEW HORIZONS: BAYRAKTAR TB3'S UNPARELLED PROGRESS
AI-Equipped Bayraktar TB3 Performs Short-Runway Carrier Takeoff and Landing
Fuelled by unwavering ambition and cutting-edge technology, Turkey's homegrown unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the Bayraktar TB3, has stormed into the headlines once again. The TB3 has surpassed a significant milestone during its series of tests on TCG Anadolu, a short-runway carrier, completing over 100 sorties.
The Autonomous Revolution
The TB3, the first UCAV ever to take off and land fully autonomously from a ship with a short runway[3], has successfully demonstrated its innovative capabilities in a series of trials conducted between May 28 and June 2. During these tests, the TB3's ability for fully autonomous take-off and landing, supported by image-based artificial intelligence (AI), was put to the test.
Critical features such as visual line tracking, aircraft carrier detection, runway detection, and landing angle estimation using ground vision were tried and true. The Bayraktar TB3 UCAV has now reached 101 sorties, with a total air time of 1,167 hours and 8 minutes on the ship[3].
Soaring to New Heights
As part of the general test program, the number of sorties soared to 709. During a long flight test on Dec. 20, 2023, the UCAV remained aloft for an impressive 32 hours without interruption, covering 5,700 kilometers[3].
A Prize-Winning Powerhouse
Over the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, Baykar, the mastermind behind the TB3, outranked other players to become the top exporter in the defense and aerospace sector.In 2024, the company recorded sales of a staggering $1.8 billion, generating a whopping 90% of its revenues from exports[5].
Key Features and Capabilities
- Shipborne Operations: The TB3 is designed to take off and land on the decks of ships like Turkey’s TCG Anadolu, making it a versatile choice for naval missions. Its folding-wing design allows for compact storage and rapid deployment, enabling the operation of up to 30–50 aircraft from a single vessel[1].
- Autonomous Take-off and Landing: Recognized as the world’s first UCAV capable of fully autonomous take-off and landing from a short-runway vessel, the TB3 relies on advanced vision-based, AI-assisted systems for autonomous detection, runway identification, angle estimation, and visual line tracking[3].
- Operational Milestones: During recent tests aboard TCG Anadolu, the TB3 completed over 100 sorties, highlighting its robust autonomous capabilities and operational reliability[3]. As of the latest trials, TB3 UCAVs have logged over 1,167 hours and over 700 sorties in total[3].
- Mission Flexibility and Endurance: The TB3 is designed for armed missions, supporting live-firing and a variety of payloads suitable for reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike roles. Exact figures for its endurance and payload capacity are not publicly specified in available sources.
The Bayraktar TB3 signifies a groundbreaking leap in unmanned naval aviation with its pioneering autonomous take-off and landing capabilities leading the way for future shipborne UCAV operations.
The Bayraktar TB3, a pioneer in unmanned naval aviation, has demonstrated its innovative artificial-intelligence capabilities during a series of trials, successfully carrying out fully autonomous take-off and landing supported by image-based artificial intelligence (AI). This revolutionary UCAV, the first ever to operate fully autonomously from a short-runway ship, has reached 101 sorties, a testament to its unparalleled autonomy and operational reliability.
