Turkish Bayraktar TB3 Drone Soars to New Heights with Domestically-Produced Engine.

The Baykar Bayraktar TB3, a Turkish armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by defense company Baykar, has set a new altitude record by reaching 33,000 feet during a high-altitude performance test, reported on May 3, 2024. The test took place at the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Tekirdag's Corlu district. The UAV was powered by the domestically developed PD-170 engine produced by TUSAS Engine Industries Inc. (TEI), marking a significant milestone in the utilization of indigenous engines.

Developed by Baykar indigenously and originally, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV successfully completed its High-Altitude System Performance Test, breaking the altitude record of 33,000 with its indigenous engine. (Picture source: Baykar)

Since its inaugural flight on October 27, 2023, coinciding with the centennial celebration of the Republic of Türkiye, the Bayraktar TB3 has undergone various performance tests at medium and high altitudes, showcasing its operational capabilities. A notable development occurred on March 26, when the UAV was equipped with the locally developed ASELFLIR-500 system, enhancing its reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities.

The TB3 is designed for medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) operations and is capable of short-range takeoffs and landings. Notably, it can operate from aircraft carriers like the TCG Anadolu, thanks to its foldable wings—a modification necessitated by Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 procurement program, which led to adjustments in the ship’s specifications to accommodate UAVs such as the Bayraktar TB3.

The development of the TB3 was publicly announced by Selçuk Bayraktar on October 29, 2020, highlighting the integration of a high-performance domestic engine, presumed to be the PD-170 or its derivative. The first computer-generated images of the TB3 on the TCG Anadolu were released on July 21, 2021, displaying its innovative design that facilitates operations alongside the jet-engine equipped Bayraktar Kızılelma.

Key milestones in the development timeline of the TB3 include the unveiling of the first prototype on March 27, 2023, a successful test run on October 13, 2023, and initial take-off and landing tests on October 20, 2023. The UAV's maiden flight occurred on October 27, 2023, and it achieved another significant milestone on November 11, 2023, flying with its landing gear retracted for the first time.

The Bayraktar TB3 has a length of 8.35 meters and a wingspan of 14 meters. It supports a maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 kilograms and a payload capacity of 280 kilograms. Powered by the TEI PD170 engine, it reaches a maximum speed of 160 knots (300 km/h) and a cruise speed of 125 knots (232 km/h). Its operational range extends to 1,000 knots (1,900 km). The TB3 is equipped with six hardpoints for various laser-guided munitions and features advanced avionics, including the expected integration of interchangeable EO/IR/LD imaging and targeting sensor systems or a Multi-Mode AESA Radar.

Baykar has significantly contributed to defense export markets, with exports accounting for 83% of its revenue since 2003. In 2023, Baykar's exports amounted to $1.8 billion, representing over 90% of its income and one-third of the total sector exports, establishing it as the world's largest UAV exporter with contracts across 34 countries.