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Turkish TAI’s ANKA-3 Becomes First Next-Gen Stealth Combat Drone Fully Operated from Aircraft.
On October 30, 2024, the official Twitter account of SİYAH SANCAK (@siyahsancakx) reported a significant development in combat drone technology by TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries). The ANKA-3, a stealth unmanned combat drone developed by TAI, became the first drone in history to be controlled by another aircraft, representing an advancement in remote control capabilities for military aviation.
Turkish TAI’s ANKA-3 Next-Gen Stealth Combat Drone (Picture source: TAI)
The ANKA-3 is a stealth combat drone that embodies the latest generation of unmanned technologies, combining stealth, autonomy, and advanced combat capabilities. Its aerodynamic design and radar-absorbing materials allow it to reduce its radar signature, enhancing its survivability in conflict zones. Its ability to be controlled from another aircraft opens new operational perspectives for air forces, facilitating complex missions in high-risk areas while reducing vulnerabilities associated with ground control.
TAI's ANKA-3 stealth drone has been in development for several years as part of Türkiye's efforts to strengthen its autonomous and technological defense capabilities. Designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, precision strikes, and operations in hostile environments, this drone is intended to complement and diversify the Turkish army's combat capabilities in areas where human presence is risky. Supported by the Turkish government within a national strategy of military independence, the ANKA-3 also benefits from collaborations with local industries specializing in avionics and stealth, thus strengthening Turkey's defense technology ecosystem and reducing its dependence on foreign technology in the field of advanced drone systems.
From a purely technical perspective, the ANKA-3 is equipped with a single AI-322 engine, allowing the drone to reach a maximum speed of 450 knots. Its service ceiling is 12,000 meters (39,000 feet), with a maximum ceiling of 40,000 feet (12,000 meters). The future version of the ANKA-3 is likely to be larger and capable of carrying a heavier payload, with a shape that will need to be revised and optimized for supersonic speeds.
The integration of stealth drones like the ANKA-3, controllable from other aircraft, represents a considerable strategic interest for the armed forces. This technology maximizes flexibility and operational efficiency, responding to the growing demand for remote and autonomous combat solutions in an environment where threats are increasingly sophisticated. Controlling a drone from another aircraft opens the door to "loyal wingman" missions, where drones operate in concert with manned fighters. This approach combines the advantages of drones—stealth, autonomy, and no human risk—with the computing power and precision of pilots, offering more varied and redundant tactical options.
The ANKA-3 enables air forces to conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions in highly contested areas without endangering a human pilot. This technology is particularly valuable for deep missions in well-defended areas, where radar and missile defense systems make traditional incursions riskier. Additionally, the ability to control these drones from manned aircraft increases responsiveness in the event of a tactical change and ensures that drones can be rapidly deployed, coordinated with combat aircraft, for targeted strikes or enemy defense suppression missions.
Similar projects are under development by countries like the United States and China, each pursuing "wingman" drone concepts to accompany their air forces.
The United States has invested in several similar programs, the most well-known being the Skyborg program, led by the US Air Force and aimed at developing embedded AI for drones capable of coordinating and interacting with manned aircraft in real-time. An example of an advanced drone in this program is the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie, designed to operate alongside manned fighters like the F-35 or F-22, providing surveillance, attack, or enemy defense suppression missions. Unlike the ANKA-3, American drones are designed for complete autonomy in case of loss of connection with the pilot, with enhanced AI capabilities to enable independent decision-making.
China, for its part, is developing "swarming" drone systems and stealth companion drones, such as the GJ-11 Sharp Sword. The latter, a stealth combat drone, aims to operate in coordination with fifth-generation fighters like the J-20. Although less advanced in terms of direct control from another aircraft, Chinese drones incorporate AI technologies to coordinate swarm operations, offering tactical advantages for saturating enemy defenses. China also emphasizes stealth and penetration capability in heavily defended environments, seeking to compensate for control center vulnerability through increased drone autonomy.
Unlike the American and Chinese systems, TUSAŞ's ANKA-3 stands out for its ability to be entirely controlled from another aircraft, ensuring immediate interoperability and operational flexibility without requiring comparable levels of autonomy in AI. This type of control favors communication security and allows direct responsiveness to the intentions of a partner aircraft pilot. Furthermore, the ANKA-3, designed to be stealthy, combines advanced radar evasion technologies with an aerodynamic design that makes it an effective tool in high-threat environments.
The ANKA-3 is thus a valuable asset for the Turkish armed forces, offering an intermediate solution between the complete autonomy of American and Chinese drones and direct collaborative control. The ability of this platform to operate in tandem with manned aircraft places Türkiye ahead in the field of jointly controlled drone operations, while aligning with a global trend toward increasing stealth and autonomy in unmanned combat systems.