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The Bayraktar TB3, recognized as the world's first unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of fully autonomous takeoff and landing from a short-runway vessel, has completed 100 successful sorties during test operations aboard the TCG Anadolu.
The milestone was achieved during ongoing trials that included evaluations of the aircraft's vision-based, AI-assisted, fully automatic takeoff and landing systems, according to Baykar officials.
In the latest round of tests conducted aboard the TCG Anadolu between May 28 and June 2, the Bayraktar TB3's advanced autonomous capabilities were demonstrated.
The trials successfully tested critical features, including visual line tracking, aircraft carrier detection, runway identification, and landing angle estimation through ground view.
Upon completing the sea trials, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAVs designated PT-3 and PT-4 flew back from waters off Mugla's Aksaz district to Baykar's Flight Training and Test Center in Kesan.
With its sortie count on the TCG Anadolu now at 101, the Bayraktar TB3 has logged a total of 1,167 hours and eight minutes of flight time across all test missions to date. The total number of sorties conducted as part of the indigenous UCAV's test program has reached 709.
In a notable endurance demonstration conducted on Dec. 20, 2023, the UCAV flew non-stop for 32 hours, covering a distance of 5,700 kilometers (3,541.82 miles).
On May 14, 2025, during the Distinguished Observer Day of the SEAWOLF-2025 Exercise, the Bayraktar TB3 showcased its combat capabilities.
Launching consecutively from the TCG Anadolu in the Mediterranean, the PT-3 and PT-4 aircraft successfully executed dual salvo strikes on land targets using MAM-L munitions developed by Roketsan.
Prior to the exercise, the UCAV underwent intensive testing and preparation aboard the ship, conducting successful sorties over the Gulf of Saros between April 22 and 25. On May 11, it carried out successful live-fire tests using MAM-L munitions integrated with ASELFLIR-500 and Aselsan CATS electro-optical systems.
The Bayraktar TB3 made aviation history on Nov. 19, 2024, by successfully carrying out its first flight from the TCG Anadolu off the coast of Mugla Aksaz. This milestone was followed by direct-hit strikes against naval targets using the Roketsan-made UAV-122 supersonic missile on March 25 and 27, 2025.
In a critical live-fire test, an airborne Bayraktar TB2 UCAV conducted laser designation, successfully demonstrating coordinated target marking and engagement capabilities between two different UCAVs operating simultaneously.
Powered by the PD-170 engine developed by TEI, the indigenous UCAV reached an altitude of 36,310 feet on June 25, 2024. The aircraft features a folding-wing design and beyond-line-of-sight communication capabilities, enabling remote operation from very long distances.
These capabilities will allow the Bayraktar TB3 to carry out reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, and strike missions against overseas targets using smart munitions, serving as a force multiplier for Türkiye's deterrent capabilities.
Baykar, which has funded all projects using its own resources since inception, has earned 83% of its total revenues from exports since beginning UAV research and development efforts in 2003. In 2023, Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in exports, placing it among the top 10 exporting companies across all sectors in Türkiye.
As the world's largest exporter in the unmanned aerial vehicle market, Baykar continued its global success in 2024, generating 90% of its income from exports and reaching $1.8 billion in export volume.
As the world's largest unmanned aerial vehicle company, Baykar has signed export agreements with 36 countries—35 for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and 15 for the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV.
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