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General Electric (GE) disclosed in its 2024 company presentation that it is conducting an integration program for its 800-horsepower class GE H-80 turboprop engine on the Bayraktar Akinci unmanned aerial combat vehicle (UCAV), according to a post by defense account Catfish Blues on X.
The revelation points to a potential power plant upgrade for Türkiye's strategic-class combat drone, which currently operates with twin turboprop engines ranging from 450 to 850 horsepower depending on variant.
The Bayraktar Akinci UCAV platform currently flies in at least three versions, Akinci-A, Akinci-B, and Akinci-C, featuring power plants of 2 x 450 hp, 2 x 750 hp, and 2 x 850 hp, respectively, in twin-turboprop configurations.
The GE H-80 integration would provide an 800-horsepower class option, potentially offering a balance between the mid-tier and high-power variants currently in service.
The strategic-class UCAV features a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 kg and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg. It achieves a service ceiling of 40,000 feet, an operational altitude of 30,000 feet, and an operational range of 6,000 km, with endurance exceeding 24 hours.
The platform's weapons compatibility spans precision-guided munitions to stand-off missiles:
The Bayraktar Akinci carries Mini Smart Munition MAM-L, Mini Smart Munition MAM-C, Cirit Missile, L-UMTAS Missile and Mini Smart Munition Bozok for precision strike missions.
For heavier strike operations, the drone is compatible with MK-81, MK-82 and MK-83 guided bombs (JDAM) as well as Wing Assisted Guided Bomb MK-82.
Air-to-air capability comes from integration with Gokdogan and Bozdoğan missiles, while the Stand-Off Missile SOM-A provides long-range strike capacity. The platform can be equipped with a multifunction AESA Radar system for air-to-air targeting, synthetic aperture imaging and meteorology estimation.
The Bayraktar Akinci measures 12.3 meters in length, 20 meters in wingspan and 4.1 meters in height.
The UAV features SATCOM BLOS and triple-redundant LOS link systems for communications, fault-tolerant, triple-redundant sensor fusion applications, fully autonomous flight control with triple-redundant autopilot systems, and retractable landing gear with gimbal camera systems.
ISR payload capabilities include simultaneous EO/IR/LD sensors, multi-mode AESA radar and SIGINT systems.
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