It’s been quite a journey for the country over these years with serious progress in strengthening the country’s defense technology. The interoperability formation flight of Bayraktar TB3 and Akıncı UAVs further marked a major milestone for Turkish defense manufacturer Baykar. Within this scope, Bayraktar TB3 completed the system identification and performance tests that took off from Çorlu to Kesan, said Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer Selcuk Bayraktar at Baykar. This achievement marks not only the technical development of Baykar but also an important stage for the modernization of Turkey’s defense capability.
The Bayraktar TB3, developed by Baykar Savunma, was designed with foldable wings to undertake short takeoff and landing-a plus for being deployed from TCG Anadolu Amphibious Assault Ship. The design was according to the strategic needs of the Turkish navy and expanded its flexibility. Once these significant tactical capabilities are proven through interoperability and battlefield coordination, the Bayraktar TB3 will team up with Akıncı. In this way, the capabilities will be able to share real-time data across the different UAV platforms enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the information collected in any reconnaissance and surveillance mission.
This also increases the tactical flexibility of military operations, as this form of formation flying would involve the Bayraktar TB3, which can strike with heavy munitions with precision, flying along with Akıncı, which may either conduct reconnaissance and surveillance or strike other targets. The force deployment of such a combined force acts like a force multiplier to maximize the tactical effect without deploying human troops in high-risk environments.
On a technological and strategic level, formation flying tests and developing the ability of drones to operate synergistically is a very important feature in the future of automated combat strategies. This capability bolsters Turkey’s position as one of the leading countries in UAV technology, thereby cementing its stance on the international scene regarding advanced defense technologies.
Meanwhile, Turkish firm Aselsan marked progress in the field of radar when flying its AESA radar on a US-manufactured F-16 fighter plane for the first time. According to Haluk Gorgun, the president of the Turkish Defense Industry Agency, the importance of bringing AESA radar to Turkey is that this technology should take the Ozgur F-16 fighter which is operated by Turkey-to generation 4.5. These AESA radars will be fitted in different platforms that include HÜRJET, National Combat Aircraft (KAAN), KIZILELMA, and ANKA-3 UAVs.
The AESA radar features auto-recognition, target tracking, and automatic target limitation with AI-supported algorithms, operable across land, air, and sea. This, seemingly, is going to further advance Turkey’s air deterrent capability and offer certain vital export options for other nations’ combat aircraft programs.
Baykar also displayed the AI-able smart cruise missile/loitering munition, Kemankes, during the Teknofest 2023 exhibition held in Istanbul. The Kemankes missile has been developed for TB-2, TB-3, and Akinci UAVs to be used against valuable targets beyond immediate range. According to Baykar CEO Halyuk Bayraktar, the missile-fully developed in-house can reach a distance of more than 200 kilometers at Mach 0.7 diving speed. The AI-assisted optical guidance system supported the guided missile, which could strike with precision, while its autonomous flight capability protected electronic warfare jamming.
Advances in both UAV and radar technology demonstrate that seriously Turkey is taking steps to enhance its defense capability and keep a frontline position in the global defense industry.