Baykar`s TB-3 UCAV Successfully Completes First Takeoff and Landing on TCG Anadolu`s Flight Deck
The Bayraktar TB-3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first UAV to land on and take off from a short-runway vessel. On November 19, 2024, the TB3 completed its first flight from the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu in tests conducted off the Aksaz Naval Base, marking a transformative moment in naval aviation.
Unlike the TB-2, which is primarily designed for land-based operations, the TB-3 is explicitly engineered for carrier-based use aboard short-runway vessels like TCG Anadolu. It is equipped with retractable landing gear, capable of handling the stresses of short-runway takeoffs and landings. With dimensions of 8.35 meters in length, a wingspan of 14 meters with folding wings, and a height of 2.6 meters, the aircraft is compact yet highly capable. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 kilograms, including a payload capacity of 280 kilograms. Powered by TUSAŞ Engine Industries’ PD-170 engine, the TB3 has an operational radius of 2,200 kilometers and can sustain flights for more than 24 hours at an operational altitude of 20,000 feet, with a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet.
The aircraft features six hard-points for mounting ammunition and has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 kilograms, including a payload capacity of 280 kilograms.
These six hard-points, allowing it to carry a versatile array of laser-guided smart munitions. Among its payload capabilities are the L-UMTAS (Long Range Anti-Tank Missile System), designed for precision engagement of armored targets. It can also deploy the MAM family of precision-guided munitions, including the MAM-C, MAM-L, and MAM-T variants, which provide flexibility for diverse mission profiles. The aircraft is further compatible with the Roketsan Cirit 70 mm missile system and TUBITAK-SAGE BOZOK laser-guided rockets, enhancing its ability to engage ground targets with high accuracy. Additionally, the TB3 can utilize the TUBITAK-SAGE TOGAN, an air-to-surface-launched 81 mm mortar munition, and the modular TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN joint ammunition. The KUZGUN family includes the KUZGUN-TjM, a turbojet-powered variant with a range of 245 kilometers, and the KUZGUN-SS, a free-soaring variant with a range of 110 kilometers, providing extended operational reach and adaptability for tactical missions.
According to information shared by Baykar, the second prototype of the TB-3 took off from TCG Anadolu’s flight deck, which includes a 12-degree inclined ramp, just using its own power. The UCAV completed a 46-minute flight and landed back on the ship without requiring any landing support equipment. This successful test followed over 700 hours of land-based test flights.
Baykar also shared videos of the takeoff and landing. An analysis of these videos provides the following insights into the TB-3’s performance:
During landing, the aircraft required a roll of slightly more than 300 feet.
For takeoff, the aircraft used the entire length of the flight deck.
The tests were conducted in a clean configuration, with no external payload. The flight deck’s width—approximately 21.5 meters from the island to the edge—provided 6 meters of clearance between the UCAV’s wingtips and the ship’s island during landing.
According to Baykar, the TB-3 performs landings and take-offs autonomously, without operator input. This capability is expected to simplify operations during adverse weather conditions at sea.
With the successful flight of the TB-3 from TCG Anadolu’s flight deck, the Turkish Navy becomes the third naval force capable of conducting conventional take-offs and landings of an unmanned aircraft from a warship, joining the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy.
The development of the TB3 marked a series of significant milestones in its journey toward operational readiness. The first prototype of the aircraft was unveiled to the public on 27 March 2023, signaling the program's progress. By 13 October 2023, the TB3 had successfully completed its first test run, setting the stage for more advanced trials. Just a week later, on 20 October, the TB3 conducted its initial take-off and landing test, achieving high speeds and briefly lifting its wheels off the ground without fully taking flight. This was followed by its maiden flight on 27 October 2023, timed symbolically just two days before the centenary of the Republic of Türkiye. The aircraft continued to achieve milestones with its first flight using retracted landing gear on 11 November 2023, showcasing enhanced aerodynamics. On 1 June 2024, the TB3 successfully performed a ski-jump ramp test on a specially constructed mainland ramp designed to replicate the deck of the TCG Anadolu, demonstrating its compatibility with carrier-based operations.
With autonomous landing and take-off capabilities, the Bayraktar TB3 simplifies operations in adverse maritime conditions, enhancing its suitability for naval deployments. Its foldable wings enable efficient storage aboard ships, while its advanced Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication systems extend operational reach.
The deployment of the Bayraktar TB-3 on short-runway vessels such as the TCG Anadolu introduces transformative capabilities for modern military operations. Three key scenarios highlight its utility:
Maritime Reconnaissance and Surveillance Missions: The TB-3's long operational range and advanced sensor systems allow Turkish Naval Forces to monitor vast maritime zones, including choke points and critical trade routes, providing early warning of threats and supporting decision-making in contested areas.
Rapid Response in Amphibious Assault Operations: Deployed aboard amphibious assault ships, the TB-3 can offer close air support during landings, neutralizing hostile fortifications or providing real-time intelligence to enhance the effectiveness of ground forces.
Force Multiplication in A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) Environments: The TB-3’s long-range capabilities enable it to penetrate contested zones, conduct reconnaissance, and deliver precision strikes against key enemy installations without risking manned assets.
Having a fixed-wing long-range reconnaissance vehicle like the TB-3 onboard provides unparalleled advantages. Its ability to cover extensive distances with endurance exceeding 24 hours allows persistent surveillance, enhancing situational awareness for commanders at sea. The foldable wing design ensures compatibility with limited-deck space, optimizing deployment in naval scenarios.
Additionally, TB-3's offensive capabilities offer a decisive edge in attacking and destroying enemy units. Its payload versatility, including precision-guided munitions such as the MAM series and KUZGUN variants, ensures adaptability to diverse mission profiles. The TB-3 can neutralize both high-value targets and smaller, dispersed threats with precision, minimizing collateral damage while maintaining strategic dominance.
This first flight from the deck of TCG Anadolu is just the start. The tests were completed in very ideal weather conditions. Further tests must be done to develop the performance envelop of the UCAV and to realize how it handles, extreme maritime conditions, such as high winds, storms, or rough seas, which can affect its ability to take off and land safely.
Further more deploying the TB-3 on a warship introduces logistical and operational challenges. Maintaining the UAV’s systems, sensors, and engine at sea requires specialized equipment and skilled personnel. Harsh maritime environments, including saltwater exposure and rough sea conditions, can accelerate wear and tear, increasing maintenance demands. However Turkish Navy is already using TB-2, ANKA and AKSUNGUR UCAV from land. Therefore, it will not a big challenge for the Turkish Navy to adapt to deploy UCAV on board of a warship and operate them.
Bayraktar TB-3’s deployment aboard the TCG Anadolu marks a new era in naval aviation. Its multifunctional design and advanced capabilities promise to redefine maritime operations, ensuring Türkiye remains at the forefront of technological and operational innovation
