Bayraktar Tactical UAV Hit the Target
Tactical class UAV Bayraktar TB2 manufactured by the Baykar Makine and included in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces in the previous period, executed the first armed flight and firing test on 17th December 2015. Two MAM missiles that are the engineless configuration produced for the unmanned aerial vehicles of the UMTAS anti-tank missile manufactured by Roketsan were utilized during the firing test realized after a-year-long study.
Following an intense labor of a year, Bayraktar TB2 took-off with the ammunition of 22,5kg placed under both of its wings. Under convenient weather conditions, Bayraktar TB2 was fired with a free fall from an altitude of 16.000 feet and a range of 8 kms. The laser guided missile was directed to the 2x2 metered target on the ground from the operator at the ground station and the target was hit directly. TB2 Bayraktar, hitting the target right on, accomplished a successful landing with the remaining ammunition under its other wing. With this hit, a firing from an UAV of tactical class was realized for the first time following the firing tests of Anka’s MALE class with the “Cirit” missile.
Bayraktar’s General Manager Mr. Haluk Bayraktar shared the details of the firing test with the public at the UAV Road Map Seminar organized by SETA and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries. “We achieved 100 percent success at these precise firing tests. The weather conditions of that day were not as we expected and we accomplished the flight in overcast. Despite these negative conditions, we accomplished the mission success fully” said Mr. Bayraktar. Stating that the Bayraktar TB2 has endurance,24 hours operationally with its 50kg payload camera system, Bayraktar added, “With this ammunition we currently have three alternatives. We are able to integrate the “Bozok” developed by TÜBİTAK Sage, MAM-C and MAM-L missile systems of Roketan to the UAV. We were capable of accomplishing flights for 27 hours with payload camera system. With the 22.5kg ammunition and 52kg Gimbal, we are able to operate for up to 17 hours”
With the smart micro ammunition developed and manufactured by Roketsan and unveiled at IDEF 2013, the targets at a range of 8 km can be hit through free fall from high altitudes. No engines are utilized in the smart system, and ammunition direction systems and more explosive warheads could be installed into the remaining part. No additional propulsion systems are required in the system that could be launched from high altitudes.
