| introduction = 2024 (planned)<!--date the aircraft entered or will enter military or revenue service-->
| introduction = 2024 (planned)<!--date the aircraft entered or will enter military or revenue service-->
| retired = <!--date the aircraft left military or revenue service. If vague or multiples, it probably should be skipped-->
| retired = <!--date the aircraft left military or revenue service. If vague or multiples, it probably should be skipped-->
| status = Indevelopment<!--in most cases, this field is redundant; use it sparingly -->
| status = Flight Testing<!--in most cases, this field is redundant; use it sparingly -->
| primary user = [[Turkish Armed Forces]] (intended)<!--Limit one (1) primary user. Top 4 users listed in 'primary user' and 'more users' fields based on number of their fleets. -->
| primary user = [[Turkish Armed Forces]] (intended)<!--Limit one (1) primary user. Top 4 users listed in 'primary user' and 'more users' fields based on number of their fleets. -->
The Baykar Bayraktar TB3 is a Turkish medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of short-range landing and take-off, produced by Baykar. According to the initial plans, the ship TCG Anadolu was expected to be equipped with Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighter jets but the vessel entered a modification process to allow it to be able to accommodate UAVs such as Bayraktar TB3 following the removal of Turkey from the F-35 procurement program. [2][dead link]
Development
The Bayraktar TB3 was first unveiled by Selçuk Bayraktar on October 29, 2020. In his announcement, Bayraktar mentioned the testing of a domestic engine, presumed to be the PD-170 or its derivative, which would be integrated into the Bayraktar Akıncı HALE UAV and the Bayraktar TB3. Describing the engine as having "by far the highest performance values in its class, worldwide", Selçuk Bayraktar highlighted its capabilities.
Selçuk Bayraktar later elaborated on the Bayraktar TB3, stating, "We are developing an aircraft that lands and takes off from an aircraft carrier, unique in its class. It has folding wings, can land on an aircraft carrier, and can carry heavier munitions. It is around 1200 kilograms."[3]
The developer of TB3, Baykar Defense, shared the first computer-generated images of the deployed TB3 on TCG Anadolu, which is the first amphibious assault ship of Turkey, on July 21, 2021, via Twitter. It was revealed that the TB3 would operate alongside Bayraktar Kızılelma, which is equipped with a jet engine.[4]
Development Timeline
27 March 2023: First prototype of the TB3 has been made public.[5]
13 October 2023: Successful completion of TB3's first test run.[6]
20 October 2023: Conducted the initial take-off and landing test, achieving high speeds and briefly took the wheels off from the ground, without fully flying into the sky.[7]
Operational range: 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km)
Armaments
The Smart Micro Munition (MAM-L) and behind it MAM-C high explosive variantHardpoints: 6 hardpoints for laser-guided smart munition, with provisions to carry combinations of :
