Baykar Bayraktar TB3
Turkish carrier-based MALE UCAV with folding wings and short-range capability.
The Baykar Bayraktar TB3 is a Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for carrier operations. It is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) system capable of short take-offs and landings, built by Baykar. A joint Turkish-Italian variant is called the Astore Levante.
Selçuk Bayraktar first revealed the TB3 on October 29, 2020, mentioning testing of a domestic engine—likely the TEI-PD170 or a derivative—also planned for the Bayraktar Akıncı. He described the engine as having the highest performance values in its class worldwide. Later, he stated the TB3 is a folding-wing aircraft around 1,200 kilograms, designed to land on and take off from an aircraft carrier and carry heavier munitions, calling it unique in its class. On July 21, 2021, Baykar Defense shared computer-generated images of the TB3 deployed on TCG Anadolu, Turkey’s first amphibious assault ship, noting it would operate alongside the jet-powered Bayraktar Kızılelma.
The first prototype was made public on March 27, 2023. Its first test run succeeded on October 13, 2023, followed by an initial take-off and landing test on October 20 that achieved high speeds and briefly lifted the wheels. The maiden flight occurred on October 27, 2023, two days before the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. On November 11, 2023, it flew with its landing gear retracted for the first time. The first successful ski-jump ramp test, on a mainland ramp replicating TCG Anadolu’s deck, took place on June 1, 2024. On November 19, 2024, the TB3 successfully took off from and landed on TCG Anadolu’s deck, marking the first time a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft of its size and class had done so on a Landing Helicopter Dock repurposed as a drone carrier.
During NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise on February 18, 2026, the TB3 performed a flight demonstration in the Baltic region, operating in strong winds, freezing temperatures, and heavy snowfall. It hit surface targets at sea with two MAM-L precision-guided munitions. The drone then completed an eight-hour joint sortie with multiple German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons over the Baltic Sea, launched from TCG Anadolu—the world’s first military drone carrier ship—covering 1,700 kilometers. It captured aerial video of the Eurofighter using its ASELFLIR 500 electro-optical system, demonstrating manned-unmanned teaming in a multinational drill.
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- Carrier-based unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)
- National Origin
- Turkey
- Manufacturer
- Baykar / [https: · www.leonardo.com/en/business/lba-systems LBA Systems] (joint Baykar and Leonardo partnership)
- Designer
- Baykar
- Primary User
- Turkish Armed Forces
- Number Built
- Unknown number of serial production + 4 prototypes
- Introduction
- September 2025
- First Flight
- 27 October 2023
- Developed From
- Baykar Bayraktar TB2
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Selçuk Bayraktar first unveiled the Bayraktar TB3 on October 29, 2020, mentioning testing of a domestic engine, presumed to be the TEI-PD170 or its derivative, which he described as having 'by far the highest performance values in its class, worldwide.' He later stated the aircraft would be around 1,200 kilograms, have folding wings, and carry heavier munitions. On July 21, 2021, Baykar Defense shared computer-generated images of the TB3 deployed on TCG Anadolu, revealing it would operate alongside the jet-powered Bayraktar Kızılelma.
The development timeline includes the first prototype being made public on March 27, 2023, the first test run on October 13, 2023, and the maiden flight on October 27, 2023, two days before the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. The first ski-jump ramp test occurred on June 1, 2024, on a mainland ramp replicating TCG Anadolu's deck. On November 19, 2024, the TB3 successfully took off from and landed on the deck of TCG Anadolu, marking the first time a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft of this size and class had done so on an LHD repurposed as a drone carrier.
Reader's Guide
The Bayraktar TB3's significance lies in its pioneering role as a carrier-based fixed-wing UCAV, demonstrated by its successful operations from TCG Anadolu, the world's first military drone carrier ship. Its operational history includes a notable flight demonstration on February 18, 2026, during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise in the Baltic region, where it operated in strong winds, freezing temperatures, and heavy snowfall, hit surface targets with MAM-L munitions, and completed an eight-hour joint sortie with German Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. This mission marked a significant integration of unmanned aerial vehicles with advanced fighter jets in a multinational drill, demonstrating manned-unmanned teaming and the drone's capability to operate within high-intensity alliance maneuvers. The TB3's joint Turkish-Italian variant, Astore Levante, incorporates Leonardo systems such as the LEOSS-T EO/IR and Osprey 30 AESA radar, while retaining the same weapons. Future operators include Indonesia (60 TB3s ordered in February 2025), Italy (for use on Cavour), and Spain (initial conversations as of May 2026).
Did You Know?
- The Bayraktar TB3 was first unveiled by Selçuk Bayraktar on October 29, 2020.
- On November 19, 2024, the TB3 became the first fixed-wing unmanned aircraft of its size and class to take off and land on a Landing Helicopter Dock repurposed as a drone carrier.
- Indonesia ordered 60 TB3 UAVs in February 2025.
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