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Turkish TB3 UCAV takes off and lands “autonomously” on TCG Anadolu amphibious attack ship

Posted on by Gerres
Turkish TB3 UCAV takes off and lands “autonomously” on TCG Anadolu amphibious attack ship

The second TB3 prototype made its first flight from the ship, which is intended to serve as a dedicated drone carrier, after testing on land-based ski jumps. Producer Baykar stated that the landing took place autonomously.

Turkish Bayraktar TB3 UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle), naval version Bayraktar TB2 the attack drone took off and landed back on the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship on November 19, 2024, developer Baykar announced. Chief Technology Officer at Bayraktar Selçuk Bayraktar and other Turkish defense accounts reported that the landing was carried out by a drone fully autonomously.

It was already known that the test flight would take place soon as the drone was practicing operating from the land-based ski hill for several months starting in May 2024. This amphibious attack vehicle is also a helicopter carrier and specialized UAV carrier and has been seen carrying before prototype Kizilelma In the past UCAV and TB3.

Before the last flight, November 18, Bayraktar sent photos of TB3 taking off from a ski ramp during sunset. Daily Sabah. said the drone has conducted six such tests so far. According to Turkish information, the TB3 propeller pusher, which has foldable wings for maritime applications, was already scheduled to be tested and then eventually operated from the TCG Anadolu. reports AND Bayraktarstatements.

Test

The prototype that flew from Anadolu was the PT-2, which in a video posted by Baykar was shown lifting its crew onto the deck using the stern elevator. According to the Turkish Defense News Service, the drone turned on its TEI PD170 engine and took off using the STOL (short takeoff) method from TCG Anadolu’s ramp at an angle of 12 degrees. Mahi Vatan. The test flight lasted 46 minutes.

A camera mounted on the right wing shows the drone retracting its landing gear and flying in a pattern, mostly around the aircraft carrier. It then lowers the landing gear again and begins its approach. The drone also appears to lack the large electro-optical turret on its underside, which has been seen on other models on display at defense shows. Footage from a camera mounted on the dual tail gimbal of the drone mounted on an inverted V boom, shows the full approach and landing sequence with various kinematic and telemetry readings.

Screenshot of footage from the camera on the rear inverted V joint, showing the flight control display and readings as TB3 lands on TCG Anadolu. (Photo: Baykar via Turkish Defense Agency on X)

TB3 landed on the flight deck, and Baykar said the maneuver was fully autonomous. The aircraft’s own braking system was used to stop it 202 meters (662 ft) long crew cabin, without the use of a retaining hook.

There was a slight crosswind during landing, he said another news about Turkish defense, “Tr_tech”. However, the autonomous flight algorithms held up and correctly “processed data from sensors… dominating the actuators and PD170,” leading to a “perfect landing.”

In a recent similar test, the Republic of Korea Navy’s Dokdo amphibious assault vehicle observed a General Atomics Gray Eagle STOL unmanned aircraft take off on its first such test flight on November 12, 2024, even though its deck is even smaller at 199 meters (653 feet). This drone, however, was fully operated by GA-ASI personnel, both from the ship and from the Pohang Naval Air Base where it landed, not to mention autonomous operations.

The post from “Tr_tech” added that another prototype, PT-1, was also used in the same test campaign. In fact, both airframes that successfully completed ground tests took off from the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan and arrived at the Dalaman Airfield Command. Over the next few days, the PT-1 performed “close-in flights” over TCG Anadolu during the day and night, ultimately passing “approach tests.”

Role in the Turkish Navy

TurDef reports that TB3 “will operate primarily as an armed ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) platform with an endurance of 21 to 36 hours, depending on payload.” Its primary role would be to patrol around the TCG Anadolu LHD (landing helicopter dock) during landing operations.

The Turkish Navy also operates American S-70B Sea Hawk and AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters, which were aboard Anadolu while sailing. As a NATO member, Turkey has also designed the ship to be compatible with alliance equipment, as evidenced by the US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, which landed on this topic August 15, 2024

TB3 made its maiden flight in October 2023 reports a year later it reported that it had entered mass production, with export orders expected in early 2025. It is not yet clear whether there are other differences between the export version and the one tested with TCG Anadolu, or whether there is a third prototype. It is also unknown whether the one that has entered production is another version for the Turkish Air Force or Army.

TB3 Anadolu
Bayraktar TB3 takes off from the TCG Anadolu ski ramp, November 19, 2024 (Photo: Baykar)

With a payload of up to 280 kg, the TB3 can carry MAM series air-to-ground munitions, TOLUN SDB (small diameter bomb), KEMANKEŞ 1 loitering munition and SUNGUR air-to-air missile, in addition to the EO/IR system, TurDef in addition. The drone is also compatible with other sensors, such as ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys and AESA (Active Electronicly Scanned Array) radar.