Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 Drone Achieves 32-Hour Continuous Flight in Successful Test

22 December, 2023 Bayraktar TB3 during flight tests. Photo credits: Baykar The latest Turkish Bayraktar TB3 carrier-capable drone completed a 32-hour flight as part of its flight testing.

This achievement was announced by the developer, Baykar, on its website. The testing took place at the Akinci Flight Training and Testing Center in Corlu, where the Bayraktar UAV maintained continuous flight for 32 hours at an average altitude of approximately 6,000 meters. Throughout the test, the drone covered a total distance of about 5.7 thousand kilometers.

The UAV was powered by the new PD-170 turbodiesel engine, developed by the Turkish company TUSAS Engine Industries (TEI).

It's worth noting that Militarnyi reported the first flight of the Turkish Bayraktar TB3 drone on October 20. Earlier, on October 13, the commencement of testing was reported.

Bayraktar TB3

The new drone bears a visual resemblance to the Bayraktar TB2 but boasts larger dimensions and folding wings designed for deployment on aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships. The most recent drones are slated to be stationed on the Turkish TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship.

Following the conclusion of tests, a deployment of 30 to 40 UAVs is planned for the ship's deck. Moreover, a command center for TB3 will be positioned on the ship, enabling the simultaneous use of at least 10 drones in operations.

TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship. Photo from open sources

The Bayraktar TB3 surpasses its predecessor in every aspect.

It can support a payload of up to 280 kg, with a maximum takeoff weight of 1450 kg.

The declared flight duration of the TB3 exceeds 50 hours, and it boasts a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour.

Equipped with six hardpoints for missile and bomb weapons, coupled with its substantial carrying capacity, the drone is capable of employing a diverse array of modern precision weapons.