The integration of indigenous munitions and sub-components into the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, an original aircraft indigenously developed by Baykar as part of Project AKINCI under the Defense Industry Agency’s leadership, continues successfully. In this context, Bayraktar AKINCI has passed a major firing test with flying colors. Developed indigenously and originally by Baykar, Bayraktar AKINCI successfully completed a firing test at sea. Having taken off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirda? with mini smart munitions and ASELFLIR-500, Bayraktar AKINCI struck a fixed naval target from an altitude of 30,000 feet with MAM-T munitions during the test’s initial stage. During the second phase, the indigenous UCAV destroyed an Albatros USV, which was cruising at sea, from the same altitude. Bayraktar AKINCI’s successful performance in firing tests against naval targets showcased its impact in the Blue Homeland.
Bayraktar AKINCI had destroyed an Albatros USV for the first time with the ASELFLIR-500 Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting System (developed indigenously by Aselsan) during another firing test on 22 February. During the February 24 test, Bayraktar AKINCI C remained airborne for more than one hour as its aerodynamic parameters were successfully tested. Powered by two 850-horsepower engines (1700 HP total), Bayraktar AKINCI C will be the most effective and skilled combat platform in its class. Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV completed its maiden flight on 6 December 2019 and entered the Turkish military’s inventory on 29 August 2021. More recently, Bayraktar AKINCI A (2x450HP) and Bayraktar AKINCI B (2x750HP) entered the inventory of the Turkish security forces as well as friendly and allied nations including Azerbaijan.
Bayraktar AKINCI (Raider) is a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) being manufactured by the Turkish defence company Baykar. The first three units entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces on 29 August 2021.The aircraft has a 5.5+ ton maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), of which over 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) is payload. Ak?nc? is equipped with two turboprop engines of either 450 hp (460 PS; 340 kW) or 750 hp (760 PS; 560 kW), as well as electronic support and ECM systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar, and advanced synthetic-aperture radar. Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, an original aircraft developed indigenously by Baykar, the manufacturer of Türkiye’s first indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles, successfully completed 50,000 flight hours to pass another milestone in the history of Turkish aviation.
Baykar, which has self-financed all its projects since its establishment, generated 83% of its total revenue with exports since launching its UAV R&D program in 2003. According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly’s (TIM) 2021 and 2022 data, Baykar became the top exporter in the defense and aerospace sector. The Defense Industry Agency announced that Baykar was the top exporter within the sector in 2023 with $1.8 billion. Baykar, which generated more than 90% of its revenue from exports in recent years, single-handedly accounted for one third of the defense and aerospace sector’s exports in 2023. Export agreements have been signed with a total of 34 countries –including 33 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV and 9 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV.
