Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has achieved another significant milestone in the ANKA-3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) project, developed entirely with domestic capabilities. ANKA-3, Turkey’s first Vertical Tailless Turbofan Engine UAV, successfully completed its inaugural flight.
The first flight of ANKA-3, the third member of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) family, lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes. Reaching 8,000 feet, ANKA III achieved a speed of 150 knots. Taking off from the runway at 08:38 (local time) on the morning of December 28, ANKA III also conducted a runway overshoot test during this flight. The HÜRKUŞ Basic Training Aircraft and ANKA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, developed with domestic capabilities by the Turkish Aerospace Industries, accompanied ANKA-3 during its flight.
ANKA-3, a next-generation UAV system, is capable of performing various tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence; attack with different air-to-ground munitions; engage enemy helicopters, propeller-driven aircraft, and UAVs with air-to-air munitions; scan for prey; neutralize enemy radar emitting RF signals and air defense systems; provide protection to friendly forces in the air and on the ground; signal and communication intelligence; electronic warfare; and serve as an operational and communication relay with other friendly elements.
The ANKA-3 system can carry a payload of 650 kg on each of the two stations within the fuselage, 650 kg on each wing station, and 100 kg on each external station. This allows for the integration of various munitions, from commonly used UAV munitions to larger ones such as SOM-J, MK-82, and SDB.
Performance:
- Maximum Cruise Speed: 0.7 Mach
- Service Ceiling: 40,000 ft.
- Payload Capacity: 1200 kg
- Endurance: 10 hours
Commenting on the first flight of ANKA III, TAI General Manager Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil stated, “Congratulations. May Allah protect our country. Now we have a UAV in the sky that the enemy cannot see but can see the enemy. May fortune favor us.”
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
