Bayraktar TB3 Makes History with Four Fully Autonomous Sorties from TCG Anadolu

Türkiye’s ambitious unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) program has crossed another major milestone. The Bayraktar TB3, an advanced drone developed by Turkish defence company Baykar, has successfully completed four fully autonomous take-offs and landings from the deck of TCG Anadolu, the country’s largest warship.

This significant achievement took place on 22 April 2025 in the Gulf of Saros. What made this test special was that all four sorties were completed without the support of any landing assistance systems. The final flight was carried out during sunset, showcasing the drone’s capability to operate in challenging light conditions. Baykar confirmed that in-house artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms played a key role in guiding the autonomous operations.

A Record of Continuous Achievements

The Bayraktar TB3 has been actively undergoing ship-based trials since late 2024. It made history on 19 November 2024, when it became the first UCAV in aviation history to perform take-offs and landings from a short-runway vessel. This remarkable feat took place off the coast of Aksaz, Muğla, and was quickly followed by further successful sorties on 26 November 2024.

By now, the Bayraktar TB3 has clocked up a total of 1,016 hours and 42 minutes of flight time. A major part of this was achieved during a record-breaking 32-hour non-stop endurance flight on 20 December 2023, covering an impressive 5,700 kilometres.

Combat-Ready Capabilities

Not just a test platform, the TB3 has also proven its combat potential. On 25 and 27 March 2025, it took part in live-fire trials, launching Roketsan’s UAV-122 supersonic missiles. In one of these tests, the drone successfully hit a camouflaged naval target measuring 6×6 metres using low-altitude, beyond-line-of-sight targeting. This strike was coordinated with a Bayraktar TB2, highlighting the advantage of combined unmanned operations.

Technical Specifications of Bayraktar TB3

In addition to its foldable wings for easy storage aboard ships like the TCG Anadolu, the TB3 carries an advanced ASELFLIR-500 targeting system. Integrated during a test flight on 26 March 2024, this system is claimed to deliver world-class performance in target detection and tracking.

A New Strategic Asset for Türkiye

The Bayraktar TB3 is designed to serve as a force multiplier for the Turkish Navy, capable of conducting long-range reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike missions. Thanks to its ability to operate from naval platforms, Türkiye will be able to extend its unmanned air power far beyond its shores.

All of Baykar’s projects, including the TB3, are entirely self-funded. Since 2003, 83% of the company’s revenue has come from exports. In both 2023 and 2024, Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in export sales annually, making up 90% of its total revenue last year.

Baykar currently holds export agreements with 36 countries worldwide. Its famed Bayraktar TB2 is in service with 34 nations, while its heavy-lift drone AKINCI has been exported to 11.

The company has also been Türkiye’s top defence and aerospace exporter for three consecutive years and was responsible for one-fourth of the sector’s total exports in 2024.

The Bayraktar TB3’s successful autonomous operations from a ship deck mark a significant advancement in naval aviation and unmanned warfare. As Türkiye continues to strengthen its domestic defence industry, platforms like the TB3 are set to become central assets in extending the nation’s reach over both land and sea.

With more live-fire drills, high-altitude tests, and export deals on the horizon, the Bayraktar TB3 is positioning itself as one of the most capable and versatile naval UCAVs in the world.