Advancements and Deployment of Turkish UAVs: A Strategic Overview

[Combat-Master]

ROKETSAN - STM | Alpagut loitering munition with 60km range and 60min loitering time

https://twitter.com/x/status/1585245574218928129

View: https://twitter.com/SavunmaSanayiST/status/1585245574218928129?s=20

 

[Combat-Master]

Roketsan and Baykar signed an agreement to integrate SUNGUR VSHORAD to TB2 and AKINCI UCAVs

IIR Seeker
8.5km Range
15kg weight

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmwDIAPRCio

 

[Combat-Master]

Images ahead of the Polish TB2 delivery ceremony, note added antennas and larger air intake for the engines

 

[Combat-Master]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1585962762290827264

View: https://twitter.com/Poland_MOD/status/1585962762290827264?s=20&t=tHhscPyoPrkJYB2kT96XOg

 

[Combat-Master]

"Export agreements were signed with 24 countries for Bayraktar TB2 and with 5 countries for AKINCI. There is demand for KIZILELMA from much larger countries. But we are advancing the program completely independently with our own resources."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1586280677720621056

View: https://twitter.com/TyrannosurusRex/status/1586280677720621056?s=20&t=ovo9B1T2x_WZeZqZLX-_IQ

 

[Canardzz]

Erdal Subaşı, who visited the BAYKAR stand at SAHA EXPO, has said the following...

-I spoke to BAYKAR employees
-Kızılelma went to Çorlu, and went through durability tests
-A documentary is being shot, it is expected to be around 40 minutes
-First flight expected in December or January
-No need for a wind tunnel (?)

 

[Combat-Master]

Wheel hub of TB3 UCAV being developed for carrier operations



Compared to TB2 Wheel Hub

 

[dumpster4]

Bayraktar to get AAMs

"Turkish combat drone maker Baykar hopes “soon” to be able to counter “kamikaze” drones in Ukraine, such as the Russian-operated Iranian drones recently threatening critical infrastructure, the company’s CEO told dpa.

“Soon our Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncıs will have air-to-air missiles; not only to engage drones but other enemy aircraft … we are doing our tests,” Haluk Bayraktar said during a defence fair in Istanbul."

See:

Homepage - War Is Boring

From drones to AKs, high technology to low politics.

warisboring.com

 

[Combat-Master]

Bayraktar to get AAMs

"Turkish combat drone maker Baykar hopes “soon” to be able to counter “kamikaze” drones in Ukraine, such as the Russian-operated Iranian drones recently threatening critical infrastructure, the company’s CEO told dpa.

“Soon our Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncıs will have air-to-air missiles; not only to engage drones but other enemy aircraft … we are doing our tests,” Haluk Bayraktar said during a defence fair in Istanbul."

See:

Homepage - War Is Boring

From drones to AKs, high technology to low politics.

warisboring.com

Roketsan and Baykar signed an agreement to integrate SUNGUR VSHORAD to TB2 and AKINCI UCAVs

IIR Seeker
8.5km Range
15kg weight

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmwDIAPRCio

 

[Combat-Master]

Mini E/W Pod developed specifically for TB2 UCAV has received an update and additional capabilities not announced.
View attachment 686280

Confirmed that TB2 have been using Mini E/W pod for at least 2 years already, and has played an essential part in reducing effectiveness of Adversaries Air Defence systems.

 

[Combat-Master]

Family of E/O developed by Aselsan

 

[Combat-Master]

ASELSAN/ROKETSAN co-developed loitering munition RIHAM-C

System features
• Weight : ~15kg
• Flight Time: >30min (with 3.5kg payload)
• Cruising Speed: ~ 45km/h
• Diving Speed: ~300km/h
• Communication : 5km
• Operating Temperature: -20°C /+52°C
• Max Mission Altitude: 4,000m
• 3.5kg Tri-Mode Warhead (Anti Armour, Anti Personnel and Incendiary)
• 2 Axis Moving Gyro Stabilized Gimbal
• According to Operational Needs Thermal and/or Day Cameras



It will have the exact 3.5kg warhead used on Cirit and MAM-C missiles

View: https://youtu.be/jFIe3_ldJeg?t=18

 

[Canardzz]

Turkish Aerospace Industries is developing a jet powered 6+ ton UCAV. As per multiple sources including savunmasanayist, the aircraft's "parts production and assembly is in full swing". First flight expected next year.

It is not yet known what the aircraft will resemble. TAI has kept the overall development of the aircraft a total secret up until now. But according to TAI's roadmap released years ago, the UAV in question could be the TISU. TISU/MIUS is a flying wing platform as the rendering clearly indicates.

 

[red admiral]

I thought that MIUS was Kızılelma from the previous reporting? Or is it Requirement name vs Product name?

 

[Canardzz]

I thought that MIUS was Kızılelma from the previous reporting? Or is it Requirement name vs Product name?

MIUS is Kızılelma, yes. TAI's render has always been referred to as TISU instead of MIUS tho. It probably is a placeholder name and design. But it could give us an idea regardless.

 

[Canardzz]

Small correction regarding the jet powered drone TAI is developing...

7+ tonnes is the figure. Not 6+ as previously stated.

 

[Combat-Master]

I thought that MIUS was Kızılelma from the previous reporting? Or is it Requirement name vs Product name?

MIUS is an abbreviation of Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi - English: Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System.
TISU is an abbreviation of Türk İnsansız Savaş Uçağını - English: Turkish Unmanned Fighter Aircraft.

 

[red admiral]

Thanks. Are these programme names? e.g. in the US the F-22 Raptor was under the Advanced Tactical Fighter programme

 

[Canardzz]

Thanks. Are these programme names? e.g. in the US the F-22 Raptor was under the Advanced Tactical Fighter programme

MIUS for instance was the official name of the program, not the aircraft itself. So these are program names for sure.

 

[Combat-Master]

It's been announced that TAI is developing GOKSUNGUR HALE type UAV based off AKSUNGUR UAV. GOKSUNGUR will be powered by turboprop engines and will have a bump in cruise speed to get to theatre of operation quicker.

TUSAŞ İnsansız Savaş Uçağı ve GÖKSUNGUR İçin Çalışıyor

TUSAŞ, İnsansız Savaş Uçağı ve GÖKSUNGUR İHA için çalışmalarını sürdürüyor. İnsansız Savaş Uçağı'nın üretim faaliyetleri devam ediyor.

www.savunmasanayist.com

 

[Combat-Master]

CGI - Kizilelma with external weapons load

Akinci UCAV with SOM-J cruise missile on centre line payload

 

[Combat-Master]

Pakistani drone operator receiving training in Turkey - Akinci is carry 4x Turkish Small Diameter Bombs in centre pylon

 

[Canardzz]

Kızılelma with its latest known configuration. Note the stealthy actuator covers.

 

[Forest Green]

It seems that the #Bayraktar are active again Video with several attacks on different targets, two tanks (I think T-72B3 and T-62M) at least one 2S3 Akatsiya and other unidentified targets Zone or date of the attacks, unspecified.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1589915444680400897

 

[Combat-Master]

Yet to be confirmed; apparently Italy has put in a request for Turkish drones

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594004528474488834

View: https://twitter.com/AceJaceu/status/1594004528474488834?s=20&t=JS-mH9SpQ2y1zldKCQaKbw

 

[Canardzz]

Kızılelma

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594289368608514048

View: https://twitter.com/SavunmaSanayiST/status/1594289368608514048?s=20&t=RFLuLyR4LkXeZIp1nmwISw

 

[Canardzz]

Taxi tests complete! She will fly in a very short time!

 

[snne]

Interesting design choice...


I wonder if it is made to reduce the frontal RCS over long range engagements...

 

[snne]

 

[Canardzz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594318683589025793

View: https://twitter.com/Selcuk/status/1594318683589025793?s=20&t=ph3yLxMZt4Cx1X6CWvL4nw

 

[Canardzz]

 

[Combat-Master]

Interesting design choice...


I wonder if it is made to reduce the frontal RCS over long range engagements...

View attachment 687460View attachment 687461View attachment 687462

Might be for the auxiliary power unit

 

[Canardzz]

Interesting design choice...


I wonder if it is made to reduce the frontal RCS over long range engagements...

View attachment 687460View attachment 687461View attachment 687462

Might be for the auxiliary power unit

bleeder door it seems like

 

[Combat-Master]

Internal weapon bay doors of Kizilelma

Footage from vertical stabilizer camera pods, should contain CCD and IIR cameras

 

[TomcatViP]

Notice also the fragmented flapperons (to decrease RCS impact?)

 

[aonestudio]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZixxELTcCQ

 

[snne]

Interesting design choice...


I wonder if it is made to reduce the frontal RCS over long range engagements...

View attachment 687460View attachment 687461View attachment 687462

Might be for the auxiliary power unit

bleeder door it seems like

They actually turned out to be overpressure relief doors just like in the F-22.

 

[Canardzz]

Notice also the fragmented flapperons (to decrease RCS impact?)

The actuators of KE are not powerful enough I assume. They're using A LOT of actuators, and that results in 18 control surfaces

 

[Trident]

They actually turned out to be overpressure relief doors just like in the F-22.

Nope, auxiliary intakes (spill doors would be oriented the other way round, as they are on the F-22). Think F-5 or Su-27.

 

[Flyaway]

Turkey’s Fighter-Like Drone Emerges For Taxi Tests

With stealthy features and high speed, the Kizilelma drone is a far more advanced offering than the famous TB2.

swp.thedrive.com