The Anka-3 is a flying wing type and jet-powered stealth UCAV currently in development by Turkish Aerospace Industries.[4][5][6] It is one of two Turkish jet-powered stealth UCAVs developed as part of Project MIUS, along with the Bayraktar Kızılelma.

TAI Anka-3
Role Stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries
First flight 28 December 2023[1][2][3]
Status Prototype flight testing

Background edit

The runway tests of the Anka-3 began in April 2023.[7][8][9] Its maiden flight took place on 28 December 2023.[1][10][2][3] The UCAV was airborne for one hour and ten minutes. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 6.5 tonnes, and a payload capacity of 1,200 kg, cruise speed of 250 kn (460 km/h; 290 mph), maximum airspeed of Mach 0.7 (860 km/h; 530 mph), service ceiling of 12,000 m (39,000 ft), maximum ceiling of 40,000 ft (12,000 m). It is able to carry 650 kg (1,430 lb) of ammunition at each of the two stations inside the fuselage, 650 kg (1,430 lb) of ammunition at each of the wing inner stations, and 100 kg (220 lb) of ammunition at each of the outer stations. In this way, the integration of many options can be achieved, from the most commonly used ammunition in today's UAVs to large ammunition such as Roketsan SOM-J, MAM, Mk82 and bunker busters.[11]

See also edit

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References edit

  1. ^ a b Newdick, Thomas (28 December 2023). "Turkey's ANKA-3 Flying Wing Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Flies". The Drive. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Turkish Stealth Drone Makes Debut Flight After Years of Secrecy". Bloomberg. 29 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Turkey's ANKA III Fighter Drone Makes Debut Flight". Bloomberg Television. 29 December 2023.
  4. ^ Şahan, Fazlı (24 December 2022). "İşte Anka-3". Yeni Şafak (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  5. ^ Azman, Kaan (24 December 2022). "TUSAŞ ANKA-3 MİUS'un ilk görselleri paylaşıldı!". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  6. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (19 March 2023). "Turkey's ANKA-3 Flying Wing Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Emerges". The Drive. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  7. ^ Yıldırım, Göksel (26 April 2023). "İnsansız savaş uçağı ANKA-3 ilk kez piste çıktı, uçuşa hazırlanıyor". Anadolu Agency (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  8. ^ "New Turkish Stealth Drone Anka-3 Revealed". Defence Labs. 26 April 2023.
  9. ^ Alican Ayanlar (12 May 2023). "NexTech: Türkiye's Air Strategy – More Homegrown Hardware and Options". TRT World.
  10. ^ "ANKA-3 Ankara semalarında! İlk uçuşunu gerçekleştirdi..." Hürriyet (in Turkish). 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Anka-3 gökyüzüyle buluştu". TRT Haber (in Turkish). 28 December 2023. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.