The Bayraktar TB3, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Baykar, continues to advance through its testing campaign and has reached another historic milestone: the firing of a supersonic UAV-122 missile from a tactical UCAV at over 50 kilometers — the first event of its kind recorded in modern warfare history.
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On March 27, 2025, the Bayraktar TB3 took off from the Dalaman district in Turkey’s Muğla province, equipped with the UAV-122 missile manufactured by Roketsan. The test was carried out at an altitude of just 300 feet — below the line of sight — and successfully struck a 6×6 meter target over the sea, 20 km away.
Coordinated Strike with TB2
During the test, the Bayraktar TB2 system was responsible for laser-targeting the objective. The TB3 then executed the strike with precision, proving the effectiveness of the joint operation between the two Turkish UCAVs. Laser designation and coordinated engagement demonstrated strong alignment with the requirements of networked missions.
Pioneering Naval Takeoffs
The Bayraktar TB3 had already made history in November 2024 by taking off from the 12-degree inclined ramp of the TCG Anadolu aircraft carrier, marking the first armed unmanned aircraft operation from a short-deck naval vessel. Since then, the TB3 has completed repeated successful takeoffs and landings without auxiliary equipment.
Another highlight was the maximum altitude test in June 2024, when the TB3 reached 36,310 feet during the High-Altitude System Performance Test, powered by the domestically developed PD-170 engine by TEI. While the absolute altitude record belongs to the Bayraktar AKINCI (45,118 feet), the TB3 demonstrated impressive performance for its class.
To date, the Bayraktar TB3 has accumulated 967 hours and 55 minutes of flight. In December 2023, it completed a nonstop 32-hour flight covering 5,700 kilometers.
Since March 2024, the TB3 has been flying with the ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical system from Aselsan, offering superior recognition, surveillance, and targeting capabilities compared to other similar systems worldwide. With its foldable wing structure and beyond-line-of-sight communication capability, the TB3 is ready for naval and international operations.
The continued success of the Bayraktar TB3 reinforces Turkey’s growing capability in the defense industry, expanding the country’s deterrence power in global scenarios.
Source and images: SavunmaSanayiST.com / Baykar / X @Selcuk. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
