Experienced UAV Bayraktar TB3 is preparing for testing
Ready experienced UAV Bayraktar TB3
The Turkish industry continues work on the Bayraktar family of reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles. Recently, another project of the line with the TB3 index was developed, and a few days ago the construction of the first prototype was completed. In the near future, he will take to the air for the first time, and then take part in one of the exhibitions.
Continuation of the family
The development of a new UAV of the Bayraktar family became known a little over two years ago. In February 2021, the leadership of the Turkish defense industry spoke about the launch of the project with the TB3 index, and also revealed its main features and most interesting details. In the future, the industry leadership and the developer company Baykar Tech announced new information several times.
The goal of the TB3 project is a deep modernization of the existing drone TB2. It was planned to keep the main design solutions, but at the same time increase the apparatus and increase its performance characteristics. In addition, it was necessary to reduce the dependence of production on foreign technologies and components.
Unlike other UAVs of the family, the new Bayraktar TB3 is not intended for the Air Force, but for the Navy. aviation. It was designed taking into account placement on the promising Anadolu amphibious assault ship. On such a UDC, it will be possible to place up to 30-50 folding drones. This does not exclude basing on land airfields.
In the fall of 2021, Baikar management said that work on TB3 is moving forward successfully, and soon the project will move to a new stage. The first flight of an experimental UAV was planned for 2022, but without specifying the date. However, it was not possible to fulfill such plans - flight tests moved several months to the right.
New stage
In recent months, Baykar has been manufacturing the first prototype UAV of a new model. These works were behind schedule, but nevertheless were successfully completed. On March 27, the technical director of the company, Selcuk Bayraktar, published several photos of the built prototype. The pictures were taken in the assembly shop, and the backdrop for the first TB3 was the serial TB2 assembled in parallel.
It is reported that the experienced TB3 is already ready for flight testing. The first flight of this UAV will take place in the coming days. Also, in the very near future, Baykar will begin testing another reconnaissance and strike vehicle, Bayraktar Kızılelma.
While we are talking about the unofficial "premier" of the new development. A full presentation and demonstration of TB3 to the public will take place in a month. It will be held at the Teknofest 2023 aviation exhibition in Istanbul (April 27 - May 1). At the same event, the Kizilelma jet UAV will also be shown.
In the near future, the developer company will have to conduct full-scale tests of experimental drones of two models. How long these events will take is unknown. If they are successful, Baykar Tech will master mass production.
It is assumed that TB3 at the first stage will be manufactured for the Turkish Navy. To equip the Anadolu UDC, at least 30 aircraft are required. In the future, the Turkish command is going to build a similar ship called Trakya. Apparently, it will also be equipped with unmanned aerial systems.
Technical features
The new Bayraktar TB3 UAV is a deep modernization of the previous notorious TB2 product. During its development, the main architectural and layout solutions were preserved. At the same time, some of the components were replaced and newer devices were introduced.
The new TB-3, like its predecessor, is an aircraft with a streamlined fuselage and a pair of thin tail booms, on which an L-shaped tail is placed. The high aspect ratio straight wing is still used. For operation on the carrier ship, the wing is made folding.
The length of the TB3 UAV reaches 8,35 m, the wingspan is 14 m. The maximum takeoff weight was declared at the level of 1450 kg, of which 280 kg will be the payload. For comparison, the previous TB2 had a span of only 12 m, weighed 700 kg and carried a 150 kg payload.
For the new Bayraktar, Tusaş Engine Industries has developed a promising PD170 aviation diesel engine with a power of up to 170 hp, depending on the flight mode. The engine is placed in the rear fuselage; between the beams is a pusher propeller. The maximum speed, according to calculations, will reach 300 km / h, cruising - 230 km / h.
The takeoff and landing characteristics of the device correspond to the features of operation on the carrier ship. Thus, the flight deck of the Anadolu ship has a total length of more than 220 m and is equipped with a bow springboard.
The Bayraktar TB3 UAV received an autopilot capable of solving some tasks - taking off and landing, incl. from the deck, as well as to fly along a given route. At the same time, there is a full-fledged remote control system that provides real-time data exchange, as well as solving reconnaissance and strike tasks. The UAV and the operator station are connected via radio directly, which limits the range of the radio horizon.
The device can be equipped with optoelectronic modules of various types, compatible with on-board equipment. For the effective use of UAVs, a “ball” with a day and night channel, as well as a laser rangefinder-target designator, is required. Regular means of communication will ensure the transmission of a video signal and other data to the operator.
Project appearance of UDC Anadolu with TB3 UAV
The drone of the new model has six external hardpoints (there were four on the TB2) with a total load capacity of 280 kg. Declared the possibility of using a wide range of light guided munitions. The TB3 will be able to carry MAM-series guided bombs, as well as L-UMTAS, Cirit or Bozok anti-tank missiles. In addition, the ammunition load will include a Togan "bomb" based on an 81mm mortar mine and a Kuzgun modular rocket/bomb.
With the bulk of compatible bombs and missiles, the TB3 will be able to attack targets within a radius of several kilometers. At the same time, the Kuzgun product in a configuration with a rocket engine will be able to fly 230-240 km, however, the UAV carries only one such product, due to its large mass and size.
Design potential
In fact, the new Turkish UAV Bayraktar TB3 is an improved and enlarged modification of the existing and well-known TB2. In general, this characterizes the project well and shows its overall potential. At the same time, there are some interesting innovations that provide clear advantages over its predecessor.
Due to the increase in weight and dimensions, the new UAV is able to carry an increased payload. In addition, it was possible to develop an increased power engine, which gave an increase in speed and flight range. At the same time, in the context of the power plant and control devices, the Turkish industry has reduced dependence on foreign supplies or completely got rid of it.
Of particular interest in the new TB3 project is the possibility of operating a UAV on a surface carrier. The drone has a foldable design that allows it to be stored on a minimum hangar or flight deck area. There are also navigation and control tools adapted to work from a mobile platform. Measures may have been taken to protect the structure from corrosion typical of offshore operation.
Placement on a universal landing ship with a flight deck in theory gives the new Bayraktar a number of new operational capabilities. Thus, the launch of the UAV is no longer tied to ground airfields, which may be at a disadvantage. The carrier ship is able to deliver drones to the optimal launch area. At the same time, there are dozens of aircraft on board, and several can be in the air at the same time.
Depending on the tasks and current conditions, different tasks can be solved. "Anadolu" or another similar ship will be able to land amphibious assault and support it from the air with the help of drones. Also, the UDC can only be used as a mobile floating airfield and ensure the operation of unmanned systems without landing troops.
It is assumed that the UAV and UDC will be able to complement each other and give the fleet new combat and operational capabilities. They will be able to more effectively solve all the main tasks and, possibly, master new missions. However, the real potential of the drone and its deck application will become known only after the test results.
Further development
Over the past years, the Turkish industry has been seriously engaged in the development of medium and heavy class unmanned aerial vehicles with reconnaissance and strike capabilities. Several projects of such equipment have been created, and some samples have entered service. In addition, thanks to the efforts of the armies of several countries, the serial Bayraktar TB2 UAV received good publicity, which contributed to new sales.
A direct development of the well-known TB2 is now the new TB3. It is expected that it will have great advantages over its predecessor and will give the operator new opportunities. However, it is not yet known how realistic such estimates are, since the first experimental TB3 is just getting ready for testing. Its real potential will become known only after test flights and experiments with target equipment and weapons.
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