TAI’s Anka-3, Turkey’s groundbreaking stealth UCAV, made history with its public debut and advanced capabilities in remote-controlled combat missions.
The Anka-3, an advanced stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, showcases Turkey’s progress in aerial defense with its tailless design, high payload capacity, and unique capability for coordinated operations with manned aircraft. Making its first public appearance at TEKNOFEST 2024, Anka-3 demonstrates sixth-generation warplane concepts, enhancing Turkey’s defense capabilities and setting a new benchmark in UAV technology.
TAI’s Leap into the Future of Aerial Warfare
Turkey’s defense industry has achieved a significant milestone with the development of TUSAŞ Anka-3, a tailless, stealthy, unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to redefine modern warfare. Powered by a high-performance turbofan engine and engineered for stealth, the Anka-3 project highlights Turkey’s increasing sophistication in aerospace technology under the auspices of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
Historic Debut at TEKNOFEST 2024
Anka-3 made its highly anticipated public flight debut at TEKNOFEST 2024 in Adana on October 3, 2024, capturing widespread attention with its unique design and advanced capabilities. The UCAV achieved a critical technological feat shortly after, on October 30, 2024, when it executed a target allocation and control mission in coordination with TAI’s Hürjet, a domestically-produced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. This marked Anka-3 as the first unmanned aerial vehicle in Turkey to operate under a sixth-generation fighter concept, where the UCAV could be managed from another aircraft, showcasing an unprecedented level of interoperability.
Development Timeline and Secrecy
The Anka-3 project has been enveloped in secrecy since its early stages. Initial design visuals were unexpectedly revealed by the Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak on December 24, 2022. However, these early images were not officially verified, leading to speculation about the project’s true capabilities. Temel Kotil, then General Manager of TAI, later confirmed that a small-scale prototype of Anka-3 had successfully conducted its first flight. By March 2023, Kotil announced the imminent completion of a full-sized prototype, which made its first public appearance on March 18, 2023. The aircraft’s first full-scale flight occurred on December 28, 2023, cementing its position as a breakthrough in Turkey’s UAV portfolio.
Revolutionary Design and Capabilities
Anka-3’s design sets it apart from other unmanned systems currently in operation. Leaked images indicate a unique V-shaped structure, with no visible vertical or horizontal stabilizers, contributing to its stealth capabilities. It’s equipped with an internal weapons bay, designed to carry various payloads while reducing radar visibility. The UCAV is powered by a single TEİ TF6000 turbofan engine, which delivers 6,000 pounds of thrust, enabling a high maximum speed of 835 km/h and a service ceiling of 40,000 feet. The aircraft can maintain operations for up to 10 hours, ensuring a long operational range crucial for extended missions.
With a take-off weight projected at 7 tons, Anka-3’s design also supports ship-based operations, allowing it to take off from and land on surface warships like aircraft carriers and landing helicopter docks (LHDs). This capability will enable Turkey’s navy to extend its reach, potentially integrating Anka-3 into carrier strike groups and further enhancing its versatility.
Performance and Technical Specifications
The Anka-3 is equipped with a variety of cutting-edge specifications:
- Maximum Speed: 835 km/h
- Service Altitude: 40,000 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 44,000 ft
- Useful Payload Capacity: 1,200 kg
- Engine: TEİ TF6000, providing 6,000 lbs of thrust
- Endurance: 10 hours of continuous operation
These capabilities underscore the Anka-3’s dual purpose as both a long-endurance and high-speed UCAV capable of undertaking complex missions, from reconnaissance to direct combat.
Implications for the Future of Turkish Defense
The Anka-3 not only represents Turkey’s technical prowess but also signals the country’s ambition to secure a position among the global leaders in military UAVs. The incorporation of sixth-generation warplane concepts into Anka-3’s architecture, particularly through collaborative operations with manned aircraft, introduces new strategic possibilities for networked warfare, enabling Turkey’s armed forces to carry out precision-targeted and synchronized attacks across multiple platforms.
Conclusion
Anka-3’s successful debut signals a new era in Turkey’s military aviation strategy, reflecting the nation’s commitment to bolstering its domestic defense capabilities. With further advancements on the horizon, TAI’s UCAV is poised to play a critical role in Turkey’s national defense strategy and could inspire similar projects around the world. The Anka-3 embodies a fusion of advanced technology, innovative design, and operational flexibility—an achievement that has placed Turkey at the forefront of the modern aerial combat arena.
