The Bayraktar TB3, the world’s first armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of taking off and landing from short-deck naval vessels, has marked another major milestone in aviation and defense technology. In a test conducted on March 25 in Muğla’s Dalaman district, Bayraktar TB3 successfully launched the Roketsan-developed IHA-122 Supersonic Missile, striking a sea-based target measuring 6x6 meters from a range exceeding 50 kilometers. This successful test not only demonstrated the TB3’s advanced munitions integration capabilities but also underscored Turkey’s growing expertise in supersonic missile technology.

In a coordinated mission, the Bayraktar TB2 performed laser target designation, while the TB3 executed the precision strike — achieving a first-of-its-kind dual-UAV coordinated engagement. This test validated the seamless communication, targeting, and real-time coordination between two unmanned platforms operating simultaneously in the same airspace, setting a new benchmark for future unmanned combat operations.

Baykar stated that the TB3’s ongoing development process will continue to include extensive munitions and payload integration tests. Previously, the TB3 made aviation history by taking off and landing on the TCG Anadolu, a short-deck amphibious assault ship with a 12-degree ramp, without any external assistance. Equipped with an afterburning PD-170 indigenous engine developed by TEI, the TB3 reached an altitude of 36,310 feet during its high-altitude system performance test. The aircraft also integrates ASELSAN’s ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical targeting system, providing superior imaging and surveillance capabilities compared to its global counterparts.

With its foldable wings and beyond line-of-sight (SATCOM) communication capability, Bayraktar TB3 is designed for long-range missions that extend Turkey’s reach to overseas targets for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike operations. Baykar, which finances all its projects through its own resources, remains a global leader in UAV exports — achieving $1.8 billion in export revenue in 2024, accounting for 90% of its total income.

The successful integration and test of the IHA-122 Supersonic Missile on Bayraktar TB3 mark a critical advancement for Turkey’s defense industry, showcasing its ability to deploy supersonic precision strike capability from unmanned aerial platforms. Defense analysts highlight that this achievement significantly enhances Turkey’s deterrence power and operational flexibility in overseas missions, solidifying its position among the leading nations in unmanned combat systems.