At SAHA EXPO 2022 held at the Istanbul Expo Center, TEI CEO Mahmut Faruk Akshit announced the delivery of new PD170 turbodiesel aircraft engines for the Bayraktar TB3 of SİHA. This was reported by the Turkish publication Defense Turk.

“The engines we have developed are the best engines in the world for high altitude flights, there is no other engine for UAVs in this class that exceeds 9 thousand meters. AKSUNGUR can reach this height with our engines, they stayed in the air for 49 hours without stopping. Finally, we delivered our engines for TB3 from this PD170 series. and Baykar Defense is busy integrating them” – said Mahmut Faruk Aksit.

Bayraktar TB3 SİHA is scheduled to make its first flight this year. This drone can be launched from short-runway ships. Therefore, Baykar Teknoloji’s development is planned to be used on the landing craft ANADOLU for the first time. The Bayraktar TB3 will also have a higher payload than its predecessor: 280 kg versus 150 kg. And folding wings will make the UAV more convenient for transportation.

The development will be the first MALE-class UAV designed for take-off and landing from ships. For this reason, Bayraktar TB3 can be called an important success for Turkey in the field of naval aviation. After the tests, the new UAV is planned to be deployed to the landing craft TCG Anadolu in a group of 30 to 40 units.

Bayraktar TB3 SİHA systems will be able to land and take off using the Anadolu deck. The command center, which will be integrated into Anatolia, will be able to use at least 10 Bayraktar TB3 SİHAs in operations at the same time. According to the company, the drones will be able to land on the deck of the ship even without a special hook due to its features.

“The drone is distinguished by the ability to take off and land on sea ships with a short runway, which many analogues in the world do not have”– said Selcuk Bayraktar.

Let us remind you that on October 28, the general manager of the Turkish company, Baykar Halyuk Bayraktar, announced that the detailed design phase of the facility for the production of UAVs in Ukraine has been completed. Turkish defense company Baykar plans to complete the construction of its new production facility in Ukraine within two years. Halyuk Bayraktar stated that the establishment plans of the power plant are progressing despite some obstacles caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.