TR UAV/UCAV Programs | Anka - series | Kızılelma | TB - series

[Fuzuli NL]

Fighter Electronic Warfare System it was originally developed for Özgür modernisation project I think

And the U is the Unmanned version of it. Makes sense.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Both Anka-3 and KE are developed using company funds, they are not SSB or MSB projects. Nothing wrong with incurring few of them each into service to fund further development and get to know the platforms during actual testing by the air force.

Both platforms still need some more time to cook, but they are getting there. I don't see IWB as a dealbreaker for platforms as young as these.

KE now flies with "FEWS-U"

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2024788783741194403

Bro,
Testing and integrating is one thing; But to accept a fighter jet in to inventory means it is ready to go out in to battlefield. Currently a number of TB3s are operating from TCG Anadolu. But they are still being tested by Baykar and are still being initiated to be full fighting tools of the part of Anadolu. When a full complement of those UCAVs are on board that ship, that is when they are truly in the operational inventory. (By the way, the NATO exercise has given them fantastic opportunity and testing ground to prove

Same goes for KE. Baykar hasn’t completed the maturation process of the KE yet. If I remember correctly, they are supposed to deliver 6 of those jets to the Airforce this year. They won’t be part of the operational inventory until all particulars of the jet is in working order.
What makes KE so special is it‘s low observability. Without it it is not a big deal.
I mean, look at the ships we build. Even after delivery to the Navy, it takes up to a year before they accept it in to the inventory as fully operational.

I understand and appreciate what you and @MonteCarlo are saying. But these planes have been flying and weapons testing for quite sometime now. I am just as anxious as many here, to see these “low-observable” planes to make use of their primary capability.

 

[Sanchez]

But to accept a fighter jet in to inventory means it is ready to go out in to battlefield.

I don't really agree with this. That process is long and have many layers. Air force by its nature is different than the navy. Air force will take drones into service; they will be IOC later.

I also don't really think IWB is a necessity to take them into service. They will still have many qualities we will like even with reduced lower visibility characteristics.

 

[mehmed beg]

Baykar doesn't really share IP; and it would be vice versa.

I understand that but nevertheless signature and analysis of that can be seen on air force radars

 

[Yasar_TR]

I don't really agree with this. That process is long and have many layers. Air force by its nature is different than the navy. Air force will take drones into service; they will be IOC later.

I also don't really think IWB is a necessity to take them into service. They will still have many qualities we will like even with reduced lower visibility characteristics.

We will have to agree to disagree then.

It is an accepted form that;

A jet fighter is considered ready to be part of the operational inventory when it achieves Initial Operational Capability (IOC). This is a formal, high-level military milestone indicating that a sufficient number of aircraft, trained personnel, and support infrastructure (maintenance, training simulators, logistics) are available to deploy and conduct specific combat missions.

Beyond this it can not be classified as being in inventory. Whether it be drones, aircraft, trainers, ships or tanks . They are just deadweights being readied to be suitable for fighting.

A naval ship is generally considered ready to be part of the active inventory upon commissioning, which signifies it has passed sea trials, met construction milestones, and is officially accepted for service by the navy.

A battle tank is considered ready to be part of an official military inventory when it has passed rigorous inspection, testing, and acceptance procedures, ensuring it is fully operational and compliant with the military's technical standards

 

[TR_123456]

They are talking about KE joining the inventory early this year. Yet this “stealthy” aircraft yet to carry munition and test firing it from its internal weapon bays.
This is not a cheap piece of equipment that can be discarded. All munitions must be carried in its IWB if it needs to stay stealthy.
It is supposed to carry it’s a2a BVR missiles and it‘s air to ground munition like SOM-J in it’s IWB.
It is high time they tested that capability before they deliver these birds to the airforce.

Mind you, same goes for the Anka-3 too!


EDIT

Just been reminded about “Tolun” firing from Anka 3
So Anka-3 is on the right track.

And the engine?

 

[boredaf]

And the engine?

We built a tank, a trainer jet, a 5th gen fighter, 2 stealth drones, helicopters, ships, submarines, armoured vehicles without having domestic engines. I have nightmares about engines at this point.

 

[TR_123456]

We built a tank, a trainer jet, a 5th gen fighter, 2 stealth drones, helicopters, ships, submarines, armoured vehicles without having domestic engines. I have nightmares about engines at this point.

So,what you're saying is that without a domestic engine all the fuss about how good the KE is is just a scene from a Sci-Fi movie? (thinking).

 

[boredaf]

So,what you're saying is that without a domestic engine all the fuss about how good the KE is is just a scene from a Sci-Fi movie? (thinking).

Nah mate, I wouldn't go that far. Is it underpowered, no doubt about that, but as long as it can carry and lob missiles from a standoff range, it'll still be useful to us. I don't believe in dogfights, other than the usual pissing contest between us and the Greek twats, especially when it comes to low observability aircraft. If Murad delivers as good as they have been promising, KE should still be good against anything other than 5th gen aircraft even as it is.

It is kind of a squeaky bum time for us when it comes to KE and Anka-3, we are almost there and I don't think we can go any faster. And you know me mate, I'm an eternal optimist me, I think they are going to build first batches of KE and Anka-3 with engine change in mind so that they can swap them when ours is ready 2028 onwards.

 

[Yasar_TR]

And the engine?

TF6000 is almost ready. It has already produced almost the required thrust. (I caught In an interview Mr Demiroglu mentioning 5970lbf thrust being achieved). By the time the first LRIP samples are ready, that engine will be ready too.
Inspite of the war and the bombing of the factory site, Motor Sich has been delivering enough engines to produce LRIP quantities.

the TF10000 though still needs some time.

I don’t know why Baykar is insisting on TF10000 so much? As per @boredaf ’s post, I also think at this stage any dogfight scenarios for KE is a futile and useless attempt that would waste resources. If it uses the afterburner it will only make itself more observable. The only advantage would be to help it take of from shorter runways and/or with more useful payload. (May be they haven’t given up on the notion of it taking off from TCG Anadolu)

 

[Anmdt]

You are correct. My bad. Forgot that.
In that case all they need to do is to ask TAI!

TAI and Baykar has wholly different approaches in platform development and R&D.

Baykar has luxury of trial and failure with plenty of prototypes, abundant amount of resources dedicated to this. They learn over failures and build upon, deliver in blocks and revisions after revisions. The latter is highly granted by political leverage which TAI lacks of having.

It was a turmoil when TAI lost a prototype - which somehow managed to glide and land, with minimal airframe damage, unflyable yet recoverable. That was all over the news with all images, meanwhile do we have any idea of how many prototypes Baykar lost?

All in all, TurAF expects Anka-III to be delivered almost in operable state with IWB, radars, automated command and control, while they are okaying KE to be delivered as an experimental product - like it happens with TB3 in a form faster flying Akıncı with higher payload and installed power to run more advanced components so i don't even expect IWB in first batch of KEs.

 

[Anmdt]

TF6000 is almost ready. It has already produced almost the required thrust. (I caught In an interview Mr Demiroglu mentioning 5970lbf thrust being achieved). By the time the first LRIP samples are ready, that engine will be ready too.
Inspite of the war and the bombing of the factory site, Motor Sich has been delivering enough engines to produce LRIP quantities.

the TF10000 though still needs some time.

I don’t know why Baykar is insisting on TF10000 so much? As per @boredaf ’s post, I also think at this stage any dogfight scenarios for KE is a futile and useless attempt that would waste resources. If it uses the afterburner it will only make itself more observable. The only advantage would be to help it take of from shorter runways and/or with more useful payload. (May be they haven’t given up on the notion of it taking off from TCG Anadolu)

Oh mate i would very doubt if TF6000 is in a ready state. It is yet to go platform integration stage which hasn't commenced yet, excluding all those flight tests.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Oh mate i would very doubt if TF6000 is in a ready state. It is yet to go platform integration stage which hasn't commenced yet, excluding all those flight tests.

My wording wasn’t totally correct probably. It should have read :
TF6000 is “almost” ready for flying.
As mentioned by Dr Aksit, it already produces more thrust than current Motor Sich engine that flies Anka-3. .
Since it is an unmanned platform that it will fly, it can be integrated in to Anka-3 sooner than expected or before the engine has fully matured.
Besides as I explained in another post, the Motor Sich is providing enough engines to allow Tusas to have LRIP for these birds. By the time this process is completed, most probable that TF6000 will be ready to fly.

 

[fushkee]

I think Baykar has been studying at developing TF20000 while TEI has been developing TF10000.
I heard that somewhere but not remembering.

 

[Pokemonte13]

I think Baykar has been studying at developing TF20000 while TEI has been developing TF10000.
I heard that somewhere but not remembering.

Baykar is beveloping an engine but its not know how strong it will be.

 

[Samba]

 

[Samba]

Tests continue... Akıncı is more potent now...

 

[Fuzuli NL]

#Maroc & #Baykar: new drone factory! Located in Benslimane, operational in 2026, it will produce and maintain drones for the FAR. Strategic Morocco-Turkey partnership, creation of specialized jobs, and strengthening of the local military industry.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2025711818887295244

Baykar is establishing a $250 million production base in Africa: Recruitment announcements have been made!​

Baykar, the world's largest manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is commissioning its first production facility in North Africa, located in Morocco. The base, to be named "Atlas Defense," will begin production this year.​

ACCESSED 22.02.2026 20:27 UPDATE 22.02.2026 20:47

Baykar, a leading company in the Turkish defense industry, is establishing a new production facility in Ben Slimane, Morocco, with a capital of $250 million.
The company, which will operate under the name "Atlas Defense," will be its first major production base in Africa.
Following the strategic cooperation agreement signed in December 2024, the construction process for the facility was initiated, and it is planned to begin production this year. The base will host the production of Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı TİHA drones.

AFRICAN PRESS ANNOUNCES: RECRUITMENT HAS BEGUN. ​

in Moroccan and African media According to reports , Atlas Defense has begun its initial pre-production recruitment process. Publications such as Morocco Intel, African Manager, and Agenzia Nova wrote that preparations for the opening of the factory in Ben Slimane are accelerating.
The job postings included positions for mechanical technician, electronics technician, aviation painting technician, aviation structural technician, and test pilot.

PRODUCTION FOR THE ROYAL ARMED FORCES ​

Atlas Defense, a subsidiary based in Morocco, operates in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as the production of technological components and systems for the defense industry.
The facility will focus on the production and maintenance of next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles to meet the needs of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. The project is described as a new phase in the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of defense.
According to a decision published in the Moroccan Official Gazette, Atlas Defense, with a capital of $250 million, will be Baykar's first major production base on the continent.

Türkiye'S AFRICA INITIATIVE ​

Baykar's investment in Morocco stands out as one of the steps strengthening Türkiye's defense industry presence on the African continent. The company had previously delivered Bayraktar TB2 drones to Morocco.
With the production base to be established in Ben Slimane, the process of on-site production of Turkish-based defense technologies in Africa will begin.

Baykar Afrika’da 250 milyon dolarlık üretim üssü kuruyor: İşe alımlar duyuruldu!

Haber 7 - Dünyanın en büyük SİHA üreticisi Baykar, Kuzey Afrika’daki ilk üretim tesisini Fas’ta devreye alıyor. "Atlas Defense" adıyla kurulacak üs bu yıl üretime başlayacak.

www.haber7.com

 

[Shtr]

Morocco literally is supported by Israel. How is this happened? Any explanation?

 

[IC3M@N FX]

So there is nothing official, and we can assume that this is fake news. We have not made any statements in this regard, let alone held a meeting between the Turkish and Moroccan defence ministers, which is usually how strategic matters are clarified. Therefore, the truthfulness of this report is 0.00%.

Before something like this happens, delegations exchange views several times and a memorandum of understanding is signed.