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

[Sanchez]

replacement for the F16 starting from the 2035

All F-16s will undergo Özgür and the structural upgrade. None will be retired from 2035.

 

[dBSPL]

IMHO, the size of the Air Force's combat fleet should be large enough to avoid ceding air superiority in contested theaters to the opposing side while fighting on two fronts(you know which fronts) simultaneously. Therefore, we need all types of combatant jets: F-16s, EFs, KAANs, even Hurjets... On the unmanned side, if TEI can successfully bring the TF6000/10000 project to mass production, then with the Kızılelma variants and Anka variants, as whole picture we need to create not only qualitative parity but also quantitative superiority, even in a 1:2 situation. Not only these, also saturation/RF decoy/jaming drones in hundreds like Super Şimşeks... Things are heating up, and the Air Force, in particular, needs to take significant steps in both training and procurement planning. Without underestimating any local capacity, I believe we need everything. Everything we can use!

 

[Strong AI]

IMHO, the size of the Air Force's combat fleet should be large enough to avoid ceding air superiority in contested theaters to the opposing side while fighting on two fronts(you know which fronts) simultaneously. Therefore, we need all types of combatant jets: F-16s, EFs, KAANs, even Hurjets... On the unmanned side, if TEI can successfully bring the TF6000/10000 project to mass production, then with the Kızılelma variants and Anka variants, as whole picture we need to create not only qualitative parity but also quantitative superiority, even in a 1:2 situation. Not only these, also saturation/RF decoy/jaming drones in hundreds like Super Şimşeks... Things are heating up, and the Air Force, in particular, needs to take significant steps in both training and procurement planning. Without underestimating any local capacity, I believe we need everything. Everything we can use!

Imho when our Ramjet powered BVR missiles enter serial production, we only need platforms which can launch them, also powerful Radars and EW systems. As a launch platform we only have to mass produce supersonic capable UCAVs and some MUM-T capable manned Jets. I still want to see an unmanned AEW.

 

[Pokemonte13]

well according to aselsan 2027 is the date for IHA aew. Dated 2023

 

[boredaf]

I still want to see an unmanned AEW.

I guess that would be Akıncı with Fulmar 500, Antidot 2 electronic support pod to listen for radar and Aselflir-600 from the current stock and whatever Aselsan might come up with later on.

 

[Strong AI]

I guess that would be Akıncı with Fulmar 500, Antidot 2 electronic support pod to listen for radar and Aselflir-600 from the current stock and whatever Aselsan might come up with later on.

To me Fulmar 500 is optimized for Air-to-Ground operations. Air-to-Air is listed but they don't emphasize it much.

FULMAR 500-A
The FULMAR 500-A System is a multi-function Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) reconnaissance and surveillance radar system integrated into UAVs and manned reconnaissance aircraft. It features sea search, detection/tracking of surface/air/land targets to create a comprehensive surface picture, as well as surface ISAR imaging and terrestrial SAR imaging functions.

The FULMAR 500-A System possesses the advanced features listed below and has been developed to meet the day/night and all-weather operational requirements of Naval Forces.

https://www.aselsan.com/en/defence/product/fulmar-500-a

 

[Pokemonte13]

To me Fulmar 500 is optimized for Air-to-Ground operations. Air-to-Air is listed but they don't emphasize it much.

FULMAR 500-A
The FULMAR 500-A System is a multi-function Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) reconnaissance and surveillance radar system integrated into UAVs and manned reconnaissance aircraft. It features sea search, detection/tracking of surface/air/land targets to create a comprehensive surface picture, as well as surface ISAR imaging and terrestrial SAR imaging functions.

The FULMAR 500-A System possesses the advanced features listed below and has been developed to meet the day/night and all-weather operational requirements of Naval Forces.

https://www.aselsan.com/en/defence/product/fulmar-500-a

i think with air to air function they meant locating low flying kamikaze drones and maybe cruise missiles

 

[Strong AI]

To me this shows how far ahead Baykar is in its sector. Afaik K2, SİVRİSİNEK and MIZRAK already have these features, which STM plans for KUZGUN in the future. But this doesn't mean that we don't need simpler kamikaze drones like KUZGUN, they will be effective to saturate enemy AD, also a nice bonus if they come through.

For KUZGUN, our top priority is cost-effectiveness. But at the same time, it will be able to carry a highly effective warhead. Currently, while it's heading to a specific coordinate, in the future, concepts like a bit more steerability, operating in swarms, or perhaps working together with our other drones are also on our agenda, and we're evaluating those.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2053018964746289357

 

[Bogeyman]

 

[Mis_TR_Like]

So Anka 3 will now be able to carry 1600kg, they also increased the wingspan and the length. Hopefully that extra meter of length means they're finally covering the nozzle.

 

[Yasar_TR]

So Anka 3 will now be able to carry 1600kg, they also increased the wingspan and the length. Hopefully that extra meter of length means they're finally covering the nozzle.

More importantly it should have bigger IWB to accommodate larger missiles like Som-j. The larger wing area together with the prospective higher output thrust from TF6000 will give higher performance to the plane and the indigenous engine’s inherent stealthy structure would help with the low observability of the aircraft as a whole.

 

[mTT]

There are changes in the new brochure for the Tusaş ANKA III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System:
Length: 8.9 m (previously 7.9 m)
Wingspan: 13.1 m (previously 12.5 m)
Height: 2.6 m (previously 2.5 m)
Take-off weight: 7,250 kg (previously 6,500 kg)
Payload: 1,600 kg (previously 1,200 kg)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2055221750271525228

Edit...
Payload: 1,700 kg

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2051926672006328643

 

[Pokemonte13]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2055221750271525228

Edit...
Payload: 1,700 kg

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2051926672006328643

Average Turkish consistency

 

[dBSPL]

The increase in the aircraft's MTOW appears to have increased both structural and fuel weight. In addition to the structural weight increase resulting from the dimensional growth, we can estimate that approximately 100-150 kg of this increase has gone towards additional fuel capacity thanks to the expanded wing and fuselage volume.

Most probably, the most critical benefit of the structural growth is the estimated 20-25% increase in the internal weapon bay (IWB) volume. A rough geometric calculation yields a new volume ratio of 1.126 (length) x 1.04 (height) x 1.05 (width) = 1.23. While this is an optimistic estimate, it's certain that the weapon bay directly benefits from this growth. A 23% increase in IWB volume may have brought the ammunition length that can fit inside the bay to the critical threshold of 3.8-4.0 meters. Also onsidering that the payload capacity of each station within the IWB was 650 kg in the old specifications, we can talk about a maximum ammunition carrying capacity of 900 kg in the new structure, ideally around 750-800 kg. This increase represents a very critical geometric transformation that can roughly double the destructive power of ANKA-3 on the target in its full stealth mission profile.

 

[Pokemonte13]

The increase in the aircraft's MTOW appears to have increased both structural and fuel weight. In addition to the structural weight increase resulting from the dimensional growth, we can estimate that approximately 100-150 kg of this increase has gone towards additional fuel capacity thanks to the expanded wing and fuselage volume.

Most probably, the most critical benefit of the structural growth is the estimated 20-25% increase in the internal weapon bay (IWB) volume. A rough geometric calculation yields a new volume ratio of 1.126 (length) x 1.04 (height) x 1.05 (width) = 1.23. While this is an optimistic estimate, it's certain that the weapon bay directly benefits from this growth. A 23% increase in IWB volume may have brought the ammunition length that can fit inside the bay to the critical threshold of 3.8-4.0 meters. Also onsidering that the payload capacity of each station within the IWB was 650 kg in the old specifications, we can talk about a maximum ammunition carrying capacity of 900 kg in the new structure, ideally around 750-800 kg. This increase represents a very critical geometric transformation that can roughly double the destructive power of ANKA-3 on the target in its full stealth mission profile.

Can it at least carry HGK 83 then?
In the info graphic i only saw MK82.

 

[dBSPL]

Can it at least carry HGK 83 then?
In the info graphic i only saw MK82.

My amateur opinion and rough calculation suggest that the main reason for this expansion is indeed tailored for the 83-series bombs and guidance kits, as the primary constraint was physical length. Of course, until the exact internal dimensions of the IWBs are officially released, we can only speculate.

However, to address the core question: Is it aerodynamically or structurally viable that the aircraft's overall volume increased by nearly 23% while the IWB volume remained unchanged? In flying wing configurations, internal space is at a premium. Enlarging the centerbody length and height almost always signals a need to expand the main internal bay, rather than just adding empty structural weight or dead space.

Furthermore, the wingspan increased by a mere 5%. Given the blended wing-body design, this minor stretch seems to be a natural structural consequence of increasing the overall fuselage length, rather than an aerodynamic effort to lower approach speeds for MÜGEM (carrier-borne) operations. While the total wing area has expanded, keeping the wingspan strictly constrained suggests that the primary driver behind this geometric growth is payload optimization and internal volume clearance, not low-speed handling qualities. We’ll have to wait and see.

 

[IC3M@N FX]

Then they should start working on the folding wings for the Anka 3 right now, rather than waiting until the Aircraft Carrier (MUGEM) arrives to begin development. The same applies to the Hürjet and Kizilelma—the project should be completed by the time the Aircraft Carrier is officially commissioned. They have the time now and can develop it.

They should finally remove that ugly nozzle when the TF-6000 is integrated. Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky and TEI can squeeze 7,000–8,000 lbf out of the TF-6000 Design—then the Anka 3 should be able to fly just over Mach 1.2 even without an afterburner.

 

[dBSPL]

Then they should start working on the folding wings for the Anka 3 right now, rather than waiting until the Aircraft Carrier (MUGEM) arrives to begin development. The same applies to the Hürjet and Kizilelma—the project should be completed by the time the Aircraft Carrier is officially commissioned. They have the time now and can develop it.

They should finally remove that ugly nozzle when the TF-6000 is integrated. Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky and TEI can squeeze 7,000–8,000 lbf out of the TF-6000 Design—then the Anka 3 should be able to fly just over Mach 1.2 even without an afterburner.

Folding wings can cause a considerable weight penalty in a flying wing airframe. To this, let's add the need for corrosion-resistant and reinforced structures, as well as the possible need for landing gear reinforcement. I don't know if it's a benchmark, but if I remember correctly, the navalization penalty in the conceptual specifications of the Hürjet-D variant was around 6% (from 5500 to 5830). I don't remember where I saw this information; it may not be official. Nevertheless, I believe that TUSAŞ's aircraft structural and advanced composite capabilities will enable them to keep the navalization penalty of the ANKA-3 to a minimum.