TAI must be holding some cards up their sleeve. The US kept the rear section of the B-2 secret for decades. I think TAI has a "public" version of this drone which can be used for development and testing and for public viewing. Ball gimbal on a stealth flying wing drone...for sure some TAI engineers had a laugh about that.
I think the critical information here is that it gives clues about the structural lifting limits of the aircraft. For example, when the desired thrust level is reached, that is, with a higher class engine, can the aircraft lift ammunition over 2,5/2,6 tons in beast mode? I don't know what would be the most powerful engine that can be fitted to this aircraft in terms of thrust and whether it would be enough, but i think, structurally the aircraft can lift this load.
With the kind of stealth it has, it can sneak next to and down an AWACS.
In a pinch, yes.
If it is AI-25 it is a medium bypass turbofan engine with a bypass ratio of 2.0:1
The stealthiness of the aircraft is needed when said aircraft is in the range of enemy AD radars.
Hard points can be jettisoned just like in F-22 and F-35.
Lets asume an imaginary target 2500 km away, south of the Mediterranean Sea (
) : 3/4 ANKA-3 B2s to take off from Konya: 2 Şimşek on the outer pylons under the wing, 150 US gallon (+550lt) drop tanks on the inner pylons, 24/32 SDB ammunition in total. Forward patrol by 3 KE B2s taking off from the command and control ship TCG Anadolu in the Libyan sea. First line, GEZGIN missiles from TCG ISTANBUL and TCG IZMIR frigates with AKINCI-C illumination. Second saturation comes with Şimşek drones. And SDBs are for leaving nothing behind. Two or three of the Şimşek drones will parachute into the Libyan deserts back, the others with warheads and kamikaze roles. So Fully unmanned strategic deep attack with a total of 12/15 drones. Maybe it is quite primitive compared to 30 years later, but in the end, we are witnessing an era in which brand new perspectives will emerge in combat aviation, and just as SB said, the paradigm may change. The possibilities and new capabilities are literally thrilling.
What do you mean,how many we need or should at least have?
The question is just to understand why Turkey is Politicaly SuperPower while in Production rate is acting like a regional power. Turkey is having problem with Greece which could Turn to War with EU and maybe even US support, Turkey is few Kilometers from Russia, and Turkey brothers in Kazakhstan are on the border with China,... And after all that people in this forum are saying 300 kizilelma and 300 Anka is so much while the reality it is so small, The bigger problem TAI is not ramping up production of any product even Anka 1, or Aksungur.
Well, I am not so sure about your theory that Turkey won't go to the war against Greece or whatever. I realised a long ago the nature of the things around me. History, mentality, instincts etc . Also if I may add in the struggle for my country which lasts since early 80s and unfortunately it involves having " complex" experiences , I for a second do not doubt in the incoming conflicts. Moreover I don't doubt the conflicts on the European soil. Simply that's how certain realities and numbers are strucked . The massive psychosis is prelevant .
The US will not Allow it now but in the future they can push it even. And then They will support the side they want. And I don't know the price but there is no price high for food,Shelter, and Self defence, and Usually increase in production means decrease in price. Anyway I am new in the forum I was watching Ukraine vs. Russia War news and was dragged here, and I can see some interesting topics. Is this Turkish Forum or world wide?
Existing drone models are still not very powerful and development is still ongoing. Once Kızılelma and Anka-3 fly with a domestic engine and they become formidable players we can have them in great numbers. Other drones' numbers can be increased over time but we want to have newer models as they become available rather than having a big stock of older ones. It is a more profitable option to export them now rather than keeping them for ourselves.
