Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı

With the preliminary design phase completed in June 2019, Akıncı started engine ground run in August 2019 with a Ukrainian turboprop engine Ivchenko-Progress AI-450C.[4] First engine test was accomplished on September 1, 2019. Following the completion of other technical tests, the aircraft was moved to the Turkish Army's Çorlu Airfield Command. The UCAV made its maiden flight with automatic taxiing, take-off, 16-minute flight and successful landing on December 6, 2019.[5]

Akıncı has 881 lb (400 kg) internal and 2,094 lb (950 kg) external payload capacity, combining the overall combat load to max. 2,976 lb (1,350 kg). Powered by two 450 hp (340 kW) or 750 hp (560 kW) turboprop engines, large 66 ft (20 m) wingspan ensures 5.5 tons of maximum takeoff weight. Akıncı will be the first UAV capable of launching an air launched cruise missile.[5][6][7]

First pictures of the UAV hit media reports in June 2018 and it was unveiled to the public during the Teknofest Aviation, Space and Technology Festival in September 2019.[8][9]

On 22 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV has successfully conducted its first firing tests. During the test Akıncı was equipped with three different variants of the indigenously developed smart ammunitions, MAM-L, MAM-C and MAM-T. The test has also been the first public appearance of the Roketsan's newest smart ammunition MAM-T.[10] From July 6 to 7, the aircraft completed a test flight of 25 hours and 45 minutes, flying 7507 km and reaching an altitude of 38,039 feet or 11,594 meters.[11] On August 29, 2021, Akıncı was added to the inventory of Turkish armed forces.[2]

Akıncı has been used first in Pençe-Kilit Operations which held by Turkish military to dissolve PKK positions such as shelters and caves in Northern Iraq.[12]

A total of 9 Turkish Bayraktar Akıncı UAVs successfully flew over 1551 hours in the earthquake zone of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake. The drones have been instrumental in providing continuous updates and data to the crisis response team for damage detection, search and rescue support, along with coordination activities.[13]

A unspecified number of Bayraktar Akıncıs were involved in an attack on the Wagner Group-operated El-Hadim Airbase, having destroyed at least one air defense system.

The Akıncı drone is equipped with an indigenously manufactured active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a SAR/GMTI radar, a surveillance system, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence suite (SIGINT), and SATCOM allowing Akıncı to become an UCAV as well as ISTAR+C3 asset for Turkish military.[14][15]

Bayraktar Akıncı at Teknofest 2019

Bayraktar Akıncı at Teknofest 2019

Bayraktar Akıncı at Teknofest 2019

Tailfin of the Bayraktar Akıncı at Teknofest 2021

• On 6 December 2019, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its maiden flight.[16]
• On 10 January 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 1 conducted its second flight and passed over 6000 ft.[17]
• On 13 August 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its maiden flights.[18]
• On 19 August 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests.[19][20]
• On 22 August 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 1 passed over 30.000 ft during a flight test.[21][22]
• On 5 September 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its high altitude and high speed flight tests.[23]
• On 8–9 September 2020, Critical Design Review was conducted for Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV platform.[24][25]
• On 11 September 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests.[26]
• On 3 October 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted the asymmetric thrust tests.[27]
• On 13 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its advanced system integration flight tests.[28]
• On 27 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its maiden flight.[29]
• On 10 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests.[30][31]
• On 13 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its high altitude and high speed flight tests.[32]
• On 22 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its first firing tests.[33][34]
• On 19 May 2021, the first serial produced Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its maiden flight[35]
• On 7 July 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı set the new national flight altitude record of Turkey by cruising at 38,039 feet (11,594 m) for 25 hours and 46 minutes at a distance of 7,507 km [36]
• On 10 July 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted a 13 hours and 24 minute long flight with 1360 kg payload. During the flight Akıncı was equipped with the NEB bunker buster bomb developed by TUBITAK SAGE. Marking the heaviest bomb ever carried by an UCAV[37]
• On 29 August 2021, the first three units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces[38]
• On 24 December 2021, two units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces[39]
• On 23 January 2022, first export agreement of Bayraktar Akıncı was announced
• On 13 February 2022, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its first combat mission[40]
• On 2 March 2022, second export agreement of Bayraktar Akıncı was announced
• On 2 March 2022, the Baykar announced that the Bayraktar AKINCI-B version with twin 750 hp (560 kW) engines completed its maiden flight [41]
• On 21 May 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI crossed 3 countries (Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan), flying approximately 2000 km.[42]
• On 14 June 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) has successfully completed its first firing test from 30 kilometers away with the KGK-SIHA-82 (Winged Guidance Kit) ammunition.[43]
• On 21 June 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI B Variant took off to carry out endurance, high altitude and high speed tests, The B Variant rose to an altitude of 45,118 feet (13,752 meters) within the scope of the test, returned to Bayraktar AKINCI Flight, Training and Test Center at Çorlu Airport Command after 20 hours and 23 minutes of flight.[44]
• On 1 July 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI carried out a test firing with the LGK-82 (Laser Guidance Kit), developed by ASELSAN, Flying with an altitude of 30 thousand feet, the target was laser-marked by Bayraktar TB2 SİHA, The LGK-82 was Launched from UAV for the first time.[45]
• On 3 August 2022, three units were delivered to the Turkish Air Force[46]
• On 24 August 2022, three additional units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces, bringing the number of drones operated by Turkey to 12[47]

The Bayraktar Akıncı has been sold to 4 countries as of October 2022.[1]

Data from Baykar Technology

General characteristics

• Capacity: 1300 kg (3307 lb)
• Length: 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
• Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in)
• Max takeoff weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
• Fuel capacity: unspecified Jet-A1 or JP-8 fuel capacity
• Powerplant: 2 × Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450T turboprop engines, 560 kW (750 hp) each
• Propellers: 5-bladed composite constant-speed propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 361 km/h (224 mph, 195 kn)
• Cruise speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
• Range: 7,500 km (4,700 mi, 4,000 nmi) Traveled 7507 Kilometers in latest test.
• Endurance: 25 hours
• Service ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft)
• Operational altitude: 9,100 m (30,000 ft)

Armament

• Hardpoints: 8, with provisions to carry
  • Rockets
    • CIRIT
  • Missiles
    • Air-to-air missiles
      • GÖKTUĞ missile program
        • Akdoğan
        • Bozdoğan
        • Gökdoğan
        • Gökhan
    • Air-to-surface missiles
      • AKBABA [55]
      • Çakır[56]
      • SOM
      • TRG-230-İHA[57]
      • TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-TJ[58]
      • TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-KY[58]
      • TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-ER (According to TUBITAK-SAGE, this missile will be equivalent to Penguin Missile.)[59]
      • TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-EW[60]
      • UMTAS
    • Bombs
      • Teber-81 (Mark 81 bomb w/ ROKETSAN Laser Guidance Kit)
      • HGK-82 (Mark 82 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Precision Guidance Kit)
      • KGK-82 (Mark 82 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Wing Assisted Guidance Kit)
      • Teber-82 (Mark 82 bomb w/ ROKETSAN Laser Guidance Kit)
      • HGK-83 (Mark 83 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Precision Guidance Kit
      • KGK-83 (Mark 83 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Wing Assisted Guidance Kit)
      • HGK-84 (Mark 84 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Precision Guidance Kit)
      • LHGK-84 (Mark 84 bomb w/ TUBITAK-SAGE Laser Sensitive Guidance Kit)
      • TUBITAK-SAGE TOGAN[61] Rack of four 81 mm mortars (GPS/INS or unguided)[62][63][64]
      • TUBITAK-SAGE KUZGUN-SS Glide bomb[58]
      • Aselsan TOLUN Miniature Bomb (MB)[65]
      • SARB-83 Bunker buster
      • NEB-84 Bunker buster[66]
      • TUBITAK-SAGE BOZOK[67]
      • MAM-C
      • MAM-L
      • MAM-T

Avionics

• National AESA Radar
• Aselsan Common Aperture Targeting System
• Electronic Warfare Pod
• National SIGINT module

• Baykar Bayraktar Mini UAV
• Baykar Bayraktar TB1
• Baykar Bayraktar TB2
• Baykar Bayraktar TB3
• Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma
• TAI Anka
• TAI Aksungur