From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bayraktar Akıncı
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer Baykar
Designer Baykar
First flight 6 December 2019
Introduction 29 August 2021
Status In service
Primary users Turkish Armed Forces
Pakistan Air Force
Libyan Air Force
Ethiopian Air Force
Azerbaijan Air Force
Produced 2019–current
Number built 60+ [1]

Bayraktar Akıncı (Turkish pronunciation: [bajraktar akɯnd͡ʒɯ], Raider lit. " Akinji") is a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) being manufactured by the Turkish defence company Baykar. The first three units entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces on 29 August 2021. [2]

The aircraft has a 5.5+ ton maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), of which over 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) is payload. Akıncı is equipped with two turboprop engines of either 450  hp (460  PS; 340  kW) or 750 hp (760 PS; 560 kW), as well as electronic support and ECM systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar, and advanced synthetic-aperture radar. [3]

Development

With the preliminary design phase completed in June 2019, Akıncı started engine ground run testing in August 2019 with a Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress AI-450C turboprop engine. [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 a payload capacity of 881 lb (400 kg) internal and 2,094 lb (950 kg) external, a maximum combat load of 2,976 lb (1,350 kg). Powered by two 450  hp (460  PS; 340  kW) or 750 hp (760 PS; 560 kW) turboprop engines, the drone has a 66 ft (20 m) wingspan. It will be the first UAV capable of launching a 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 fitted with three different variants of the indigenously developed smart munitions, MAM-L, MAM-C and MAM-T. The test was also the first public appearance of the Roketsan's newest smart munition, MAM-T. [10] From July 6 to 7, the aircraft completed a test flight of 25 hours and 45 minutes, flying 7,507  km (4,053  nmi; 4,665  mi) and reaching an altitude of 38,039 ft (11,594 m). [11] On August 29, 2021, Akıncı was added to the inventory of Turkish armed forces. [2]

Operational history

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

A total of 9 Akıncıs 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 Akıncıs were involved in an attack on the Wagner Group-operated El-Hadim Airbase, having destroyed at least one air defense system. [14]

Avionics and radar

The Akıncı drone is equipped with an indigenously manufactured active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar called MURAD, a SAR/ GMTI radar, a surveillance system, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence suite ( SIGINT), and SATCOM allowing Akıncıs to become UCAV as well as ISTAR+C3 assets for the Turkish military. [15] [16] [17]

Timeline

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 made its maiden flight. [18]
  • On 10 January 2020, first prototype made its second flight and passed over 6000 ft. [19]
  • On 13 August 2020, second prototype made its maiden flights. [20]
  • On 19 August 2020, second prototype conducted medium altitude system integration flight tests. [21] [22]
  • On 22 August 2020, first prototype exceeded 30.000 ft (9.144 m) during flight testing. [23] [24]
  • On 5 September 2020, second prototype conducted high altitude and high speed flight tests. [25]
  • On 8–9 September 2020, Critical Design Review was conducted. [26] [27]
  • On 11 September 2020, second prototype conducted medium altitude system integration flight tests. [28]
  • On 3 October 2020, second prototype 2 conducted asymmetric thrust tests. [29]
  • On 13 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its advanced system integration flight tests. [30]
  • On 27 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its maiden flight. [31]
  • On 10 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests. [32] [33]
  • On 13 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its high altitude and high speed flight tests. [34]
  • On 22 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its first firing tests. [35] [36]
  • On 19 May 2021, the first serial produced Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its maiden flight [37]
  • 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 [38]
  • 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 [39]
  • On 29 August 2021, the first three units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces [40]
  • On 24 December 2021, two units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces [41]
  • On 23 January 2022, first export agreement of Bayraktar Akıncı was announced
  • On 13 February 2022, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its first combat mission [42]
  • 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 [43]
  • On 21 May 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI crossed 3 countries (Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan), flying approximately 2000 km. [44]
  • 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. [45]
  • 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. [46]
  • 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. [47]
  • On 3 August 2022, three units were delivered to the Turkish Air Force [48]
  • On 24 August 2022, three additional units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces, bringing the number of drones operated by Turkey to 12 [49]
  • On 22 February 2024, Akıncı equipped with ASELFLIR-500 shot a mobile Albatros USV. [50]
  • On 24 February 2024, Akıncı C variant successfully carried out its first flight test with two 850 HP engines. [49]

Operators

The Bayraktar Akıncı has been sold to 4 countries as of October 2022. [51]

Current operators

  Turkey

  Pakistan

  Libya

  Ethiopia [58]

  Azerbaijan [59] [60]

  Burkina Faso [61] [62]

Future operators

  Kyrgyzstan [63]

  Saudi Arabia [64]

Specifications

Data from Baykar Technology [1]

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

Avionics

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/turkeys-drone-maker-baykar-begins-build-plant-ukraine-2024-02-06/
  2. ^ a b "Erdoğan praises Turkey's drone technology as Akıncı UCAV added to military inventory". Hurriyet Daily News. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  3. ^ "BAYKAR Technology | Bayraktar Akıncı". baykartech.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  4. ^ "Akıncı Taktik İnsansız Hava Aracı için Ukrayna imalatı motor test ediliyor". kokpit.aero. 8 August 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Akıncı TİHA, ilk uçuş testini gerçekleştirdi". Anadolu News Agency (in Turkish). 6 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Turkey details Akinci armed UAV programme". Jane's International Defence Review. 26 February 2019.
  7. ^ "Baykar Defence - Akıncı Official Webpage". Archived from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Turkey Develops New Heavy Armed UAS". uasvision.com. 6 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Bayraktar Akıncı Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), Turkey". www.airforce-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  10. ^ Sabah, Daily (2021-04-22). "Turkey's Akıncı UCAV successfully hits targets with Roketsan munitions". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  11. ^ Ahmet Alemdar (2021-08-26). "Baykar Savunma, Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA'nın ilk teslimatına hazır". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  12. ^ artunbeg (2022-04-22). "Pençe-Kilit Operasyonu". Ansiklopedika Viki (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-07-23.[ permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "Bayraktar Akıncı UAVs conduct over 1,551 hours of flights in quake zone | BAYKAR Technology". Archived from the original on 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  14. ^ { https://militaryleak.com/2023/07/20/turkish-drone-manufacturer-baykar-secures-deal-with-saudi-arabia-for-akinci-ucav
  15. ^ Iddon, Paul. "Turkey's New Akinci Drone Is Impressive, But It's No Substitute For Modern Fighter Jets". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  16. ^ GDC (2020-09-11). "Baykar started to develop the AKINCI Combat UAV". Global Defense Corp. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  17. ^ "ASELSAN 2023'te birçok ilke imza attı". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  18. ^ Lake, Jon. "Turkey's New Raider Takes to the Air". Aviation International News. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  19. ^ "2. kez havalandı... 2020'nin ilk uçuşu!". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 10 January 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  20. ^ "Turkish Akinci Combat Drone's 2nd Prototype Completes Maiden Flight". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  21. ^ Agency, Anadolu (2020-08-20). "Turkey's Akıncı UCAV passes 20,000-feet altitude test". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  22. ^ "Turkish combat drone passes 20,000-feet altitude test". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  23. ^ "Bayraktar Akıncı TİHA 30 bin feet'i geçti". Haberler.com (in Turkish). 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  24. ^ "AKINCI, 5'inci Uçuşunu Gerçekleştirdi: 30.000 Feet İrtifaya Ulaştı". savunmahaber.com (in Turkish). 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  25. ^ "T3 Vakfı Mütevelli Heyeti Başkanı Selçuk Bayraktar: Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA'nın iki prototipini ürettik, üçüncüsü yolda". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  26. ^ "Turkish-made Bayraktar AKINCI receives critical design approval". Defense Here Savunma Sanayi Haberleri. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  27. ^ Ekşi, Özgür (2020-09-10). "Critical Meeting from AKINCI TİHA". C4 Defence. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  28. ^ "AKINCI PT-2 Orta İrtifa Sistem Tanımlama Testini başarıyla geçti". Milliyet (in Turkish). 12 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  29. ^ "Akıncı TİHA büyük güne bir adım daha yaklaştı!". Milliyet (in Turkish). 3 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  30. ^ "Akinci PT-2: A new addition to Turkey's drone inventory". Akinci PT-2: A new addition to Turkey's drone inventory. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  31. ^ SABAH, DAILY (2021-03-28). "Turkey's Akıncı combat drone's 3rd prototype completes maiden flight". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  32. ^ "Turkey's Akinci Third Prototype Clears Medium Altitude System Identification Test". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  33. ^ SABAH, DAILY (2021-04-11). "Turkey's cutting-edge Akıncı drone passes another test". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  34. ^ "AKINCI'da testlere devam ediliyor". Haber Aero | Havacılık, Turizm ve Savunma haberleri (in Turkish). 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  35. ^ "Turkish Akinci Drone's First Firing of Roketsan Smart Munitions". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  36. ^ Sabah, Daily (2021-04-22). "Turkey's Akıncı UCAV hits targets with latest Roketsan munitions". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  37. ^ Bayraktar, Selçuk [@Selcuk] (May 19, 2021). "#19MAYIS ruhuyla... Seri üretimin ilk uçağı olan Bayraktar #AKINCI S-1 bugün ilk uçuş testini başarıyla tamamladı. #MilliTeknolojiHamlesi ✈️🐳🚀🌍🇹🇷 https://t.co/tVWqkJSpTu" ( Tweet) (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ "Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA'dan irtifa rekoru". www.trthaber.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  39. ^ "Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA 1.360 kilogram faydalı yükle 13 saat 24 dakika uçtu". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  40. ^ Kurunç, Kamer (30 August 2021). "Baykar Savunma Kaç Adet AKINCI TİHA Teslim Etti?". Savunma Sanayi ST. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  41. ^ "AKINCI Taarruzi İnsansız Hava Aracı Teslimatları Devam Ediyor". SavunmaSanayiST. 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  42. ^ "AKINCI TİHA "Combat Proven" Oldu". SavunmaSanayiST. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Turkish combat drone Bayraktar Akinci B successfully tested". Baykar. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  44. ^ "Üç Ülkeyi Uçarak Geçen Bayraktar AKINCI Azerbaycan'da" (in Turkish). 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  45. ^ "AKINCI TİHA'dan hedefe tam isabet". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  46. ^ "Bayraktar AKINCI-B'den Yeni İrtifa Rekoru | SavunmaSanayiST" (in Turkish). 2022-06-22. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  47. ^ "AKINCI TİHA'dan Başarılı LGK-82 Atışı | SavunmaSanayiST" (in Turkish). 2022-07-02. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  48. ^ "3 Akıncı İHA görevde". TRT Haber. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  49. ^ a b "3 more 'Bayraktar Akıncı' entered the Air Force inventory". Milliyet. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022. A total of 12 Akıncıs are on duty.
  50. ^ "ASELFLIR-500 ile vurdu". SavunmaSanayiST. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  51. ^ "Bayraktar TB2 24 ülkeye ihraç ediliyor" [Bayraktar TB2 has been exported to 24 countries]. trthaber.com (in Turkish). TRT Haber. 1 September 2022. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  52. ^ a b "BAYKAR'dan İkinci Parti AKINCI Teslimatı | SavunmaSanayiST" (in Turkish). 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  53. ^ "BAYKAR'dan İkinci Parti AKINCI Teslimatı | SavunmaSanayiST" (in Turkish). 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  54. ^ "Game of Drones: Pakistani pilots operating Turkish-made Akıncı UCAVs get shiny new patch". 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  55. ^ PakDefOSINT (2023-12-09). "BREAKING: #PakistanAirForce is believed to have received the first batch of 6-7 #AKINCI UCAVs during the first half of 2023. Under a contract disclosed by Haluk BAYRAKTAR, General Manager of BAYKAR TECH, in a statement to Anadolu Agency reporter in January 2022, the #PAF acquired a large number of BAYRAKTAR #TB2 & AKINCI UCAVS from Türkiye. PAF being the first export customer of AKINCI-B configuration with 2x 750 hp engines". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  56. ^ "Türkiye has an Opportunity to Establish JVs in Pakistan and Make Use of the Low-Cost Labor Available in Pakistan". www.defenceturkey.com. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  57. ^ AlDabaiba, Abdulhamid [@Dabaibahamid] (June 1, 2023). نؤكد مرة أخرى أن #العملية العسكرية تستهدف تحييد المجرمين المتورطين في إهدار أموال #الليبيين؛ بتهريب الوقود، والضالعين في عمليات إجرامية منظمة تتجاوز الحدود. #ليبيا #عودة_الحياة #لن_نخذلكم #الدبيبة [We affirm once again that the #military operation aims to neutralize the criminals involved in wasting #Libyans' money; fuel smuggling, and those involved in organized criminal operations that transcend borders. #Libya #Back to life #We will not let you down #Al-Dabaiba] ( Tweet) (in Arabic). Retrieved 23 July 2017 – via Twitter.
  58. ^ "Akıncı UCAS for Ethiopia". 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  59. ^ "Azerbaycan'a Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA İhracatı!". 26 May 2022.
  60. ^ "Azerbaijan purchases Akinci attack UAVs from Turkiye". 9 February 2024.
  61. ^ "Azerbaycan'a Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA İhracatı!". 8 April 2024.
  62. ^ "AKINCI TİHA era started in Burkina Faso". 8 April 2024.
  63. ^ "Kırgız Yetkiliden AKINCI TİHA Açıklaması" (in Turkish). 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  64. ^ "Suudi Arabistan ve BAYKAR'dan Tarihi İHA İhracat Anlaşması". 18 July 2023.
  65. ^ "BAYKAR Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems". Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  66. ^ @Baykar_Savunma (July 8, 2021). "🚨Bayraktar #AKINCI TİHA, 38.039 feet irtifaya çıkarak Türk havacılık tarihinin irtifa rekorunu kırdı. İlk kez mill…" ( Tweet) – via Twitter.
  67. ^ "Turkish Company Roketsan Develops Akbaba High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile". 11 July 2021.
  68. ^ "Turkish Roketsan Introduces New Antiship Missile Family "ÇAKIR"". 31 March 2022.
  69. ^ "Türkiye'nin ilk havadan karaya süpersonik füzesi TRG-230-iHA hedefi tam isabetle vurdu". 16 December 2022.
  70. ^ a b c "IDEF 2021: 'Turkish DARPA' targets live tests for Kuzgun | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com.
  71. ^ "TÜBİTAK-SAGE'den Milli Penguin: KUZGUN-ER" (in Turkish). 20 March 2022.
  72. ^ "KUZGUN'un Elektronik Harp Konfigürasyonu: KUZGUN-EW" (in Turkish). 20 March 2022.
  73. ^ "TURKISH DEFENCE INDUSTRY PRODUCT CATALOGUE". www.ssb.gov.tr. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  74. ^ Mehmet, Fatih (2020-01-23). "Asisguard ve Tübitak Sage TOGAN'ı SONGAR'a entegre etti". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  75. ^ miguyan2000🚀 [@miguyan2000] (February 28, 2019). "TÜBİTAK SAGE Togan https://t.co/8rynjPtONO" ( Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021 – via Twitter.{{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ( link)
  76. ^ "IDEF 2021: Tübitak Sage displays Togan air launched mortar munition | IDEF 2021 News Official Online Show Daily Media Partner | Defence security exhibitions 2021 show daily news category | Defense & Security Exhibitions Archives". www.armyrecognition.com. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  77. ^ "Bayraktar Akinci used TOLUN for the first time - the drone destroyed the target from an altitude of 8 km at a distance of 30 km".
  78. ^ "Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA flew 1.360 hours and 13 minutes with a useful load of 24 kg". 11 July 2021.
  79. ^ Bekdil, Burak Ege (8 August 2017). "Turkish Defense Industry Begins Mass Production of BOZOK Laser-Guided Munitions For Drones". Overt Defense.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bayraktar Akıncı.
Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Baykar_Bayraktar_Akıncı&oldid=1217947409"