Turkish-made military armed drone becomes world’s first to take off and land on short-runway vessel

Turkish-made military armed drone, the Bayraktar TB3 has become the world’s first armed drone to take off and land on a short-runway vessel.

Achieved on January 17, 2025, this pioneering milestone marks a significant advancement in unmanned aerial warfare technology for the Turkish Navy.

Advanced technology and tactical flexibility

The Bayraktar TB3 took off from the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan, Edirne, armed with the ASELFLIR-500 Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Targeting System from Aselsan.

Notably, it carried two MAM-T (Mini Smart Munition-T) munitions, which accurately engaged a target. These remarkable features show that advanced micro-munitions offer high-precision targeting against stationary and moving threats, with a range of more than 30 kilometers when launched from UAVs.

Furthermore, this range increases when deployed from fighter jets or light attack aircraft, further boosting the TB3’s tactical flexibility.

Designed with foldable wings to ease deployment on limited deck spaces, the TB3 will play an important role in Turkey’s defense strategy. It provides long-range reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike capabilities.

With 32 consecutive hours of airborne testing and over 887 flight hours, the Bayraktar TB3’s success highlights Turkey’s ability to develop and deploy advanced UAV technology.

A series of historical Achievements

In November 2024, the Bayraktar TB3 achieved a significant milestone when it took off and landed on the short deck of the TCG Anadolu, a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship.

This exceptional feat needs no catapults or arresting systems, proving the UCAV’s versatility in launching and landing on constrained platforms.

After this success, the drop continued to perform multiple sea trials, including a second takeoff and landing sequence off the coast of Çanakkale.