Baykar produced AKINCI by moving to a higher class after the world-famous Bayraktar TB2 SİHAs. It was said that the next target was MIUS. But first, a vehicle that can take off from short-track sea vehicles such as the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship will be built. It will even make its first flight this year. Now, it has been revealed that Bayraktar TB3 SİHAs, whose prototypes we have not even seen yet, are in talks for the export to Japan.
Japan Bayraktar can get TB3: He entered the race with Turkey and the USA!
From the outside, Bayraktar TB3 looks like a TB2 with a slightly larger volume, stronger and more load-bearing. It also has a specially developed folding wing structure for use on aircraft carriers. Thanks to these features, we can say that Japan is the perfect fit for the helicopter carrier.
But it has become clear that we will see more of this type of SİHAs in the future. Because, after Baykar announced that it will make its first flight this year, General Atomics, which developed the MQ-9 Reaper, one of the most famous UAVs of the USA, announced that they are working on a similar platform.
USA is developing Bayraktar TB3 competitor SİHA!
General Atomics, which developed the famous MQ-9 Reaper SİHA of the USA, announced the Bayraktar TB3 type folding wing variant.
Developed by General Atomics, the SİHA will actually be a variant of the MQ-9B Reaper with folding wings and will be named MQ-9B STOL. Since it will have folding wings, it seems that some changes have been made in the flap system. However, the rest of the features are quite similar.
But for now, Japan seems closer to getting Bayraktar TB3. Because, if there is no development on Baykar’s side, Turkey will have built the world’s first SİHA of this type, not the USA. It is also known that the success of Bayraktar TB2s in the field in Asian countries aroused great repercussions.
Making a statement on the subject, Haluk Bayraktar said:
The TB3, which will make its first flight, will be quite suitable for Japanese Izumo class platforms. The folding wings of UAVs will allow ships to accept more UAVs than fixed-wing aircraft. Japan should acquire armed drones as soon as possible.
Since both aircraft have not yet exhibited their prototypes, we can compare to a certain extent. For example, the MQ-9B STOL will offer very similar features to other Reaper models. No improvement is expected in terms of speed and load carrying capacity. It will only have a modular structure.
The TB3, on the other hand, will be larger and more advanced in every sense compared to its predecessor. Of course, artificial intelligence, software and other technologies used in it are expected to be the same or quite close. However, it should be noted that there will be a significant increase in load carrying capacity and speed.
On the other hand, MQ-9 Reaper is a platform closer to AKINCI rather than TB3. But in terms of cost, we can say that the USA has opened the mouth of the purse too much. Because last year, 12 units were sold to Australia for 137 million dollars.
In this case, a rough estimate is that even if the TB3 costs 2 times the TB2, the MQ-9B STOL will still be 10 times more expensive. Let’s say that it seems more capable on paper in terms of features. However, there is no advantage to change the game.
Bayraktar TB3 features
- Wingspan: 14 meters
- Length: 8.35 meters
- Height: 2.6 meters
- Takeoff Weight: 1450 kilograms
- Maximum cruise speed: 125 knots-160 knots (300 km/h)
- Payload capacity: 6 weapon stations – 280 kilograms
- Airtime: 24+ hours (with ammunition)
- folding wing structure
- Short runway aircraft carriers automatic take-off and landing capability
- Line of sight and beyond communication
- SATCOM satellite link
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