Turkey’s Anka-3 combat drone has passed its first test flight.
The unmanned aerial vehicle’s maiden flight lasted one hour and 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet (2,439 meters) and a speed of 150 knots (173 miles/278 kilometers per hour).
The Anka-3 uses the same ground systems as earlier Anka variations, allowing for a more unified control system for Ankara’s drone capabilities.
Developer Turkish Aerospace Industries explained the prototype is powered by a low-bypass turbofan engine, allowing it to achieve endurance of up to 10 hours at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters).
It also has a service ceiling of 44,000 feet (13,411 meters), with a top speed of 425 knots (489 miles/787 kilometers per hour).
Once it completes all of its trials, the combat drone will serve as a Turkish Armed Forces unmanned capability for suppression and destruction of enemy defenses, as well as surveillance and deep strike missions.
Turkey’s Unmanned Technologies
Turkey’s advancements in drone technology have been at the forefront of international defense.
The country has provided unmanned capabilities to Malaysia and Pakistan, even collaborating with the latter to produce indigenous military drones.
In 2022, it announced an agreement with Ukraine to construct a drone manufacturing plant set to be completed by 2025, capable of building Akinci combat drones in the country.