Bayraktar Akıncı

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Bayraktar Akıncı
Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV.jpg
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 user Turkish Armed Forces
Number built 9[1] (6 serially produced and 3 prototypes)

Bayraktar Akıncı (Turkish pronunciation: [Bayraktar Akıncı]) is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) being manufactured by the Turkish technology company Baykar. The first three units entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces on 29 August 2021.[1][2][3]

The aircraft has a 5.5+ tons of Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) while 1350+ kg of this is composed by payload. Akıncı is equipped with two turboprop engines which has two different types of thrust capabilities as 450 or 750 hp. Akinci is equipped with electronic support and countermeasure systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and national advanced synthetic aperture radar.[4]

Development[]

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.[5] 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.[6]

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 ALCM.[6][7] [8][9]

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.[10][11]

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.[12][13] 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.[14] On August 29, 2021, Akinci was added to the inventory of Turkish armed forces.[2]

Avionics and radar[]

The Akinci 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 Akinci to become an UCAV as well as ISTAR+C3 asset for Turkish military. [15][16]

Timeline[]

  • On 6 December 2019, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its maiden flight.[17]
  • On 10 January 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 1 conducted its second flight and passed over 6000 ft.[18]
  • On 13 August 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its maiden flights.[19]
  • On 19 August 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests.[20][21]
  • On 22 August 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 1 passed over 30.000 ft during a flight test.[22][23]
  • On 5 September 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its high altitude and high speed flight tests.[24]
  • On 8–9 September 2020, Critical Design Review was conducted for Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV platform.[25][26]
  • On 11 September 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests.[27]
  • On 3 October 2020, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted the asymmetric thrust tests.[28]
  • On 13 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its advanced system integration flight tests.[29]
  • On 27 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its maiden flight.[30]
  • On 10 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests.[31][32]
  • On 13 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its high altitude and high speed flight tests.[33]
  • On 22 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its first firing tests.[34][35]
  • On 19 May 2021, the first serial produced Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its maiden flight[36]
  • On 7 July 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı set the new national flight altitude record of Turkey by cruising at 38,039 feet for 25 hours and 46 minutes at a distance of 7,507km [37]
  • On 10 July 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted a 13 hours and 24 minute long flight with 1360kg 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[38]
  • On 29 August 2021, the first three units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces[3]
  • On 24 December 2021, two units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces[39]

Operators[]

 Turkey

Specifications[]

Data from Baykar Makina

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 2,976 lb (1,350 kg)
  • 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)
  • 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: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
  • Range: 7,500 km (4,700 mi, 4,000 nmi) Traveled 7507 Kilometers in latest test.
  • Endurance: 25 hours
  • Service ceiling: 12,192 m (40,000 ft)
  • Operational altitude = 9,100 m (30,000 ft)

Armament

Avionics

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

Gallery[]

  • Bayraktar Akıncı Teknofest 2019

  • Bayraktar Akıncı Teknofest 2019

  • Bayraktar Akıncı Teknofest 2019 (Payload)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "AKINCI İHA'nın Teslimatı Başlıyor | SavunmaSanayiST" (in Turkish). 2021-08-22. Retrieved 2021-08-22."Turkish defense industry set on fulfilling orders in 2021 - Latest News". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 2021-04-12.SABAH, DAILY (2021-02-04). "Turkey's Baykar to mass produce Akıncı UCAV soon". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  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. ^ a b c d e Kurunç, Kamer (30 August 2021). "Baykar Savunma Kaç Adet AKINCI TİHA Teslim Etti?". Savunma Sanayi ST. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  4. ^ "BAYKAR Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems". baykardefence.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  5. ^ "Akıncı Taktik İnsansız Hava Aracı için Ukrayna imalatı motor test ediliyor". kokpit.aero. 8 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Akıncı TİHA, ilk uçuş testini gerçekleştirdi". Anadolu News Agency (in Turkish). 6 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Akinci Attack UAV System". Defence Turkey. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ^ "Turkey details Akinci armed UAV programme". Jane's International Defence Review. 26 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Baykar Defence - Akıncı Official Webpage". Archived from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Turkey Develops New Heavy Armed UAS". uasvision.com. 6 June 2018.
  11. ^ "Bayraktar Akıncı Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), Turkey". www.airforce-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  12. ^ "Akıncı silahlandı! Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA 12'den vurdu". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  13. ^ Sabah, Daily (2021-04-22). "Turkey's Akıncı UCAV successfully hits targets with Roketsan munitions". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  14. ^ Ahmet Alemdar (2021-08-26). "Baykar Savunma, Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA'nın ilk teslimatına hazır". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  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. ^ Lake, Jon. "Turkey's New Raider Takes to the Air". Aviation International News. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  18. ^ "2. kez havalandı... 2020'nin ilk uçuşu!". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  19. ^ "Turkish Akinci Combat Drone's 2nd Prototype Completes Maiden Flight". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  20. ^ Agency, Anadolu (2020-08-20). "Turkey's Akıncı UCAV passes 20,000-feet altitude test". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  21. ^ "Turkish combat drone passes 20,000-feet altitude test". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  22. ^ "Bayraktar Akıncı TİHA 30 bin feet'i geçti". Haberler.com (in Turkish). 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  23. ^ "AKINCI, 5'inci Uçuşunu Gerçekleştirdi: 30.000 Feet İrtifaya Ulaştı". savunmahaber.com (in Turkish). 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  24. ^ "T3 Vakfı Mütevelli Heyeti Başkanı Selçuk Bayraktar: Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA'nın iki prototipini ürettik, üçüncüsü yolda". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  25. ^ "Turkish-made Bayraktar AKINCI receives critical design approval". Defense Here Savunma Sanayi Haberleri. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
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  27. ^ "AKINCI PT-2 Orta İrtifa Sistem Tanımlama Testini başarıyla geçti". Milliyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  28. ^ "Akıncı TİHA büyük güne bir adım daha yaklaştı!". Milliyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-04-27.
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  30. ^ SABAH, DAILY (2021-03-28). "Turkey's Akıncı combat drone's 3rd prototype completes maiden flight". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  31. ^ "Turkey's Akinci Third Prototype Clears Medium Altitude System Identification Test". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  32. ^ SABAH, DAILY (2021-04-11). "Turkey's cutting-edge Akıncı drone passes another test". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  33. ^ "AKINCI'da testlere devam ediliyor". Haber Aero | Havacılık, Turizm ve Savunma haberleri (in Turkish). 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  34. ^ "Turkish Akinci Drone's First Firing of Roketsan Smart Munitions". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  35. ^ Sabah, Daily (2021-04-22). "Turkey's Akıncı UCAV hits targets with latest Roketsan munitions". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  36. ^ Bayraktar, Selçuk [@Selcuk] (19 May 2021). "#19MAYIS ruhuyla... Seri üretimin ilk uçağı olan Bayraktar #AKINCI S-1 bugün ilk uçuş testini başarıyla tamamladı. #MilliTeknolojiHamlesi ✈️