Turkey’s defense company Baykar has announced a groundbreaking achievement: On May 25, 2025, its Bayraktar TB3 drone successfully fired a supersonic missile at a sea target while coordinating with another drone. This marks the first time that an armed drone has launched a supersonic missile in coordination with a second drone, signaling a new era in drone warfare. The supersonic missile, named IHA-122, was developed by Roketsan, a Turkish defense contractor.
According to Baykar, the Bayraktar TB3 took off from Dalaman, located in Turkey’s southwestern Muğla province, carrying a live IHA-122 missile. During its first test flight over the Mediterranean Sea, the drone successfully reached its designated altitude.
In this historic event, a nearby Bayraktar TB2 UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) assisted by laser-marking a floating 6-by-6-meter target located more than 50 km away. The TB3 drone, receiving the real-time target coordinates, launched the supersonic missile, which directly hit the target on its first attempt.
Why Is the Bayraktar TB3’s achievement significant?
This successful attack is not only the first time the TB3 has fired the IHA-122 supersonic missile, but it also marks a historic milestone in drone warfare. It demonstrates the first-ever collaboration between two different UCAVs (drones) in a kill chain scenario. In this setup, one drone laser-marks the target, while the other drone fires the missile. Such coordinated drone strikes are extremely rare in modern warfare.
Carrier-operated drone capability:
What makes the TB3’s success even more remarkable is its ability to operate from aircraft carriers. It is the first Turkish-made drone designed to take off from and land on carriers like the TCG Anadolu, which has a small runway. Its foldable wings allow it to function from limited-space naval platforms, reducing dependence on large airbases. This capability gives Turkey’s armed forces the flexibility to launch precision strikes from the sea, expanding their unmanned airpower without the logistical burden of land-based operations.
Supersonic missile boosts strike power:
Equipped with the IHA-122 supersonic missile, the TB3’s firepower significantly increases. The missile’s precision strike capability enhances Turkey’s naval operations, allowing for pinpoint attacks on enemy assets. Additionally, the TB3’s low radar cross-section and quick deployment make it difficult for enemies to detect.
This makes the TB3 a stealthy and lethal force, capable of striking high-value enemy targets with minimal warning.
Game-changer in drone warfare:
By combining carrier-launch capability with supersonic missile strikes and coordinated multi-drone operations, the TB3 establishes itself as a game-changer in modern military strategies. This technological leap enhances Turkey’s ability to conduct advanced, high-precision naval operations while maintaining a low detection profile, reshaping future drone warfare tactics.
Bayraktar TB3: Key Features and Capabilities
Advanced MALE UCAV: The Bayraktar TB3 is a Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions.
- Technical Specifications:
- Wingspan: 14 meters
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: ~1,450 kg
- Engine: Single internal combustion engine
- Operational Altitude: Can fly above 9,000 meters (30,000 feet)
- Endurance: Capable of remaining airborne for over 24 hours
Payload and Weaponry: The TB3 has a 280 kg payload capacity, allowing it to carry a variety of precision-guided munitions, including:
- Smart micro-missiles
- Laser-guided bombs
- This makes it capable of conducting pinpoint strikes on both land and sea targets.
SATCOM-Based Communication:
The TB3 is equipped with SATCOM (satellite communication), enabling Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) operations. This capability is critical for over-the-horizon missions, allowing the drone to strike distant targets while being operated from sea-based platforms.
Naval deployment advantage:
Unlike conventional UCAVs, the TB3 is carrier-capable, designed to operate from short-runway naval vessels like Turkey’s TCG Anadolu.
Its foldable wings allow it to fit on compact naval decks, making it ideal for maritime strike and ISR missions.
With its long endurance, high-altitude capability, and versatile strike power, the TB3 is a game-changing UCAV, enhancing Turkey’s maritime and aerial combat capabilities significantly.
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