SKYDAGGER General Manager, Mehmet Öztekin, hinted that Baykar’s platforms, such as Bayraktar TB3, AKINCI, and KIZILELMA, could carry stacks of small UAVs.
In his interview with SAHA İstanbul on SAHA Talks, Mehmet Öztekin disclosed that SKYDAGGER’s family of FPV UAVs might be seen onboard Baykar’s UCAV platforms after their introduction in the conventional manner.
Öztekin, touching on the launch test of SKYDAGGER 7 FPV from Baykar’s KALKAN VTOL UAV, stated that the test forms the framework for the integration of a large number of small UAVs on larger and more capable platforms of Baykar, like Bayraktar TB2, TB3, AKINCI, and even KIZILELMA.
UAV mothership concept, while not on a major scale, was utilised by Ukraine using large multi-copter UAVs dropping and establishing a connection with smaller kamikaze UAVs. However, this application is limited in range and carriage.
On the other hand, China has shown the extremely large (Comparable to a small cargo aircraft) Jiutian UCAV with a large fuselage and jet engine that completed its maiden flight not too long ago. According to the local sources, Jiutian can deploy small fixed-wing UAVs in large numbers from its side-mounted bays while carrying weaponry under wings.
Deploying UAV swarms is primarily beneficial for ISR missions, with faster scanning of an area, and SEAD/DEAD or attacks on dispersed targets due to the quick deployment of many UAVs in an 'instant'.
However, some challenges to developing airborne swarm capabilities are present, mainly communication and the range of UAVs being deployed. The former is not only a matter of managing multiple signal exchanges but also building a coordinated swarm that requires the least input from the operator. On the other hand, especially with small UAVs, the range mainly impacts the survivability of the 'mothership', especially in the presence of advanced air defence systems.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
