Bayraktar TB3 UCAV made its international debut in action at the Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise by hitting a sea target after taking off from TCG ANADOLU.
The Turkish Navy has scored the first use of a shipborne UCAV in a NATO exercise at the Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise off the coast of the Baltic Sea with the TCG ANADOLU LHD (L400) and Bayraktar TB3.
Bayraktar TB3, taking off from TCG ANADOLU, hit a sea target with two MAM-L glide munitions and proceeded to land on the LHD. MAM-L as a lightweight munition is among Bayraktar TB3’s main armament options with laser and MITL versions (TV or IIR seeker).
Turkiye with the Largest Attending Force at Steadfast Dart
Currently, Turkiye is fielding the largest force among the participants in Steadfast Dart 2026 with the Army and Navy. About 2000 personnel from the Turkish Armed Forces participating in the exercise corresponds to one-fifth of the total.
Some of the notable ships from the Turkish Navy include TCG ANADOLU LHD, I-class frigate TCG İstanbul (F-515), and Barbaros-class frigate TCG Oruçreis (F-245) with its recent upgrade.
The 66th Mechanised Infantry Brigade of the Turkish Army is also present in the exercise, deployed from TCG ANADOLU with BMC VURAN 4x4 tactical armoured vehicles. In addition to the brigade, logistics support vehicles and containers were onboard TCG ANADOLU.
What Bayrakar TB3 Offers to an Amphibious Task Force?
Bayraktar TB3, as a MALE UCAV with STOL capabilities to operate from LHD-class ships, offers both potent ISR and surgical strike to an amphibious task force provided that there is a runway to take off from like TCG ANADOLU’s. Thanks to low stall speed and rugged landing gear, Bayraktar TB3 does not need a catapult and arresting gear for operation.
Depending on the payload, Bayraktar TB3’s endurance varies from 21 hours to 32 hours. For ISR, the UCAV typically carries the ASELFLIR 500 EO/IR system, but this can be swapped out for a small AESA radar for long-range surveillance. Other sensory payloads like sonobuoys and EW pods are possible as well.
For the armament part, Bayraktar TB3 can carry up to 280 kg of payload. Armament tested so far includes MAM-L (Laser and TV variants) and MAM-T glide munitions, UAV-122 aeroballistic missile, and KEMANKEŞ 1 loitering munition. Other munitions such as TOLUN SDB and SUNGUR air-to-air missiles are planned for the UCAV.
Beyond its own armament, Bayraktar TB3 has demonstrated its ability to direct kamikaze USVs like ASELSAN’s ALBATROS-S to the target thanks to its functions as a spotter and a relay. This can be extended to supporting anti-ship missiles or combined attacks at midcourse by feeding target location from a long range.
Everything summed up, Bayraktar TB3 can support both landing forces and ASuW operations with its ISTAR and precision strike capabilities even at its early stage of deployment. The UCAV’s mission portfolio is expected to expand with new payload options in the future.
Italy as a Customer and Partner for Bayraktar TB3
A year before Bayraktar TB3 attended the Steadfast Dart 2026, Baykar and Leonardo formed the LBA Systems JV to produce various UAVs of Baykar, including Bayraktar TB3, in Italy. According to the statement of Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani, the certification process for Italian ships with flight decks is to be held in 2026. The STOL UCAV will be produced in Leonardo’s Ronchi dei Legionari facility.
Besides the procurement and production plans, Leonardo is also eager to integrate its payloads to Bayraktar TB3, such as Osprey AESA radars (Osprey 30 in use by Polish Bayraktar TB2s), LEOSS-T EO/IR system, and ULISSES sonobuoy processor.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
