TUSAŞ’s second Anka-III stealth UCAV prototype performed a flight alongside the first one, both UCAVs being controlled by the same ground control station.
For the 110th anniversary of Çanakkale Naval Victory and Matyr’s Day, TUSAŞ tested a critical Anka-III capability for future operational capabilities.
Besides the importance of the second prototype making its flight, which was first displayed in TUSAŞ’s XL tour for the public, the formation flight of the two prototypes were controlled from the same ground control station.
This makes the test important for Anka-III’s future multi-platform operation and the OKU (Autonomous Formation Flight) MUM-T system. OKU will allow multiple Anka-III and other UAVs to be controlled by KAAN fighter jets with the assistance of AI.
Demonstrating simultaneous control of more than one platform from one control point can be regarded as one leg on the road to this future capability for the KAAN fighter jet.
Anka-III is a flying wing jet-powered UCAV with low observability. The internal bays and flying wing form allow stealth, but external stores are also available. Munition tests have been performed from both internal (TOLUN SDB dropped) and external (TOLUN SDB, TEBER-82, and LGK-82 dropped) hardpoints.
The UCAV is being developed with air-to-surface and ISR missions in mind, with sensors fitting for these missions in development (TOYGUN-100 EOTS, MURAD AESA radar variant...). Thus, there is an approach in Turkiye regarding the development of UCAVs to accompany fighter jets with Baykar’s Kızılelma unmanned fighter to fill the air-to-air role.
Future developments in Anka-III include a possible naval variant for the MUGEM aircraft carrier and a supersonic derivative powered by two TF10000 turbofans.
