(MENAFN) Baykar, the Turkish defense firm, announced on Tuesday that its Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) achieved a significant milestone by reaching an altitude of 36,310 feet (11 kilometers) during high-altitude system identification and performance tests. This accomplishment marks the TB3's highest altitude achieved to date, showcasing its capabilities in aerial operations.

Equipped with the domestically developed PD-170 engine by Turkish aerospace engine manufacturer Tusas Engine Industries (TEI), the Bayraktar TB3 continues to push boundaries in unmanned aviation. Its performance trajectory aligns it closer to the altitude record set by another Baykar UCAV, the Bayraktar AKINCI, which holds the record at 45,118 feet (13.7 kilometers).

During the tests, the TB3 utilized a ramp mimicking conditions similar to the deck of the TCG Anadolu, the Turkish Navy's amphibious assault ship where the drone is slated for deployment. This strategic positioning allows the TB3 to fulfill roles requiring high-altitude reconnaissance and operational flexibility.

Since the commencement of testing, the Bayraktar TB3 has accumulated a total flight time of 445 hours and 3 minutes. Notably, on December 20, 2023, it completed a 32-hour flight covering an impressive 3,541 miles (5,700 kilometers), highlighting its endurance and range capabilities.

Designed with a folding wing structure, the Bayraktar TB3 is uniquely suited for operations on short-runway ships like the TCG Anadolu, marking it as the first UCAV of its kind. Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar has previously outlined plans to commence testing the TB3 on the TCG Anadolu in 2024, underscoring ongoing advancements in Turkish unmanned aviation technology.

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