Baykar has unveiled the next evolution of its renowned battlefield drones programme: the Bayraktar TB2T-AI.
Since its debut as Türkiye’s first domestic unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) in 2014, the Bayraktar TB2 has gained renown on the battlefield—especially in Ukraine, where it proved so vital to Ukrainian defenders early in Russia’s invasion that it even had a song written about it.
Fitted with a turbo engine and advanced AI systems, the Bayraktar TB2T-AI aims to set new benchmarks for battlefield drones. Currently undergoing flight tests in Keşan, Türkiye, the upgraded UCAV promises superior performance, increased resilience, and autonomy that further cements its position.
Capabilities of the Bayraktar TB2T-AI
The next-generation Bayraktar TB2T-AI boasts a powerful turbo engine. During its testing phase, the aircraft smashed its own altitude record by soaring to 30,318 feet. Not only can it climb to 30,000+ feet in under 30 minutes, but it also sustains high altitudes longer than its competitors, giving it a crucial edge in combat scenarios.
With a maximum speed of 160 knots (300 km/h), an increased maximum takeoff weight, and a higher payload capacity, the TB2T-AI is engineered to perform longer missions and carry out more complex operations. These advancements make it an invaluable asset to any battlefield scenario requiring persistence, speed, and flexibility.
What sets the Bayraktar TB2T-AI apart from its current peers is the powerful AI systems integrated into its architecture. Equipped with three next-generation AI computers, the UCAV offers fully autonomous flight capabilities—ensuring resilience even in electronic warfare environments.
Using advanced visual navigation, the Bayraktar TB2T-AI interprets terrain and adjusts its orientation without external inputs. This capability enables the aircraft to autonomously conduct terrain-referenced visual cruise flights, detect and identify targets, and execute takeoffs and landings by visually recognising runways.
Another standout feature is its dynamic route planning system, which enables the UCAV to autonomously chart the most efficient flight paths in ever-changing operational landscapes.
Enhancing the resilience of battlefield drones
In the high-stakes environment of modern warfare, resilience is critical. The Bayraktar TB2T-AI delivers on this front with AI-supported emergency systems that allow the aircraft to automatically return to base in the event of an in-air malfunction.
This autonomous recovery system empowers decision-making under duress, reducing the risk of mission failure and ensuring the aircraft can remain operational in the harshest conditions. The TB2T-AI is thus not just a game-changer in terms of offensive capability but also in operational safety and reliability.
Building on the proven legacy of the Bayraktar programme
The Bayraktar TB2 programme has consistently raised the bar for Türkiye and the global UAV market. With an impressive localisation rate of 93%, the platform has clocked more than one million flight hours to date.
The record-setting UCAV achieved a historic milestone in July 2019 by remaining airborne for 27 hours and three minutes in Kuwait.
In a show of technical mastery, the Bayraktar TB2 executed an autonomous barrel roll on 31 May 2024. This complex manoeuvre, typically performed only by manned fighter jets, marked the first time any UCAV globally has demonstrated such advanced aerobatic capabilities.
Since joining Türkiye’s military inventory in 2014, the Bayraktar TB2 has supported a vast array of missions for agencies such as the Turkish Armed Forces, the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), and the Gendarmerie General Command.
Not confined to military operations, the Bayraktar TB2 has also demonstrated exceptional utility in civilian missions, including wildfire detection, search-and-rescue efforts, and earthquake response.
During Türkiye’s devastating earthquakes in 2023, 42 units — including eight equipped with Baykar’s Rapid Mapping Pod — played a key role in disaster assessment and relief efforts, totalling 2,417 operational hours.
The TB2 has similarly excelled in combating environmental crises, including detecting over 4,000 wildfires between 2020 and 2024. The dual-use capabilities of the UCAV make it a force multiplier for both national security and civilian missions.
Bayraktar TB2T-AI: Setting new standards for battlefield drones
With performance that rivals and surpasses drones from the US, Europe, and China, the Bayraktar TB2 has quickly become a go-to solution for nations seeking dependable and high-tech UCAVs. In 2024, the aircraft entered the inventories of six NATO allies and four EU member states, including Croatia.
As the next-generation Bayraktar TB2T-AI continues testing, Baykar’s focus on developing AI-driven, resilient, and high-performance aircraft reflects the future of modern warfare and multipurpose UAV applications.
Whether it’s achieving new altitude records, pioneering autonomous flight capabilities, or proving its versatility in disaster-response missions, the Bayraktar TB2T-AI is setting new standards for unmanned combat.
(Image credit: Baykar)
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