// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Bayraktar TB2
The Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish-made combat drone designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes with guided munitions. It is known for being relatively inexpensive and highly effective, gaining significant international prominence for its role in conflicts like the Russo-Ukrainian War.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Baykar Technology. It is engineered for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and can be armed with MAM-L and MAM-C smart micro munitions for precision air-to-ground strikes, operating with a high degree of autonomy.
BACKGROUND
Bayraktar TB2 is a family of medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar for the Turkish Armed Forces and export markets. The aircraft are monitored and controlled by an aircrew in a ground control station, including weapons employment. The development of the UAV has been largely credited to Selçuk Bayraktar, a former MIT graduate student along with his brother Haluk Bayraktar. It is the first UCAV in the world that successfully performs a barrel roll and also an autonomous spin recovery maneuver. It is also the most produced and export-successful UCAV in the world. Baykar now has a production capacity of 250 Bayraktar TB2s per year and is aiming to increase the production capacity to 500 per year. Baykar is also going to start a production line for the Bayraktar TB2 along with the Bayraktar Akıncı at its Italy-based subsidiary, Piaggio Aerospace. New production lines for the Bayraktar TB2 are going to start by the equal joint venture company established by Baykar and Leonardo known as LBA Systems, along with the Bayraktar TB3, Bayraktar Akıncı and Bayraktar Kızılelma.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- TB2
- Bayraktar drone
- Turkish UCAV
- Baykar TB2
- Combat drone
- Tactical UAV
USAGE NOTE
The TB2's success is often cited as a key example of how affordable, yet capable, drones are changing the dynamics of modern warfare.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Bayraktar TB2.
The Turkish defense company that designs, develops, and manufactures the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) and its ground control systems.
A major Turkish weapons manufacturer that produces the precision-guided smart micro munitions (MAM-L and MAM-C) used as the primary armament for the Bayraktar TB2.
A Turkish defense corporation that develops and manufactures the indigenous CATS (Common Aperture Targeting System) electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret for the TB2, replacing foreign-supplied systems.
A Turkish aerospace engine manufacturer that developed the TEI-PD170, a domestic turboprop engine designed to power Turkish UAVs like the TB2 and its successor, the Akıncı.
A Ukrainian state-owned design bureau that develops aircraft engines. Its AI-450 series engines have been used to power later variants of the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı.
A Canadian subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies that manufactured the CMX-15D EO/IR imaging and targeting turrets used on early models of the Bayraktar TB2 before export restrictions were imposed.
An Austrian engine manufacturer owned by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). Its Rotax 912 piston engines were used in the initial production models of the Bayraktar TB2.