Three Turkish combat drones, an Akinci and two Bayraktar TB2s, landed on and took off from the Manisa-Balıkesir highway in an emergency drill on 12 November, their maker Baykar said on 13 November. The drill tested how the drones can operate when normal runways cannot be used.
The Akinci started from Çorlu and a TB2 that Baykar uses for training and testing from Keşan, while the Turkish Land Forces flew the second TB2 from İzmir. The section of road was chosen after field surveys across Türkiye.
Baykar ran the drill together with the Defence Ministry and the General Directorate of Highways, with fire crews and ambulances on standby. Police and gendarmerie secured the route, and representatives of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry watched.
Baykar said it plans to extend the capability to all its uncrewed aircraft, including the Kızılelma uncrewed fighter jet and the Bayraktar TB3.
Also reported by Militaire.gr
Background
Baykar
Organization
Turkish defence company that makes the Bayraktar family of armed drones, including the TB2, TB3 and Akinci.
More stories about Baykar
Akinci
Aircraft
High-altitude, long-endurance armed drone made by Turkey's Baykar. The first three entered Turkish service in August 2021.
More stories about Akinci
Bayraktar TB2
Armed drone
The Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish medium-altitude, long-endurance armed drone, in service since 2014 and, Baykar says, exported to 36 countries.
