BAYRAKTAR TB2 BECOMES FIRST UCAV TO PERFORM AUTONOMOUS SPIN RECOVERY

Bayraktar TB2, Türkiye’s indigenous UCAV, has marked yet another first in global aviation history by successfully performing an autonomous spin recovery maneuver.

Keşan, Edirne
9 April 2025

After performing an autonomous barrel roll on May 31, 2024, Bayraktar TB2 has now broken new ground in global aviation by successfully completing an autonomous spin recovery maneuver.

YET ANOTHER UNPRECEDENTED ACHİEVEMENT
During test flights, the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV successfully completed an autonomous spin recovery maneuver. The aircraft was deliberately put into a spin mid-flight and, using its advanced control algorithms, autonomously recovered from this critical situation—returning safely to stable, level flight. This maneuver—which no armed unmanned aerial vehicle had successfully performed until now—enables the platform to continue its mission even in the event of a loss of control, significantly enhancing its operational reliability.

AUTONOMOUS SPİN RECOVERY MANEUVER
A spin is an extremely dangerous aerodynamic condition in which an aircraft suddenly becomes unstable, begins spinning rapidly around its own axis, and loses significant altitude. During testing, the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV was deliberately put into this condition. Using its advanced autonomous control algorithms, it successfully recovered from the spin and returned to stable, level flight. Bayraktar TB2’s ability to autonomously recover from a spin highlights the platform’s advanced flight control system, cutting-edge maneuvering autonomy, and robust software capabilities.

CUTTİNG-EDGE MANEUVERİNG AUTONOMY
Bayraktar TB2 continues to enhance its autonomous maneuvering capabilities through its advanced software infrastructure and flight control systems. On May 31, 2024, it became the first-ever unmanned aerial vehicle to successfully perform an autonomous barrel roll. Most recently, during test flights, the platform demonstrated its ability to handle loss-of-control scenarios by executing an autonomous spin recovery maneuver. Both maneuvers involved highly challenging flight conditions. Bayraktar TB2’s ability to autonomously manage such scenarios represents a significant advancement in mission continuity and flight safety, while also showcasing the platform’s cutting-edge maneuvering autonomy.

BAYRAKTAR TB2T-AI
The new version of Bayraktar TB2—Türkiye’s first indigenous and originally developed UCAV by Baykar—is set to break new ground on the battlefield with its turbo engine and advanced artificial intelligence systems. Currently undergoing successful flight tests in Keşan, the next-generation Bayraktar TB2T-AI will continue to serve as the world’s leading aircraft in its class, thanks to its turbo-powered engine, high speed, superior altitude performance, and intelligent flight capabilities.

1 MILLION HOURS IN THE SKY
The Bayraktar TB2 UCAV has surpassed one million flight hours, becoming the longest-serving indigenous aircraft in the skies.

AROUND THE WORLD 3742 TIMES

Baykar—now the world’s largest UCAV manufacturer, surpassing its American, Israeli, and Chinese competitors—has propelled Türkiye to global leadership in the UCAV market with a 65% share, thanks to its remarkable export success. The Bayraktar TB2, which played a key role in this achievement, has flown approximately 150 million kilometers over the course of more than one million flight hours. Over this long journey, Türkiye’s indigenous UCAVs have covered a distance equivalent to circling the globe (40,075 km) 3,742 times.

LEAD TÜRKİYE TO GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
The Bayraktar TB2’s remarkable success in conflict zones such as Libya, Karabakh, and Ukraine has propelled Türkiye to the forefront of the global UCAV market. In 2021, the country became the world’s largest exporter of armed drones, surpassing the United States, Israel, and China. With its advanced technology, cost-effectiveness, rapid delivery, and proven performance in combat, the Bayraktar TB2 has become the platform of choice for numerous nations across the globe. According to a report by the Washington-based think tank CNAS (Center for a New American Security), Türkiye accounted for 65% of global UCAV exports—a major milestone. This innovative approach to defense manufacturing has not only positioned Türkiye as a military leader but also strengthened its influence in strategic diplomacy and international security.

IN NATO AND EU SKIES
Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs are being inducted into the inventories of countries around the world through competitive selection processes. In 2023, the platform was chosen by Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense after outperforming American, European, and Chinese rivals during evaluation trials—paving the way for a major export agreement between Baykar and the Kuwaiti government.

Meanwhile, the number of regions where Bayraktar TB2s are in active service continues to grow. On November 19, 2024, Baykar signed an export agreement with Croatia in Zagreb. With this deal, as of November 2024, the Bayraktar TB2 had officially entered the inventories of six NATO member states and four European Union countries. 

RECORD LOCALIZATION RATE
Since the early 2000s, Baykar has been developing the most critical and high value-added components of unmanned aerial vehicles—namely software and hardware systems—indigenously and originally through its team of Turkish engineers. With robust engineering capabilities across 13 disciplines, Baykar is recognized as one of the world’s leading technology developers in its field. The Bayraktar TB2 UCAV, whose critical components, design, and software are all developed in-house by Baykar, is manufactured at the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul. With a 93% contribution from the domestic industry, Bayraktar TB2 holds a world-leading record in localization.

HOLDER OF RECORDS
On July 16, 2019, during a demonstration flight held in Kuwait, the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV set a new record by flying continuously for 27 hours and 3 minutes under harsh geographical and climatic conditions such as extreme heat and sandstorms.

The indigenous UCAVs continue to operate in a wide range of adverse weather conditions—from desert heat to freezing cold, snow, and storms—across many different regions of the world, from Europe to Africa.

By remaining airborne for 27 hours and 3 minutes in the tactical class, the Bayraktar TB2 set the longest endurance record in Turkish aviation history, and by reaching an altitude of 30,318 feet, it also broke the national altitude record.

Having exceeded one million flight hours, this nationally developed UCAV has achieved a milestone that is difficult to surpass and has secured its place in Turkish aviation history.

It also holds the title of being the longest-serving aircraft to have successfully served Türkiye.

EXPORT CHAMPION
Baykar, which has carried out all of its projects with its own resources since its founding, has earned 83% of its total income from exports since the start of its UAV R&D efforts in 2003.

With $1.8 billion in exports in 2023, Baykar ranked among the top 10 exporting companies across all sectors in Türkiye.

As the world’s largest exporter in the unmanned aerial vehicle market, Baykar continued its global success in 2024 as well, once again achieving $1.8 billion in exports and generating 90% of its revenue from international sales.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST UAV COMPANY: BAYKAR

Baykar, recipient of the “Export Champions” award, was recognized as the export leader of the defense and aerospace sector in 2021, 2022, and 2023 according to data from the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM).

In the previous year, Baykar alone accounted for one-third of all sector exports, and in 2024, it once again led the field by carrying out one-fourth of the total defense and aerospace exports on its own—elevating Türkiye to a position of leadership in the global UCAV export market.

As the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle company, Baykar has signed export agreements with a total of 36 countries—34 for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and 11 for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV.