The latest version of Bayraktar TB2, Türkiye’s first-ever indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), marks nothing short of the aircraft’s rebirth—now equipped with a turbo engine and advanced artificial intelligence. The next-generation Bayraktar TB2T-AI, set to tilt the balance of power on the battlefield with its superior altitude, high speed, and AI-powered smart flight capabilities, has officially taken to the skies with a series of successful test flights

KEŞAN, 21 FEBRUARY 2025

Indigenously developed by Baykar as Türkiye’s first-ever unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the Bayraktar TB2 is set to break new ground on the battlefield with its latest iteration—now equipped with a turbo engine and advanced artificial intelligence systems.
The next-generation Bayraktar TB2T-AI, currently undergoing successful flight tests in Keşan, will further cement its position as the world’s leading aircraft in its class, offering superior altitude, high-speed performance, and AI-powered smart flight capabilities.

HIGH PERFORMANCE WITH TURBO ENGINE
Equipped with a turbo engine, the Bayraktar TB2T-AI can climb to 30,000+ feet in under 30 minutes. During test flights in Keşan, the next-generation indigenous UCAV surpassed its own altitude record, reaching 30,318 feet.
By ascending faster and sustaining high altitudes longer than existing UAVs, the Bayraktar TB2T-AI has gained a decisive edge in the air, achieving a top speed of 160 knots (300 km/h). With its enhanced maximum takeoff weight and expanded payload capacity, the aircraft is set to operate more effectively and for longer durations on the battlefield.

AI-ASSISTED AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT
The Bayraktar TB2T-AI UCAV brings superior autonomous capabilities to air warfare with three integrated next-generation AI computers. Additionally, the new indigenous UCAV has gained the ability to conduct terrain-referenced visual cruise flights, ensuring operational resilience even in the face of electronic warfare threats.
Powered by advanced artificial intelligence systems, the aircraft utilizes visual navigation to recognize terrain and orient itself. It can also analyze targets for detection and identification, as well as perform fully autonomous takeoff and landing by visually recognizing runways. Moreover, with dynamic route planning, the TB2T-AI can autonomously determine the most optimal flight paths, enhancing its efficiency and adaptability in complex operational environments.

FORCE MULTIPLIER IN COMBAT
Set to become a game changer on the battlefield, the Bayraktar TB2T-AI UCAV has what it takes to overcome any challenge. In the event of a mid-flight emergency, its AI-supported systems enable the aircraft to automatically return to base. With this advanced capability, the Bayraktar TB2T-AI takes resilience and operational safety on the battlefield to the highest level.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION FLIGHT HOURS
Having entered Türkiye’s military inventory in 2014, the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV has achieved an impressive 93% localization rate and continues to serve on a global scale. In December 2024, it reached a historic milestone, surpassing one million flight hours—cementing its status as the longest-flying indigenous aircraft in Turkish aviation history.
Bayraktar TB2s are currently in service with the Turkish Armed Forces, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), the Gendarmerie General Command, the Turkish National Police, and the Coast Guard Command. Additionally, they support the Directorate General of Forestry in the fight against forest fires.

HOLDER OF RECORDS
The Bayraktar TB2, which holds some of the most significant records in Turkish aviation history, previously set the national altitude record at 27,030 feet. Additionally, on July 16, 2019, the indigenous UCAV set another record, remaining airborne for 27 hours and 3 minutes during a demo flight in Kuwait—despite extreme heat and sandstorms.

BARREL ROLL
The Bayraktar TB2, Türkiye’s indigenous UCAV, which has pioneered numerous firsts in Turkish aviation history, once again made history on May 31, 2024, by successfully performing an autonomous barrel roll maneuver during test flights—becoming the first and only UCAV in the world to achieve this feat.
The barrel roll, a critical evasive maneuver used by fighter jets, had never been successfully executed by any UCAV until now.

THE HERO OF KARABAKH
In addition to playing a key role in Türkiye’s fight against terrorism, Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs have proven their effectiveness through superior performance in international operations. Deployed across the globe, these indigenous aircraft have played a crucial role in conflicts in Libya, Ukraine, Mali, and Burkina Faso—as well as in the liberation of Karabakh, ending three decades of occupation.

IN NATO AND EU SKIES
Baykar’s indigenous and original product, the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV, has successfully entered the inventories of countries worldwide by proving itself in competitive selection processes. In recent years, it outperformed rivals from the United States, Europe, and China in a competitive evaluation overseen by Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense, securing a major export agreement.
This achievement not only solidified Baykar’s global impact but also expanded its presence across NATO and the European Union in 2024. With the signing of an agreement with Croatia on November 19, 2024, the Bayraktar TB2 officially entered the inventories of six NATO allies and four EU member states.

FROM EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE TO WILDFIRE PREVENTION
In addition to their security-related missions, indigenous UCAVs play a crucial role in civilian operations—from responding to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods to search-and-rescue efforts, monitoring irregular migration, and combating wildfires.
After providing critical support in the aftermath of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Sivrice, Elazığ on January 24, 2020, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs played a vital role following the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş. Over the course of the mission, 42 Bayraktar TB2s—including eight equipped with the Baykar Rapid Mapping Pod—flew a total of 2,417 hours and six minutes, contributing to disaster response and relief efforts.
Moreover, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs played a crucial role in wildfire prevention and response, detecting a total of 4,091 wildfires between 2020 and 2024 in the fight against forest fires.

EXPORT CHAMPION
Having self-financed all its projects since its establishment, Baykar has generated 83% of its revenue from exports since launching its UAV R&D program in 2003. In 2023, the company’s exports reached $1.8 billion, making it one of Türkiye’s top ten exporters across all sectors.
As the largest company in the global unmanned aerial vehicle export market, Baykar sustained its success in 2024, once again achieving $1.8 billion in exports and generating 90% of its revenue from exports.

HIGH-TECH EXPORTS TO 36 COUNTRIES
Recognized with the Champions of Export Award, Baykar led the defense and aviation sector in exports in 2021, 2022, and 2023 according to the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM). Having single-handedly accounted for one-third of the industry’s exports the previous year, the company accounted for a quarter of all defense and aviation exports in 2024—elevating Türkiye to leadership in the global UCAV export market.
97.5% of Baykar’s existing contracts stem from exports. To date, the company has signed export agreements with 34 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and 11 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV—36 nations altogether.