The wise Greek people use various short but meaningful expressions when they want to succinctly describe a situation.
One of them is "where there's smoke, there's fire", which perfectly fits the case of TB-3 BAYRAKTAR.
TAI official, namely TUSAŞ UAV Systems Deputy General Manager Ömer Yıldız, announced the "latest status" of the TB-3 BAYRAKTAR project, trying to convince that everything is under control regarding the progress rate based on its schedule
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The construction of TB-3 BAYRAKTAR presents problems-difficulties
In a relevant Turkish media article, the following is highlighted:
"Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has been developing the ANKA-3 unmanned combat aircraft for some time now. TUSAŞ UAV Systems Deputy General Manager Ömer Yıldız explained the latest situation on ANKA-3.
In a statement Yıldız made to Güntay Şimşek at the airport he said:
“Due to supply issues, we manufactured many parts of the ANKA-3 ourselves. We also had problems with these parts we built ourselves. There was an asymmetry problem with the brakes, we fixed it. If we fly it in June, we will have it within 17 months of the start of the project."
Ömer Yıldız's statement also summarizes the delay in the ANKA-3 program, which was originally scheduled to make its maiden flight in April.
ANKA-3, which has a very challenging design since it has no vertical stabilization, i.e. no tail, is developed in the 'flying wing' architecture.
The main task of the ANKA-3, which is known to have a low radar cross-sectional area, will be to attack targets beyond enemy lines, which is referred to as a "deep strike".
To this end, the ANKA-3 will have internal weapon receptacles and long-range guided munitions compatible with them.
TAI ANKA-3 -Technical specifications
Altitude: 40,000 feet
Maximum speed. Mach 0.7
Payload: 1200 kg
Flight time: 10 hours
Main tasks of ANKA-3
Identification-surveillance-information
Attack with different air-to-ground munitions.
Air-to-air artillery and enemy helicopters, propeller planes
Neutralizing enemy RF-emitting radar and air defense systems;
Protection of friendly forces in the air and on land;
Signal and communications operation in electronic warfare conditions
Operation and communication with other friendly weapon systems.
The contribution of Ukrainian engines
The ANKA-3 unmanned combat aircraft uses a turbofan engine supplied by Ukraine.
Engines provided/supplied by Ukraine are/will be used on TAI's T929 Heavy Class Attack Helicopter, Super Şimşek and T925 Utility Helicopter platforms.
The AKINCI and KIZILELMA platforms, also developed by BAYKAR, use Ukrainian-made engines.
BAYKAR originally sourced engines from Ukraine and upgraded them to Al-450, at AKINCI TİHA.
Conclusion
The above is a clear indication of the capabilities of the Turkish defense industry, since its drone and helicopter engines are Ukrainian, amply proving the reasons for providing Zelensky with TB-2 BAYRAKTAR from Turkey at the beginning of the war with Russia.
It was essentially a Turkish move, based on the TB-2 BAYRAKTAR in Ukraine and receiving engines from it for the development of AKINCI, KIZILELMA, TB-3 BAYRAKTAR, General Purpose and Attack helicopters.
Also indicative is the admission of the Deputy General Manager of TUSAŞ UAV Systems Ömer Yıldız, that there were problems with those parts of the TB-3 BAYRAKTAR that the Turks made themselves, mentioning an asymmetry problem with the brakes, which was finally resolved according to same.
In conclusion, we would say that the potential of the Turkish defense industry is not as great as the Turks make it out to be, since it relies on other countries for key parts of weapon systems, such as aircraft engines.
Then they either integrate them as they are or develop a variant of them which they integrate.
Nevertheless, we should recognize that they are gradually acquiring the know-how in important areas of the defense industry.
