Developed by Baykar, the architect of Türkiye’s indigenous and original UAVs, Bayraktar VTOL continues to undergo tests successfully.

Keşan, Edirne

7 April 2024

The Bayraktar Vertical Landing and Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL) successfully passed a series of system identification tests during its 24th flight.

30th FLIGHT TEST

Bayraktar KALKAN VTOL, which Baykar developed indigenously and originally, successfully completed its 30th flight test. The system identification tests were successfully performed during a flight at the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan, Edirne. The aircraft, which has the ability to participate in reconnaissance and surveillance missions, climbed to 14.500 feet and remained airborne for 70 hours.

IN THE AIR WITH THE WITH BAYKAR BG-160 CAMERA

Capable of automatic route tracking, target tracking, circling and returning home, Bayraktar KALKAN VTOL performed its flight test with the Baykar BG-160 camera, which Baykar has developed completely indigenously and originally. Bayraktar KALKAN VTOL can also capture high-resolution images at night thanks to the Baykar BG-160 Electro-Optical System and its thermal imaging capability. The indigenous VTOL can successfully carry out reconnaissance, surveillance and target detection tasks day and night.

NO NEED FOR A RUNWAY

Bayraktar KALKAN VTOL, powered by 4 electric motors and 1 low -consumption indigenous petrol engine, takes off vertically with its electric motors and proceeds to use its petrol engine exclusively in the cruise flight mode. Reaching a maximum altitude of 14,000+ feet with its engines, the aircraft can remain airborne for more than seven hours. Capable of vertical take-off and landing, the indigenous VTOL can seamless perform mission flights in base areas and on floating platforms –which means that it does not require a runway.

EXPORT CHAMPION

Baykar, which has self-financed all its projects since its establishment, generated 83% of its total revenue from exports since launching its UAV R&D program in 2003. According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly’s (TIM), Baykar became the top exporter in the defense and aerospace sector in 2021 and 2022.

The Defense Industry Agency announced that Baykar was also the sector’s top exporter in 2023 with $1.8 billion. Baykar, which generated more than 90% of its revenue from exports in recent years, single-handedly accounted for one third of the defense and aerospace sector's exports in 2023. Export agreements have been signed with a total of 34 countries –including 33 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV and 9 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV.