Combat drone Bayraktar TB3 hits naval target with IHA-122 supersonic missile

In November 2024, the Bayraktar TB3 became the first unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) to successfully take off from and land on a ship with a short flight deck. Since then, the combat drone developed by Baykar has made significant progress in the integration of weapons and payloads.

A successful firing test now marks a milestone: a few days ago, the PT3 test aircraft took off from Dalaman airfield in Muğla province, armed with a new IHA-122 supersonic missile developed by Roketsan, to engage a naval target. On the very first attempt, the Bayraktar TB3 precisely hit the floating 6 × 6 metre target from a distance of more than 50 kilometres.

The attack was supported by a Bayraktar TB2, which marked the target from the air with a laser. The TB3 then successfully engaged the illuminated position. According to an official statement, the test demonstrated “the coordinated operational capability of two airborne UCAVs in target reconnaissance and engagement”.

Combat drone on development schedule, alliance with Leonardo

According to Baykar, the integration of weapons and payloads into the TB3 is continuing as planned in the development schedule. Earlier, a test with the precision-guided MAM-T bomb had already been completed successfully, hitting the target with pinpoint accuracy.

Alongside technical testing, international cooperation is also progressing: on 6 March in Rome, Baykar and Leonardo signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop unmanned technologies. According to the two companies, the aim is “to combine Baykar's expertise in UCAVs and artificial intelligence with Leonardo's strengths in mission systems, payload integration and certification”.

The partnership is also to cover space technologies. With the strategic alliance, Baykar and Leonardo aim to close defence gaps and advance technological innovation in modern warfare.