--- title: "TB3 Operates From Turkey’s ‘Drone Carrier’ Amphibious Assault Ship For The First Time" description: "A Bayraktar TB3 uncrewed aircraft has successfully landed on and taken off from the Turkish Navy’s [‘drone carrier’ TCG *Anadolu*]() for the first time. TB3s, which can be armed with small precision munitions and conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions, are…" date: "2024-11-19" modified: "2024-11-19" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/tb3-drone-lands-takes-off-from-turkeys-drone-carrier-amphibious-assault-ship" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "Big Deck Amphibious Assault Ships" - "Drones" - "Middle East" - "News & Features" - "Sea" - "Turkey" - "Unmanned" --- # TB3 Operates From Turkey’s ‘Drone Carrier’ Amphibious Assault Ship For The First Time ![A Bayraktar TB3 uncrewed aircraft has successfully landed on and taken off from the Turkish Navy’s ‘drone carrier’ TCG Anadolu.]() *Selçuk Bayraktar capture via X* A Bayraktar TB3 uncrewed aircraft has successfully landed on and taken off from the Turkish Navy’s [‘drone carrier’ TCG *Anadolu*]() for the first time. TB3s, which can be armed with small precision munitions and conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions, are set to be a central component of the ship's air wing. Selcuk Bayraktar, chief technology officer at the TB3's manufacturer Baykar, posted videos of [the TB3's]() milestone achievements aboard *Anadolu* on social media earlier today. Bayraktar had previously posted clips showing one of the drones making approaches and flying over the ship's flight deck, but not actually touching down. https://twitter.com/Selcuk/status/1858890686147260649 https://twitter.com/Selcuk/status/1854599520660738418 More specific details about the new TB3 testing aboard *Anadolu*, including what degree of automation and/or autonomy was involved, remain limited. The TB3 [flew for the first time]() last year and conducted its first land-based ski-jump takeoff test earlier this year. The drone is a navalized variant of the combat-proven TB2, which [Ukrainian forces extensively employed]() in [the opening phases]() of Russia's all-out invasion. TB2s have also seen combat [in Syria]() and [Libya](), as well as in [fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia](). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKWuRf6Z3pM&list=PLfgJ0XFJP7m3mEm5HNyUZOB1x2mgbNDw3&index=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smeqIrAR9jA The *Anadolu*'s design is based on that of Spain’s [*Juan Carlos I* amphibious assault ship]() and it features a large open flight deck with a ski-jump at the bow. The Turkish vessel also has a well-deck at the rear for launching and recovering landing craft, as well as spaces internally for accommodating tanks and other vehicles and ground personnel, to support traditional amphibious operations. ![]() *The TCG *Anadolu*. *Ozan Guzelce/via Getty Images** In 2023, Turkish authorities announced plans to optimize the ship's configuration to support drone operations. Modifications to support that shift in focus would include the addition of dedicated control stations and accompanying beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications terminals, a [‘roller system’]() on the flight deck toward the bow to help launch uncrewed aircraft, an arresting gear system, and safety nets. Bayraktar's videos do not appear to show the use of any launch or recovery systems on *Anadolu* as part of the latest TB3 testing, indicating those modifications, at least, are still to come. The TB3 landing on and taking off from *Anadolu* is still a significant achievement that puts Turkey one step closer to fielding an operational uncrewed naval aviation capability currently found in no other country. With an expected 1,000-mile-maximum range and 24-hour endurance, the drones are set to give the Turkish Navy a completely new way to project maritime power. The TB3s can be fitted with up to six underwing hardpoints capable of carrying small precision-guided missiles and bombs, as well as rockets and other munitions, along with a sensor turret containing electro-optical and infrared cameras underneath the central fuselage. ![]() *A rendering of TB3 armed with various small precision-guided munitions. *Baykar** Flying from *Anadolu*'s deck, TB3s could conduct attacks at certain targets on land and at sea, as well as conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The drones could also act as aerial network relay nodes and, if fitted with a radar of some kind, possibly even serve as airborne early warning platforms. Turkey's naval drone ambitions for *Anadolu* already look to go beyond the TB3. An example of Baykar’s [jet-powered fighter-like Kizilelma drone]() was also loaded onto the ship's flight deck for a ceremony marking its formal entry into service last year, as seen below. Kizilelma reflects a larger trend in increasingly advanced uncrewed aviation developments from the Turkish aviation sector that also includes Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) stealthy flying-wing [ANKA-3]() uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV). ![]() **Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images** For Turkey, drones also offer a valuable domestic pathway to fielding fixed-wing naval aviation capabilities, in general. The Turkish government's [ejection from the F-35 program]() over the country's purchase of [Russian S-400]() surface-to-air missile systems in 2019 upended any near-term plans to acquire short-takeoff and vertical landing capable B variants for *Anadolu*. The S-400 deal and other factors led to a broader cooling of U.S.-Turkish relations that ended any discussion about acquisitions of [ex-U.S. Marine Corps Harrier jump jets](). There has been some talk in the past year [about Turkey rejoining the F-35 program](). Helicopters, including armed [AH-1W Cobra]() and [T129 types]() and anti-submarine warfare [SH-60B Seahawks](), are also expected to operate from *Anadolu*'s deck. ![]() *Turkish officials pose on the flight deck of TCG Anadolu during a ceremony in 2023. A TB3 and Kizilelma drones, as well as AH-1 and SH-60 helicopters, are visible. *Murat Kula/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images** In addition, the TB3 testing aboard *Anadolu* is just one example of a still-growing push to field uncrewed naval aviation capabilities globally, as well as adapting big-deck amphibious warfare ships into the 'drone carrier' role. China is making [particularly significant strides in this regard](), including in the development of flying wing [UCAVs that can operate from carriers]() and other big-deck ships, as well as [an entirely new class]() of [super-sized amphibious assault ship](). In the United Kingdom, the Royal Navy has shown its [ability to launch and recover drones]() in the same general size class as the TB3, [such as General Dynamics Mojave](), from its carrier HMS *Prince of Wales* as part of efforts there to expand uncrewed naval aviation capabilities. Just last week, what General Atomics described as a [Gray Eagle STOL drone]() successfully [launched from South Korea's *Dokdo*]() amphibious assault ship as part of another demonstration, but recovered at a base on land. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVR\_EioIM8c https://twitter.com/cmarkbrinkley/status/1856706964576747578 General Atomics is also pitching a derivative of its [MQ-9 Reaper that can operate from]() big-deck ships, as well as a [carrier-capable member of its highly modular Gambit]() family of uncrewed aircraft. ![]() *A rendering of a notional catapult-equipped HMS *Prince of Wales* with an air wing that includes carrier-capable Gambit 5s and MQ-9 Reaper variants. *General Atomics** A number of other countries are also actively looking to field fixed-wing naval drone capabilities or [otherwise exploring doing so](), and in many cases by leveraging existing or [future big-deck amphibious assault ships](). In many ways, the U.S. Navy has been lagging behind in such developments, with [the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone]() set to be its first operational advanced uncrewed carrier-based aircraft. The MQ-25 will have a secondary surveillance and reconnaissance capability, and there have been discussions about adding additional roles and missiles, [including stand-off strike](), in the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7yt6uMb3nY&t=2s The Navy is now in the process of installing new [dedicated drone control centers]() on its carriers, which [it says will help]() it realize its [own larger uncrewed naval aviation plans](). The service has a stated goal for its carrier air wings to eventually become [at least 60% pilotless](). With the successful demonstration of the TB3's ability to land on and take off from the *Anadolu*, Turkey still looks in line to be the first to have an operational 'drone carrier.' *Contact the author: joe@twz.com* ## Author Joseph is *TWZ’s* Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]()