The Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, developed nationally and originally by Türkiye, has reached an important milestone in Turkish aviation history by completing 150,000 flight hours. The platform, which has signed export agreements with 16 countries, continues its operational missions in different regions of the world.
Bayraktar AKINCI reaches 150,000 flight hours
The Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, one of the strategic platforms developed by Türkiye’s defense industry, has successfully completed 150,000 flight hours.
Developed by Baykar with national capabilities under the leadership of the Presidency of Defense Industries as part of the AKINCI Project, the platform continues to prove its operational capability through missions carried out in different geographies.
To date, export agreements have been signed with 16 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, which plays an active role not only in operational missions but also in integration tests of domestically produced munitions and new technologies.
Test flights with next-generation systems
During test missions carried out over the past two weeks, AKINCI conducted flights with the MURAD AESA Radar, EREN High-Speed Multi-Purpose Loitering Munition, MAM-L, and the KEMANKEŞ-1 Artificial Intelligence-Supported Mini Cruise Missile.
Altitude record in national aviation
The Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, which entered the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces on August 29, 2021, also holds an important record in Turkish aviation history.
During tests conducted on June 21, 2022, in the presence of delegations from the Air Force Command and the Presidency of Defense Industries, AKINCI reached an altitude of 45,118 feet (13,716 meters), breaking the altitude record in the history of national aviation, a record it still holds today.
Thanks to its high-altitude capability and long endurance, the platform has become one of the key elements of strategic operations.
Wide range of domestic munitions
The strike capability of the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV is based on a wide family of munitions developed by Türkiye’s domestic defense industry. To date, numerous smart munitions have been integrated into the platform, including MAM-L, MAM-T, TOLUN, Teber-81, HGK-82, the İHA-230 Supersonic Missile, and the Çakır Cruise Missile.
In live-fire tests, AKINCI struck targets with full accuracy, drawing attention with its flexibility to use different types of munitions against both ground and aerial targets.
While the integration of domestic munitions continues, efforts are also ongoing to equip the platform with next-generation systems.
