Bayraktar Akinci (Raider) Heavy Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV)

Specifications

Year: 2022
Status: In-Development
Manufacturer(s): Kale-Baykar Makina - Turkey
Production: 1
Capabilities: Ground Attack; Close-Air Support (CAS); Unmanned;

Crew: 0
Width: 65.62 ft (20 m)
Weight (Empty): 9,921 lb (4,500 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 14,330 lb (6,500 kg)

Power: 2 x TEI PD170 turboprop engine developing 550 horsepower and driving five-bladed propellers in puller arrangement.

Speed: 186 mph (300 kph; 162 kts)
Ceiling: 40,026 feet (12,200 m; 7.58 miles)
Range: 7,146 miles (11,500 km; 6,210 nm)

Operators: Turkey (planned)

Turkish aerospace industry has made tremendous strides in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the military sphere in the past decade and this through several notable high-profile designs (including its TAI "Anka" line detailed elsewhere on this site). The next logical step becomes indigenous design, development, and manufacture of a combat-capable (UCAV) able to deliver precision munitions at altitude and range. This role is set to be fulfilled by the Baykar Makina "Akinci" which was unveiled at its assembly facility in mid-2018. As it stands, the company hopes to record a first-flight in 2020 and begin deliveries in 2021.

The design carries a twin-turboprop propulsion scheme (each engine driving five-bladed propeller units). The engines are set outboard of a centralized fuselage structure. The wing mainplanes are cranked upwards towards the engine mounts and sport winglets at their tips as a fuel-efficiency measure. A single vertical tailfin is featured at the rear of the aircraft. The frontal section of the fuselage houses the optics (Aselsan Cats) and avionics fit. Under each wing will be three hardpoints (totaling six weapon stations in all) and these will be cleared to carry and deliver in-service Turkish Air Force ordnance such as Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) as well as Mk 82-type conventional and precision-guided drop bombs. Full SATellite COMmunications (SATCOM) will be featured in the design. The external carrying capacity is set to become up to 900 kilograms with an internal option for an additional 450 kilograms.

Structurally, the aircraft will have a wingspan reaching between 18 and 20 meters. Performance specs are set to include a service ceiling of up to 40,000 feet with an endurance of 24 hours.

Program Updates

December 2019 - The Akinci UAV completed its first flight on December 6th, 2019, originating from Corfu Airport near Istanbul. The flight covered some sixteen minutes in the air.

Armament

Internal mission payload of up to 450 kilograms and external weapons payload of up to 900-950 kilograms.

Planned support for 2 x Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) held underwing as well as 4 x Mk 82 series conventional drop and laser-guided / precision-guided bombs.

Graphical image of an aircraft anti-tank guided missile

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Graphical image of an aircraft guided bomb munition

Variants / Models

• Akina - Base Series Name