The Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) just showed NATO it can deliver dual-salvo strikes on surface targets, scoring direct hits during a recent live-fire exercise over the Baltic Sea.
Operating from the Turkish Navy’s TCG Anadolu, the drone took off autonomously from the ship’s short runway before engaging naval targets with “pinpoint accuracy.”
The demo reportedly marked the first time the TB3 flew outside Turkish airspace in real military conditions, proving the system’s capability beyond controlled testing environments.
Baykar plans to expand testing aboard the Anadolu, combining a dual-salvo strike profile on one UCAV with a heavier munition release from another.
The testing was part of NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise, described as the alliance’s most comprehensive trial efforts this year.
‘All-Day’ Performance
Beyond covert intelligence and reconnaissance missions, Baykar’s TB3 is designed for strike operations using “smart munitions” mounted under its wings.
It measures 8.4 meters (27.6 feet) long with a 14-meter (46-feet) wingspan and can carry up to 280 kilograms (617 pounds) of payload, including mission critical equipment.
The drone can also remain airborne for up to 24 hours, giving commanders the ability to conduct long-duration missions and maintain continuous situational awareness.
Although still under development, the UCAV is already capable of remote operations, with communication systems supporting both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight control.
