The aircraft has a 6 ton maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), of which over 1,500kg (3,300lb) is payload.[4] Depends on variants, Akıncı is equipped with two turboprop engines of either 450hp (460PS; 340kW) or 750hp (760PS; 560kW) or 850hp (860PS; 630kW),[4] as well as electronic support and ECM systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar, and advanced synthetic-aperture radar.[5]
Development
With the preliminary design phase completed in June 2019, Akıncı started engine ground run testing in August 2019 with a UkrainianIvchenko-Progress AI-450C turboprop engine.[6] First engine test was accomplished on September 1, 2019. Following the completion of other technical tests, the aircraft was moved to the Turkish Army's Çorlu Airfield Command. The UCAV made its maiden flight with automatic taxiing, take-off, 16-minute flight and successful landing on December 6, 2019.[7]
Akıncı has a payload capacity of 881lb (400kg) internal and 2,094lb (950kg) external, a maximum combat load of 2,976lb (1,350kg). Powered by two 450hp (460PS; 340kW) or 750hp (760PS; 560kW) turboprop engines, the drone has a 66ft (20m)wingspan. It will be the first UAV capable of launching a cruise missile.[7][8][9]
On 22 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV has successfully conducted its first firing tests. During the test, 'Akıncı' was fitted with three different variants of the indigenously developed smart munitions, MAM-L, MAM-C and MAM-T. The test was also the first public appearance of the ROKETSAN's newest smart munition, MAM-T.[12] From July 6 to 7, the aircraft completed a test flight of 25 hours and 45 minutes, flying 7,507km (4,053nmi; 4,665mi) and reaching an altitude of 38,039ft (11,594m).[13] On August 29, 2021, Akıncı was added to the inventory of Turkish armed forces.[3]
On 6 December 2019, Bayraktar Akıncı made its maiden flight.[17]
On 10 January 2020, first prototype made its second flight and passed over 6000ft.[18]
On 13 August 2020, second prototype made its maiden flights.[19]
On 19 August 2020, second prototype conducted medium altitude system integration flight tests.[20][21]
On 22 August 2020, first prototype exceeded 30.000ft (9.144m) during flight testing.[22][23]
On 5 September 2020, second prototype conducted high altitude and high speed flight tests.[24]
On 8–9 September 2020, Critical Design Review was conducted.[25][26]
On 11 September 2020, second prototype conducted medium altitude system integration flight tests.[27]
On 3 October 2020, second prototype 2 conducted asymmetric thrust tests.[28]
On 13 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 conducted its advanced system integration flight tests.[29]
On 27 March 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its maiden flight.[30]
On 10 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its medium altitude system integration flight tests.[31][32]
On 13 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 3 conducted its high altitude and high speed flight tests.[33]
On 22 April 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its first firing tests.[34][35]
On 19 May 2021, the first serial produced Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its maiden flight[36]
On 7 July 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı set the new national flight altitude record of Turkey by cruising at 38,039 feet (11,594m) for 25 hours and 46 minutes at a distance of 7,507km [37]
On 10 July 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted a 13 hours and 24 minute long flight with 1360kg payload. During the flight Akıncı was equipped with the NEB bunker buster bomb developed by TUBITAK SAGE. Marking the heaviest bomb ever carried by an UCAV[38]
On 29 August 2021, the first three units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces[39]
On 24 December 2021, two units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces[40]
On 23 January 2022, first export agreement of Bayraktar Akıncı was announced
On 13 February 2022, Bayraktar Akıncı conducted its first combat mission[41]
On 2 March 2022, second export agreement of Bayraktar Akıncı was announced
On 2 March 2022, the Baykar announced that the Bayraktar AKINCI-B version with twin 750hp (560kW) engines completed its maiden flight [42]
On 21 May 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI crossed 3 countries (Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan), flying approximately 2000km.[43]
On 14 June 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) has successfully completed its first firing test from 30 kilometers away with the KGK-SIHA-82 (Winged Guidance Kit) ammunition.[44]
On 21 June 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI B Variant took off to carry out endurance, high altitude and high speed tests, The B Variant rose to an altitude of 45,118 feet (13,752 meters) within the scope of the test, returned to Bayraktar AKINCI Flight, Training and Test Center at Çorlu Airport Command after 20 hours and 23 minutes of flight.[45]
On 1 July 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI carried out a test firing with the LGK-82 (Laser Guidance Kit), developed by ASELSAN, Flying at an altitude of 30 thousand feet, the target was laser-marked by Bayraktar TB2 SİHA, The LGK-82 was Launched from UAV for the first time.[46]
On 3 August 2022, three units were delivered to the Turkish Air Force[47]
On 24 August 2022, three additional units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces, bringing the number of drones operated by Turkey to 12[48]
On 22 February 2024, Akıncı equipped with ASELFLIR-500 shot a mobile Albatros USV.[49]
On 24 February 2024, Akıncı C variant successfully carried out its first flight test with two 850 HP engines.[48]
On 1 March 2025 Akıncı equipped with MURAD Aesa radar made its first maiden flight.[50]
Operational history
Bayraktar Akıncı at Teknofest 2019
Akıncı was first used in Pençe-Kilit Operations which were held by the Turkish military to dissolve PKK positions such as shelters and caves in Northern Iraq.[51][user-generated source?]
A total of 9 Akıncıs successfully flew over 1551 hours in the earthquake zone of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake. The drones have been instrumental in providing continuous updates and data to the crisis response team for damage detection, search and rescue support, along with coordination activities.[52][non-primary source needed]
On 28 January 2025, a GNA Bayraktar Akıncı drone crashed approximately 15 kilometers west of Ajaylat in northwestern Libya. Video evidence of the incident shows smoke in the sky, suggesting the drone could have been hit by missile. But the exact cause of its loss remains unknown.[56]
On 16 March 2025, the People's Defense Forces (HPG, the armed wing of the PKK) announced having shot down a Turkish Akıncı combat drone in the Qandil region of Iraq, showing footage of its wreckage. The drone reportedly crashed in the locality of Bingird, in the Ranya region.[57][58]
On October 14, 2025, Rudaw reported that a Turkish-made Bayraktar Akıncı drone had crashed in the Qandil region of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq, between the villages of Pirdeşal and Zergelê. The incident was filmed by local civilians. According to the mayor of Qandil, Dilşêr Ibrahim, the crash site lies in a steep, mountainous area, and no injuries or damage were reported.[63]
Malian Air Force – Mali received two Bayraktar Akıncı-A drones in November 2024 as part of a partnership with the Turkish manufacturer Baykar. One of the aircraft was lost during a training exercise in January 2025. The second was shot down by Algerian armed forces in April 2025, following an incursion into Algerian airspace.[80][81][82] 2 more delivered in 2026[83]
Indonesian Air Force – During the visit of the Turkish president to Indonesia in February 2025, an agreement to acquire 9 Akinci drones and its joint production was signed.[85]
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