New version of Bayraktar Akıncı UCAS takes to the sky
On 2 March 2022, a new version of the Baykar Makina Akıncı Taarruzi İnsansız Hava Aracı'nın -TİHA (Unmanned Combat Aerial System - UCAS) made its first flight.
The Akıncı B is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 series turboprop engine. The first version, Akıncı A, is powered by the Ukrainian Motorsich AI-450. The new P&W engine delivers 1,500HP (2 x 750HP) in total, whereas the Motorsich version delivered 900 HP (2 x 450HP).
The Akıncı B (PT-4) was in the air for 1 hour and 16 minutes during its first flight and successfully completed the aerodynamic parameter tests. The test flight took place from the birthplace of all Akıncı systems which is located at Çorlu airport in Tekirdağ.
Meanwhile, Baykar is already developing the Akıncı C, which will be even more powerful, with a thrust of 1,900HP.
As previously announced by Baykar Savunma CTO Selçuk Bayraktar, export contracts have been signed with two countries for the Akıncı UCAS, which are rumoured to be Qatar and Azerbaijan. Deliveries are expected to start in 2023.
So far, six Akıncı A UCASs are operational with the Türk Kara Havacilik Komutanlığı (Turkish Army Aviation Command), 3ncü Ordu İnsansız Hava Araçları Sistemleri Tabur Komutanlığı (3rd Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Battalion Command) at Batman in Eastern Turkey. More are slated for delivery, both to the Turkish Air Force 341 Filo Gölge (Shadow), also located at Batman, as well as the Army Aviation Command.
The Akıncı A Motorsich engine is manufactured in Ukraine and under the contract for the cooperation between Motorsich and Baykar Savunma, it was agreed to supply thirteen Akıncı A UCASs to the Ukraine armed forces. Needless to say, that this is now very uncertain due to the current conflict with Russia.
In May 2021, Scramble Magazine wrote on the first mass production Akıncı (Raider), serial S-1, successfully completing its first flight test.
Photo by Baykar Savunma (twitter @Baykar_Savunma)