Bayraktar AKINCI

Bayraktar AKINCI is Türkiye’s first armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system developed by Baykar Technology under the leadership of the Presidency of Defence Industries. Equipped with advanced avionics, a high payload capacity, and AI-assisted flight capabilities, the Bayraktar AKINCI is designed for both reconnaissance and strike operations. Initial development work began in 2017 and the system was formally integrated into the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces in 2021.

Compared to conventional unmanned aerial vehicles, the Bayraktar AKINCI stands out with its ability to operate at higher altitudes and for longer durations. The platform can carry both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, enabling it to adapt to diverse combat scenarios. Additionally, through integration with electronic warfare capabilities and advanced communication systems, it enhances mission versatility on modern battlefields.

With its high-altitude capability, advanced munition integration, and AI-supported systems, the Bayraktar AKINCI holds a prominent position among modern armed unmanned aerial vehicles.

Development Timeline

• 2017: Development of the Bayraktar AKINCI Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) project commenced under the leadership of Özdemir Bayraktar.^【1】
• 12 June 2018: The platform’s first images were publicly released and its detailed technical specifications were disclosed.^【2】
• 17–22 September 2019: It was first exhibited at TEKNOFEST Istanbul.^【3】
• 6 December 2019: The AKINCI UAV successfully completed its maiden flight.^【4】 During this phase, two AI-450 series turboprop engines produced by the Ukrainian company Ivchenko-Progress were used.^【5】
• 22 April 2021: The Bayraktar AKINCI successfully completed its first weapons firing test.^【6】 During the test, Roketsan-developed MAM-C, MAM-L, and the newly introduced MAM-T smart munitions successfully hit their targets.
• 8 July 2021: The Bayraktar AKINCI A model reached an altitude of 38,039 feet, breaking the Turkish aviation altitude record.^【7】
• 29 August 2021: The first delivery of the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV to Turkish Security Forces was carried out.^【8】
• 2 March 2022: The B model, equipped with two 750-horsepower engines for a total of 1,500 horsepower, successfully completed its first flight test.^【9】
• 11 March 2022: The Bayraktar AKINCI B model reached an altitude of 40,170 feet, improving its own national altitude record.^【10】
• 25 May 2022: The Bayraktar AKINCI UAV performed a formation flight with a MiG-29 fighter jet commanded by Selçuk Bayraktar.^【11】
• 21 June 2022: The Bayraktar AKINCI B model reached an altitude of 45,118 feet (13,716 metres), breaking the national aviation altitude record for the third time.^【12】
• 24 April 2023: The Bayraktar AKINCI and Bayraktar KIZILELMA successfully completed the world’s first close formation flight between two UAVs during a test flight in Çorlu.^【13】 Subsequently, during TEKNOFEST 2023, the Bayraktar AKINCI conducted public flight demonstrations over Istanbul.
• 9 April 2024: The platform completed 50,000 successful flight hours.
• 24 February 2024: The Bayraktar AKINCI C model, equipped with two 850-horsepower engines, successfully completed its first flight test.^【14】
• 22 May 2024: The Bayraktar AKINCI performed a formation flight with the Bayraktar TB3.^【15】
• 1 March 2025: The Bayraktar AKINCI completed its first flight with the MURAD AESA Radar developed by ASELSAN.^【16】
• 11 March 2025: The Bayraktar AKINCI surpassed 100,000 flight hours, marking another significant milestone.^【17】

Development and test firing of the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV, one of Türkiye’s most advanced unmanned platforms, continue with its high-altitude capability, heavy payload capacity, integration of electronic warfare and intelligence systems, and multiple variants.

Successfully Tested Munitions

In addition to various model developments and test flights, Baykar has publicly announced the integration and test firing of multiple munition systems with the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV. Listed below are the munition systems successfully tested by the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV:

• MAM-L / MAM-L TV
• MAM-T / MAM-T IIR/TV
• MAM-C
• TOLUN / TOLUN-IIR
• Teber-82
• Teber-81
• Teber-83 Guidance Kit
• LGK-81
• LGK-82
• HGK-82
• Gökçe Guidance Kit
• Gözde Guidance Kit
• KGK-82-SİHA
• TV Seeker / Laser Seeker-equipped İHA-122 Supersonic Missile
• İHA-230 Supersonic Missile
• Çakır Missile
• KUZGUN-SS
• Elçin-82
• Laçin-82

Other Useful Payloads

• Bayraktar Mapping Pod
• ANTIDOT-2U/S Electronic Support Pod

Technical Specifications^【18】

Basic Flight Performance Criteria

• Communication System & Operational Range: The Bayraktar AKINCI can be integrated with SATCOM BLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) or triply redundant LOS (Line of Sight) systems. This enables the platform to operate over a wide range, be remotely controlled, and ensure uninterrupted data transmission. With an operational range of 6,000 km, this feature provides a significant advantage for long-range surveillance and intelligence operations.

• Flight Speed and Endurance: The Bayraktar AKINCI has a cruise speed of 150 KTAS and a maximum speed of 240 KTAS, with an endurance of over 24 hours. This capability ensures operational flexibility, continuous surveillance, and prolonged target tracking during extended missions.

• Operational Altitude and Service Ceiling: The Bayraktar AKINCI is defined with an operational altitude of 30,000 feet and a service ceiling of 40,000 feet. This altitude range provides optimal fuel efficiency, wide field of view, and low radar signature, enabling ideal performance in both intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and strike operations. On 21 June 2022, during a test flight, the platform reached an altitude of 45,118 feet (13,716 metres), breaking the Turkish aviation altitude record.

• Maximum Takeoff Weight and Power System: The Bayraktar AKINCI has a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 kg and a high payload capacity that allows it to carry a wide range of munitions. The AKINCI platform is available with three different power systems: 2×450 hp, 2×750 hp, and 2×850 hp turboprop engines.

Avionics Systems

The Bayraktar AKINCI features advanced autonomy and AI-based avionics systems. The platform employs a fault-tolerant system architecture with a cross-redundant central mission computer (YKİ). Flight control is executed through redundant servo-actuator units. An internal sensor fusion-enabled automated system provides precise takeoff, cruise, and landing capabilities. The Bayraktar AKINCI can perform fully autonomous takeoff and landing without reliance on ground control systems. Its avionics architecture is designed to be modular and scalable to adapt to diverse mission profiles and operational requirements.

Payload: ISR-Munition Systems

The Bayraktar AKINCI has a total payload capacity of 1,500 kg. This is divided into internal (airframe-mounted) payload capacity (600 kg) and external (wing and under-fuselage) payload capacity (900 kg). This high payload capacity enables the Bayraktar AKINCI to carry a broad spectrum of munitions, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance (ISR) systems, and electronic warfare (EW) modules.

Payload: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems

The Bayraktar AKINCI possesses advanced ISR capabilities. The platform can carry high-precision electro-optical systems, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment.

• Simultaneous EO/IR/LD/LRF Gimbal Camera System: The Bayraktar AKINCI’s electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) imaging capabilities enable day-and-night surveillance. Additionally, the platform can illuminate targets using a laser designator (LD), enabling precision strikes with laser-guided munitions, and determine target distance accurately using a laser rangefinder (LRF) to ensure firing accuracy.

• ASELFLIR-500 EO System: The Bayraktar AKINCI is equipped with the ASELFLIR-500 Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting System developed by ASELSAN, enabling high-precision target detection and fire accuracy.

• SAR and Multi-Purpose MURAT AESA Radar: The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capability allows high-resolution imaging even under adverse weather conditions and cloud cover. The platform has successfully completed the MURAT AESA Radar integration and testing, significantly enhancing its advanced radar capabilities and long-range reconnaissance capacity.

• SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) System: Capable of detecting enemy radar, communication, and signal sources for electronic warfare and intelligence operations. Thanks to its passive listening capability, it can analyze enemy communication systems. It provides effective intelligence gathering with low observability in electronic warfare environments.

Payload: Weapon Systems

The Bayraktar AKINCI features a variety of payload and weapons integrations tailored to different mission profiles. The platform can carry laser-guided smart munitions, INS/GPS-guided munitions, and infrared-guided munitions. Its long-range strike capability is provided by cruise missiles and standoff weapons. Additionally, supersonic air-to-surface missiles and standoff munitions can also be integrated onto the platform. The Bayraktar AKINCI possesses engagement capability against aerial targets using air-to-air missiles. The payload structure is designed to accommodate multiple weapons configurations and adapt to diverse mission requirements.

Exports and User Information

The Bayraktar AKINCI UAS is currently in the inventories and actively operated by a total of 11 countries outside Türkiye. The first delivery of Bayraktar AKINCI to Turkish security forces occurred on 29 August 2021. According to a statement made by Baykar’s Board Chairman and Technology Leader Selçuk Bayraktar on 4 January 2023, approximately 12 Bayraktar AKINCI UAS units are in Türkiye’s inventory. Baykar continues regular deliveries to the Turkish Armed Forces by increasing production.^【19】

Some of the countries outside Türkiye that operate the Bayraktar AKINCI UAS include:

• Azerbaijan: The first delivery of Bayraktar AKINCI UAS to Azerbaijan took place on 25 May 2022. On 9 February 2024, a hangar inauguration and new delivery ceremony were held in Azerbaijan.^【20】
• Kyrgyzstan: The Bayraktar AKINCI UAS delivery was completed on 13 October 2022.^【21】
• Burkina Faso: The Bayraktar AKINCI UAS delivery to Burkina Faso was completed on 8 April 2024.^【22】
• United Arab Emirates: Delivery was completed in December 2024.^【23】
• Future Users:
• Saudi Arabia: On 18 July 2023, a contract for the export and cooperation of Bayraktar AKINCI UAS was signed between Baykar and the Saudi Ministry of Defense.^【24】
• Indonesia: A contract for the procurement of nine Bayraktar AKINCI UAS units was signed in February 2025.^【25】

Operational History

• 22 April 2022: The Bayraktar AKINCI was first actively deployed in the Claw-Lock Operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces. During this operation, the AKINCI performed reconnaissance and strike missions for the first time in a major cross-border operation by the TSK.^【26】
• 8 June 2022: As part of the Efes Exercise 2022, the Bayraktar AKINCI successfully conducted strikes on targets in İzmir after taking off from Batman.^【27】
• 22 June 2022: The Bayraktar AKINCI-B participated for the first time in the Anatolian Eagle Exercise.
• 6 February 2023: Following the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the Bayraktar AKINCI actively performed search and rescue, security, coordination, and damage assessment missions under challenging weather conditions. As the only aircraft airborne immediately after the disaster, the AKINCI conducted continuous flights with nine platforms in the region, fulfilling an effective operational role.^【28】
• 20 May 2024: Despite adverse weather conditions, the Bayraktar AKINCI detected the wreckage of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi after a flight lasting more than seven hours.^【29】
• 18 July 2024: As part of the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Cyprus Peace Operation, two Bayraktar AKINCI aircraft conducted a flyover of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.