Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı

Baykar

Industry	Defense, Aerospace
Headquarters	Turkey , Turkey
Products	Bayraktar Akıncı (unmanned combat aerial vehicle)

Bayraktar Akıncı

Bayraktar Akıncı (Turkish pronunciation: [bajraktar akɯnd͡ʒɯ], meaning "Raider" and derived from "Akinji") is a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed and produced by the Turkish defense firm Baykar. The initial three units were commissioned into the Turkish Armed Forces on 29 August 2021.

This platform has a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 5.5 tons, with a payload capacity surpassing 1,350 kg (2,980 lb). The Akıncı is powered by twin turboprop engines, available in either 450 hp (460 PS; 340 kW) or 750 hp (760 PS; 560 kW) variants. It incorporates sophisticated electronic support measures and ECM, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar capabilities, collision avoidance radar, and state-of-the-art synthetic-aperture radar.

Development

Following the conclusion of the initial design phase in June 2019, Akıncı commenced engine ground run trials in August 2019, utilizing a Ukrainian-made Ivchenko-Progress AI-450C turboprop engine. The first engine test occurred on September 1, 2019. After completing additional technical evaluations, the aircraft was transferred to the Turkish Army's Çorlu Airfield Command. The unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) achieved its maiden flight on December 6, 2019, which included automated taxiing, takeoff, a 16-minute flight duration, and a successful landing.

The Akıncı drone features an internal payload capacity of 881 pounds and an external payload capacity of 2,094 pounds, allowing for a maximum combat load of 2,976 pounds. It is powered by two turboprop engines, each delivering either 450 or 750 horsepower. The aircraft has a wingspan measuring 66 feet and is set to become the first UAV capable of deploying cruise missiles.

Images of the UAV were first released to the press in June 2018, with its public debut taking place at the Teknofest Aviation, Space and Technology Festival in September 2019.

On April 22, 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı successfully completed its initial firing trials. During these tests, the UCAV was equipped with three variants of domestically developed smart munitions: MAM-L, MAM-C, and MAM-T. This event also marked the first public demonstration of Roketsan's latest smart munition, the MAM-T. Between July 6 and 7, the aircraft undertook a test flight lasting 25 hours and 45 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 7,507 kilometers and ascending to an altitude of 38,039 feet. By August 29, 2021, Akıncı had been officially inducted into the Turkish armed forces' inventory.

The drone is outfitted with an indigenously developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system named MURAD, alongside synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) and ground moving target indication (GMTI) capabilities. Additionally, it incorporates surveillance systems, electronic warfare equipment, signal intelligence (SIGINT) suites, and satellite communication (SATCOM), enabling Akıncı to serve both as a UCAV and as an ISTAR+C3 platform within Turkey's military framework.

Timeline

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Bayraktar Akıncı displayed at Teknofest 2019

• Bayraktar Akıncı achieved its first flight on 6 December 2019.
• The initial prototype completed its second flight, reaching an altitude above 6000 ft, on 10 January 2020.
• The second prototype took to the skies for the first time on 13 August 2020.
• Medium altitude system integration tests were performed by the second prototype on 19 August 2020.
• During flight evaluations on 22 August 2020, the first prototype surpassed an altitude of 30,000 ft.
• High altitude and high speed flight tests were conducted by the second prototype on 5 September 2020.
• A Critical Design Review was held between 8 and 9 September 2020.
• On 11 September 2020, the second prototype successfully completed medium altitude system integration flight tests.
• Asymmetric thrust testing took place with the second prototype on 3 October 2020.
• Advanced system integration flight tests were carried out by Bayraktar Akıncı prototype 2 on 13 March 2021.
• The third prototype of Bayraktar Akıncı performed its maiden flight on 27 March 2021.
• Medium altitude system integration tests for prototype 3 were conducted on 10 April 2021.
• Prototype 3 underwent high altitude and high speed flight testing on 13 April 2021.
• The first live firing exercises were executed by Bayraktar Akıncı on 22 April 2021.
• The inaugural serial-produced Bayraktar Akıncı completed its maiden flight on 19 May 2021.
• On 7 July 2021, Bayraktar Akıncı set a new Turkish national altitude record by cruising at 38,039 ft for a duration of 25 hours and 46 minutes over a distance of approximately 7,507 km.
• A payload test featuring a weight of 1360 kg was successfully flown for over thirteen hours by Bayraktar Akıncı on 10 July 2021; during this mission, it carried the NEB bunker buster bomb developed by TUBITAK SAGE, marking the heaviest munition ever deployed by an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
• The Turkish Armed Forces received their first three units of Bayraktar Akıncı on 29 August 2021.
• Two additional units were delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces on 24 December 2021.
• Bayraktar Akıncı's initial export contract was announced on 23 January 2022.
• The drone completed its first combat operation on 13 February 2022.
• A second export agreement was publicized on 2 March 2022.
• Also on that day, Baykar announced that the Bayraktar AKINCI-B variant, equipped with twin engines each rated at approximately 750 hp, had successfully completed its maiden flight.
• On 21 May 2022, Bayraktar AKINCI flew across three countries—Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan—covering around 2000 km.
• The UAV successfully executed its inaugural firing test from a distance of thirty kilometers using KGK-SIHA-82 winged guided munitions on June 14, 2022.
• The AKINCI B variant undertook endurance, high altitude, and high speed trials on June 21, reaching an altitude of approximately 45,118 ft and completing a flight lasting over twenty hours before returning to the Çorlu Airport Command’s Flight, Training and Test Center.
• On July 1, the drone conducted a successful test launch of ASELSAN’s LGK-82 laser-guided bomb from an altitude of thirty thousand feet; target designation was provided by a Bayraktar TB2 UAV marking the first launch of LGK-82 from an unmanned platform.
• Three units were delivered to the Turkish Air Force as of August 3, 2022.
• By August 24, three more Bayraktar Akıncı drones joined the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory, increasing their operational fleet to twelve units in total.
• Equipped with the ASELFLIR-500 targeting system, Akıncı scored a hit on a mobile Albatros unmanned surface vehicle (USV) during February testing in 2024.
• The Akıncı C variant achieved its first successful flight test with two engines rated at approximately 850 hp each on February 24, 2024.
• On March 1, 2025, Bayraktar AKINCI fitted with MURAD AESA radar completed its maiden flight.

Operational history

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Bayraktar Akıncı displayed at Teknofest 2019

The Akıncı drone was initially deployed during the Pençe-Kilit Operations conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces, targeting PKK hideouts such as shelters and caves located in Northern Iraq.Template:User-generated inline

During the relief efforts following the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, nine Akıncı drones accumulated over 1551 flight hours in the affected regions. These UAVs played a critical role by delivering continuous situational awareness and data to emergency teams, aiding in damage assessment, search and rescue missions, and operational coordination.Template:Primary source inline

In May 2024, one of these drones contributed to locating the crash site of the 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash, which resulted in the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The search operation reportedly lasted seven hours. Following this success, the UAV traced a depiction of the star and crescent symbol.

On January 28, 2025, a Bayraktar Akıncı drone operated by the Government of National Accord (GNA) crashed roughly 15 kilometers west of Ajaylat in northwestern Libya. Footage from the incident captured smoke rising into the sky, indicating that the UAV might have been struck by a missile; however, the precise cause has yet to be confirmed.

On March 16, 2025, the People's Defense Forces (HPG), which serves as the armed branch of the PKK, claimed responsibility for downing a Turkish Akıncı combat drone within Iraq’s Qandil area. They released video evidence showing remnants of the UAV. Reports indicate that it crashed near Bingird in the Ranya district.

On March 31, 2025, an Akıncı UAV belonging to the Malian Air Force was reportedly shot down by Algerian Territorial Air Defence Forces near Tinzaouaten.

On October 14, 2025, according to a report by Rudaw, a Bayraktar Akıncı drone manufactured in Turkey crashed within Iraq’s Qandil region in the northern part of the Kurdistan Region, specifically between Pirdeşal and Zergelê villages. The event was recorded by local residents. Dilşêr Ibrahim, mayor of Qandil, stated that the crash occurred in a rugged mountainous terrain without resulting in any casualties or property damage.

Operators

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Tail section of the Bayraktar Akıncı displayed at Teknofest 2021

Current operators

Turkey

• Turkish Land Forces – More than 8 units operational.
• Turkish Air Force – At least 6 units active.
• Gendarmerie General Command – 3 units in service.
• National Intelligence Organization (MIT) – 1 unit operational.

• Azerbaijan Air Force

• Burkina Faso Armed Forces

• Ethiopian Air Force

• Libyan Air Force – Minimum of one Akıncı UAV delivered.

• Moroccan Armed Forces

• Pakistan Air Force – Between six and seven Akıncı UAVs delivered in early 2023.

• Somali Air Force

• Sudanese Armed Forces

Previous users

• Malian Air Force – In November 2024, Mali obtained two Bayraktar Akıncı-A UAVs through a collaboration with the Turkish manufacturer Baykar. One unit was lost during a training mission in January 2025, while the other was downed by the Algerian military in April 2025 after it entered Algerian airspace.

Prospective users

Indonesia

• Indonesian Air Force – An agreement for the procurement of nine Akinci drones along with joint manufacturing was finalized during the Turkish president’s visit to Indonesia in February 2025.

• Kyrgyz Air Force

• Royal Saudi Air Force

See also

• Baykar Bayraktar Mini UAV
• Baykar Bayraktar TB1
• Baykar Bayraktar TB2
• Baykar Bayraktar TB3
• Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma
• TAI Anka
• TAI Aksungur
• TAI Anka 3
• Vestel Karayel