Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced the successful maiden flight of the Anka-3, a flying-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ). Erdoğan, taking to X, expressed his optimism regarding the Anka-3’s potential contributions.

“Hopefully, our aircraft will make a strong contribution to our country’s defense with its advanced technologies, design and features,” Erdoğan said on X.

Maximum altitude is 40,000 feet

Anka-3’s maximum speed is 0.7 mach and maximum altitude is 40,000 feet. The flight over Ankara lasted for 70 minutes, during which the UCAV reached a height of 8,000 ft and a speed of 150 kilometers.

According to Turkish Aerospace Industries, the maximum take-off weight of the Anka-3 is 6.5 tons. The UCAV has a service ceiling of 44,000 ft and an endurance of 10 hours at 30,000 ft. The top speed is 425 kilometers, and its cruise speed is 250 kilometers.