Akıncı UCAS deliveries proceed at unprecedented pace
In May 2021, Scramble Magazine reported on the maiden flight of the first mass-produced Baykar Savunma Akıncı High-Altitude Long-Endurance Unmanned Combat Aerial System (HALE-UCAS). And now, seven months later, six UCAS' have been delivered to the Türk Kara Havacilik Komutanlığı (Turkish Army Aviation Command).
The UCASs are all delivered to the 3ncü Ordu İnsansız Hava Araçları Sistemleri Tabur Komutanlığı (3rd Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System Battalion Command) at Batman.
Baykar is the producer of the Akıncı but also of the very successful Bayraktar TB2 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance UCAS (MALE-UCAS) and other tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems. The Akıncı aircraft were all delivered from the Çorlu Tekirdağ airport where the Flight Test Center of Baykar Savunma is located.
Deliveries started in October 2021. Scramble Magazine has knowledge that the following Akıncı aircraft were delivered to the 3nci İHA STK at Batman (in order of delivery) before the end-of-year 2021:
The Baykar Akıncı is a 4.5-ton TİHA (Taarruzi İnsansız Hava Aracı - Assault UAS), capable of deploying a considerable payload (900kg external and 450kg internal). The Akıncı can also be equipped with an electronic support pod, air-to-air radars, satellite communication systems, barrier-identification radar, synthetic aperture radar and meteorological radar which are all designed and developed in Turkey. The platform will operate with various ammunition configurations.
Photo via Baykar Savumna