IDEX: TAI shows off its largest drone

It was originally known as the Anka-2 before adopting the Aksungur name and designed for tactical surveillance and reconnaissance by the Turkish Armed Forces.

However, it has increasingly been adapted for armed missions using a variety of (largely indigenous) weapons.

Largely based on existing technology from the earlier Anka family of UAVs, the Aksungur has a twin-tailed, twin-boom configuration, and is powered by a pair of Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) PD-170 dual-turbocharged diesel engines, each driving a three-bladed tractor propeller.

It is TAI’s largest drone, with a maximum payload almost four times greater than that of its predecessor. There are three hardpoints under each wing for the carriage of external payloads, including weapons or sonar buoys. These hardpoints are rated for loads of 150, 300 and 500kg respectively, working from outboard inwards.

The Aksungur is able to stay aloft for up to 12 hours as an attack or maritime patrol aircraft or for up to 24 hours during signals intelligence missions.

The prototype first flew on March 20 2019, and the aircraft entered production in early 2020. The first production aircraft was delivered to the Turkish Naval Forces on October 20 2021. Three aircraft are estimated to be operational with the Turkish Naval Forces and three more with the Turkish Air Force. Six were ordered by the Algerian Air Force in October 2022.