Bayraktar TB2T-AI Breaks Altitude Record with 37,096 Feet During Test Flight
Turbocharged UCAV equipped with artificial intelligence surpasses previous record in Turkey’s Kesan airspace during routine trials
The Bayraktar TB2T-AI, Turkey’s next-generation unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), has broken its own altitude record, reaching 37,096 feet during a routine flight test over Keşan, according to its manufacturer Baykar.
The milestone surpasses the platform’s earlier record of 30,318 feet, set on February 21, 2025. Equipped with a turbo engine and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems, the TB2T-AI showcased its ability to conduct long-duration, high-altitude missions, reinforcing its role in Turkey’s defense arsenal.
Powered by a turbo engine, the TB2T-AI now reaches speeds over 160 knots (300 km/h), with enhanced maximum takeoff weight and payload capacity.
Baykar emphasized the UCAV’s autonomous features, driven by three next-generation AI computers. These allow the TB2T-AI to conduct terrain-referenced visual navigation, even under electronic warfare conditions, perform autonomous takeoff and landing by visually recognizing runways, and conduct dynamic flight path planning.
The AI system also enables the drone to analyze and identify targets, giving it increased mission flexibility and operational safety, even during emergencies.
During a 2019 demonstration flight in Kuwait, the Bayraktar TB2 stayed airborne for 27 hours and three minutes under extreme desert conditions. More recently, it became the first UCAV to perform a barrel roll and execute an autonomous spin recovery maneuver, further advancing its aerial maneuverability.
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