THE FIRST BAYRAKTAR TB2 UAV TO ENTER SERVICE HAS BEEN RETIRED
The S5 tail-numbered Bayraktar TB2 that joined the fleet, accumulated nearly 1 million flight hours, in 2014 has become the first UAV to complete its operational airframe life, having successfully surpassed 10,000 flight hours. The Bayraktar TB2 S5, now retired from active duty, will continue to serve within Baykar for training and test flights as part of airframe lifecycle research.
ISTANBUL - 10.09.2024
The Bayraktar TB2 UAV, developed nationally and indigenously by Baykar, has crossed another significant milestone. The S5 Bayraktar TB2 UAV, part of the first system that entered the inventory of the Land Forces Command in 2014 after successfully passing acceptance tests, has become the first UAV to complete its airframe life after serving for 10,000 hours. Although it has been retired from operational service, the Bayraktar TB2 S5 will continue to play a role in training and test flights as an airframe lifecycle research platform within Baykar. A new Bayraktar TB2 UAV was delivered free of charge to the Land Forces Command to replace the retired aircraft.
10,000 HOURS IN OUR SKIES
The Bayraktar TB2 S5 UAV, which has successfully served in our skies for 10,000 hours, joined the Turkish inventory in 2014 after passing acceptance tests. Since then, it has played a crucial role in several operations, including the Trench Operations, Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring, Spring Shield, and the ongoing Claw operations. Throughout its service, it completed over 750 sorties.
THE FAREWELL CEREMONY
A ceremony was held at the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul to mark the retirement of the Bayraktar TB2 S5 UAV. The ceremony was attended by General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Commander of the Land Forces; General Metin Tokel, Commander of the 1st Army; Major General Zeynel Abidin Erginbaş, Commander of the Land Aviation Command; Brigadier General Sertaç Öztürk, Commander of the UAV Brigade; Baykar Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar; Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar and Baykar employees. After a cake-cutting ceremony and the presentation of plaques and gifts, the Bayraktar TB2 S5 UAV was sent off to its new assignment, where it will serve as a training and test aircraft.
ONE STEP CLOSER TO 1 MILLION HOURS
Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, which have been in service since 2014, boast a localization rate of 93% and have been deployed across the globe. As of September 2024, they have successfully surpassed 900,000 flight hours, making the Bayraktar TB2 the longest-serving national aircraft in Turkish aviation history. These UAVs are currently deployed by the Turkish Armed Forces, National Intelligence Organization, Gendarmerie General Command, General Directorate of Security, Coast Guard Command, and the General Directorate of Forestry for firefighting efforts.
HOLDER OF RECORDS
The Bayraktar TB2, which holds significant records in Turkish aviation, set an altitude record of 27,030 feet within its class. In a demo flight conducted in Kuwait on July 16, 2019, it set another record by flying continuously for 27 hours and 3 minutes, despite facing challenging conditions such as high temperatures and sandstorms.
A WORLD FIRST IN AVIATION: THE UAV THAT PERFORMED A BARREL ROLL
The Bayraktar TB2 UAV, which has achieved several firsts in Turkish aviation history, once again etched its name in the annals of aviation by successfully performing an autonomous barrel roll maneuver during test flights on May 31, 2024. This feat made it the first and only UAV in the world to accomplish such a maneuver, which is a vital evasive tactic for fighter jets, yet had never been successfully executed by any UAV until now.
THE HERO OF KARABAKH
In addition to its critical roles in Türkiye's fight against terrorism, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs have demonstrated their superior performance in international operations, playing key roles in conflicts in Libya, Ukraine, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as well as in ending the 30-year occupation of Karabakh.
IN THE SKIES OF NATO AND EU COUNTRIES
Described by experts as a UAV that has transformed the nature of the battlefield, Bayraktar TB2 is favored not only by countries in Asia and Africa but also by NATO and EU member states. As of September 2024, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs are serving in the inventories of six NATO member states and four EU member countries, continuing to perform successfully.
FROM RESPONDING TO EARTHQUAKES TO FIGHTING FOREST FIRES
In addition to their security missions, the national UAVs also play a significant role in civilian operations, including responding to disasters like earthquakes and floods, search and rescue operations, monitoring irregular migration, and firefighting. Bayraktar TB2 UAVs were instrumental during the aftermath of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Sivrice, Elazığ, on January 24, 2020. During the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, they flew a total of 2,417 hours and 6 minutes. In this context, a total of 42 Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, 8 of which were equipped with Baykar Rapid Mapping Pods, participated in the operations. Between 2020 and 2023, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs helped detect 3,166 forest fires at their early stages, preventing them from escalating.
EXPORT CHAMPION
Baykar, which has executed all of its projects with self-funding, has generated 83% of its total revenue from exports since the start of its UAV R&D process in 2003. In 2023 alone, Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in exports, placing it among the top 10 exporters in all sectors in Türkiye. Baykar has been recognized as the export leader in the defense and aerospace industry according to data from the Defense Industry Presidency and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) for 2021, 2022, and 2023. In recent years, over 90% of Baykar’s revenue has come from exports, and in 2023, the company accounted for one-third of Türkiye's defense and aerospace exports. Baykar, the world’s largest UAV exporter, currently holds contracts with 97.5% of its revenue derived from exports. The company has signed export agreements with 33 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV and 10 countries for the Bayraktar Akıncı UAV, bringing the total to 34 countries.
