Ankara, December 11 - In a groundbreaking advancement for modern aerial warfare, Türkiye's ANKA III flying wing stealth drone has achieved a pivotal milestone in autonomous capability, solidifying its status as a frontrunner in unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), the ANKA III represents a leap forward in stealth drone technology, blending low-observable design with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Unveiled in 2023 and marking its maiden flight later that year, this twin-engine platform boasts a tailless flying-wing configuration optimized for radar evasion, internal weapons bays for a 1,200-kilogram payload, and an endurance of up to 10 hours at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. The recent breakthrough, confirmed during the drone's 46th system verification sortie on December 8, 2025, validates its advanced autopilot system, enabling seamless execution of envelope-expansion maneuvers such as autonomous climbs, descents, turns, route tracking, and automated recovery—transforming it from prototype to a combat-ready autonomous strike asset.
This critical test transcends routine software validation, marking a foundational step toward full certification of the ANKA III's high-autonomy flight envelope. By demonstrating stability, logic, and flight-control algorithms in real-world conditions, the drone now operates with minimal human intervention, even in contested environments demanding complex formations. Such capabilities are essential for long-range precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, where the ANKA III's Mach 0.7 speed and beyond-line-of-sight control ensure survivability against advanced air defenses. TUSAŞ's rapid development pace—spanning ground tests, live-fire integrations with munitions like the SOM-J standoff missile, and mid-air deployments of subordinate drones—underscores Türkiye's strategic push for indigenous defense innovation, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers while elevating its role in global UCAV ecosystems.
The implications of this autonomous milestone ripple across military doctrines, particularly in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) paradigms. Integrated into Türkiye's Otonom Kol Uçucusu (OKU) program, the ANKA III can now serve as a loyal wingman, coordinating with crewed fighters like the KAAN stealth jet to execute multi-domain operations. This synergy enhances force multiplication, allowing high-risk missions to leverage the drone's stealth profile for suppression of enemy air defenses and electronic warfare, all while preserving piloted assets. For the Turkish Air Force, it promises a networked unmanned combat force capable of reshaping regional power dynamics in the Middle East and beyond, positioning Türkiye among elite producers of stealth UCAVs alongside global leaders.
As export interest surges, the ANKA III's autonomous prowess signals a new era for international defense collaborations, including NATO architectures where non-U.S. contributions to deep-strike and ISR inventories are increasingly vital. With operational entry slated for 2026, this milestone not only bolsters Türkiye's defense autonomy but also redefines the boundaries of stealth drone innovation, heralding safer, more efficient airpower for tomorrow's battlefields.