TUSAŞ’s ANKA III UCAV Showcases Advanced Integration with SÜPER ŞİMŞEK Tactical UAVs

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has released compelling visuals demonstrating its ANKA III stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) prototype in flight, equipped with two SÜPER ŞİMŞEK tactical unmanned aerial systems integrated under its wings. This flight test signifies a notable advancement in Turkey’s unmanned aviation capabilities, emphasizing sophisticated operational synergy between its advanced platforms.

The ANKA III, a strategic project developed by TUSAŞ, is characterized as a low-observable, turbofan-powered UCAV designed for multifaceted combat roles. Based on TUSAŞ’s current technical specifications, the ANKA III measures 7.9 meters in length, boasts a 12.5-meter wingspan, and stands 2.5 meters tall. With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 6,500 kilograms, the platform is engineered to carry a significant useful payload of up to 1,200 kilograms. Its turbofan engine allows it to achieve a service ceiling of 40,000 feet, reaching a maximum speed of 425 knots (approximately Mach 0.7) at 30,000 feet, where it can maintain airborne presence for up to 10 hours.

The mission architecture for the ANKA III is comprehensive, extending beyond traditional reconnaissance and surveillance to include critical electronic warfare (EW) and strike capabilities. The platform features two internal and five external payload stations, offering considerable flexibility for diverse mission configurations. TUSAŞ is also actively developing the ANKA III’s capacity for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) and Artificial Intelligence-supported swarm technology, indicating its pivotal role in future networked combat operations.

Accompanying the ANKA III, the SÜPER ŞİMŞEK is a tactical unmanned aerial system engineered for high-subsonic speeds. TUSAŞ data specifies the SÜPER ŞİMŞEK’s dimensions as 4 meters in length, a 1.75-meter wingspan, and 0.75 meters in height. It has an MTOW of 200 kilograms and a payload capacity of 50 kilograms. The system can reach a service ceiling of 35,000 feet, achieve a maximum speed of Mach 0.85, and sustain flight for up to 80 minutes. While its stated operational range is 900 kilometers, TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu recently confirmed an extended range of 1,000 kilometers. Its Line-of-Sight (LOS) link range is reported at 150 kilometers.

A standout feature of the SÜPER ŞİMŞEK is its ability to dynamically modify its radar cross-section (RCS) based on mission requirements. TUSAŞ highlights that through a combination of active and passive systems, the platform can be presented on radar as a much larger aircraft. This unique attribute positions the SÜPER ŞİMŞEK as a formidable asset for air defense deception and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions.

The operational effectiveness of the SÜPER ŞİMŞEK was notably demonstrated during the 2026 International ANADOLU ANKASI Exercise held in Konya in April. This exercise marked the system’s inaugural operational deployment, involving personnel from Turkey, the United States, Azerbaijan, Poland, and Slovakia. Within the exercise scenario, the SÜPER ŞİMŞEK successfully mimicked an adversarial aircraft, prompting enemy air defense systems to react and thereby exposing their radar locations. This performance solidified its role not merely as a target drone but as a crucial element in air defense detection and suppression strategies.

Further cementing its integration into the Turkish defense ecosystem, the Ministry of National Defense announced in March 2026 that “various quantities of SÜPER ŞİMŞEK aerial vehicles, developed with indigenous capabilities by TUSAŞ, have been inducted into the Air Force inventory.” This strategic move underscores the critical importance of both ANKA III and SÜPER ŞİMŞEK in advancing Turkey’s aerial combat doctrine, with TUSAŞ continuing to focus on expanding ANKA III’s capacities and achieving new operational milestones by 2027.

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