Turkey is solemnly reporting on new tests of the world's first aircraft carrier for UAVs, the Anadolu UDC. The famous Turkish drone Bayraktar TB3, a version with a folding wing, took off from the deck of this ship for the first time. This event should rather make us happy. Why should Russia hardly repeat such an experiment?
Drones have become so fashionable in the world that special carrier ships are now being designed for them. UAVs in naval warfare are certainly necessary. The only question is what exactly these devices should be and how to use them.
And in this sense, it is especially interesting what our closest neighbor on the Black Sea and a NATO member, Turkey, is doing with naval UAVs. For the first time, the Turkish Navy conducted flight tests of the marine version of the famous Bayraktar TB3 drone, which took off from the deck of the Anadolu universal amphibious assault ship (UDC) – positioned by the Turks as the first Turkish aircraft carrier . As well as the world's first ship, which should become a specialized aircraft carrier for drones.
What can Bayraktar do when used from an aircraft carrier
A ship of this type (and the Turks took the Spanish Juan Carlos I project as a model) carries 20 AV-8 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in the hangar – the American version of the British Harrier. Of course, in reality, he will not take so much, because to ensure combat sorties of attack aircraft, search and rescue helicopters and a helicopter air group are needed to evacuate downed pilots.
Taking into account the size of the Harriers, it can be assumed that due to the folding wings of the Bayraktars, they can be placed in the hangar in an amount of no more than 30 units. Theoretically, four or six more can stand on the deck, stored openly. It is difficult to say how many of them the Turks will be able to use at the same time. Conditionally, it can be assumed that the maximum number of such UAVs in the air will be equal to the capacity of the ship and will amount to 36 units.
In theory, such a number of drones can provide situational awareness and intelligence for an entire fleet, giving it an undeniable advantage in naval warfare over any enemy other than the United States.
But so far, the Bayraktar does not have a radar station (radar) – and this seriously narrows its capabilities. With only optoelectronic reconnaissance equipment, Bayraktar cannot match the search performance of either a ground aircraft or a ship-based helicopter. Whatever its range, and at sea, where you need to look for radio-contrast targets, it is too blind. The manufacturer of the UAV, the Baykar company, promises a replaceable module with sighting and search equipment, which may also include a multi–purpose radar. But so far it is not available, and creating an effective radar in the declared weight and size characteristics is not an easy task.
The same disappointment awaits the Turks when performing shock missions. Yes, Bayraktar is a problematic target, because of the use of a non–metallic fuselage, it is difficult to detect. But, for example, in April 2022, the frigate Admiral Essen shot down the Ukrainian Bayraktar at a distance of 30 km, using the ship's anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) "Calm".
Subsequently, the ships of the Black Sea Fleet (Black Sea Fleet) and aviation shot down all the Bayraktars of the Ukrainian Navy. That is, as a strike vehicle in naval warfare, this UAV has limited potential already due to its survivability.
And if Bayraktar's attack is missed? This UAV can carry MAM-C gliding bombs weighing 6.5 kg and two MAM-L bombs weighing 22 kg. Both need laser illumination of the target and require the entry of the UAV into the zone of destruction of the ship's air defense systems. In theory, at one time the Turks could arm themselves with UMTAS guided missiles weighing several tens of kilograms (up to 60 kg in the largest modification), but their range is only eight kilometers.
Baykar promises a different range of ammunition, up to air–to-air missiles, but, again, they are not yet available. Unlike the previous TB2 model, the marine TB3 has not four, but six suspension units, of which the internal ones can carry two aviation weapons (ASP). Thus, if the old UAV could carry four TSA, then the new one could carry eight, of which two are strictly MOM–With 6.5 kg each.
A total of 36 Bayraktars are 216 MAM-L and 72 MAM-C bombs. This is 5220 kg of combat load in one flight.
The figure of 280 kg of payload, announced by the manufacturer and published in the media, includes the same replaceable module with sighting and reconnaissance equipment, and cannot be completely "selected" by means of destruction.
For comparison, one Turkish F-16 carries more than nine tons. Of course, it is impossible to compare this way, "Bayraktars" can deliver multiple strikes on a wide front. They are quite effective against undisguised air defenses of ground troops, and one fighter will not replace them, but the figure is still indicative. And heavier than the Bayraktar, Turkish UAVs are unlikely to be able to be based on the Anadolu, as they require an aerial finisher.
And if not Bayraktar?
For naval warfare in the air, Turkey has 24 (one training, actually 23) American Sikorsky S-70 Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters. In addition to very good radar and automated data transmission systems, these helicopters also carry AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship missiles. This is a serious weapon in naval warfare, and we, as Turkey's neighbors, should take this into account.
Unlike the Bayraktars, the Penguin carriers can cause serious damage even to a rocket ship. They can also detect it from a safe distance. The advantage over Bayraktar is radical.
In theory, the Turks have American AN-1 "Supercobra" helicopters for fire support of the landing from the sea. Turkey itself produces attack helicopters T-129 ATTACKS, and can adapt them to ship-based. These vehicles are inferior to the Bayraktars as scouts above ground and in the fight against unarmed small boats, but they surpass them in almost all other tasks.
Theoretically, the Turks could generally develop a marine version of the serial light turboprop aircraft "Hurkush" and use it with full-fledged precision weapons. There is no problem using light-engine aircraft of a special design on ships such as the Anadolu, where there is no aero finisher. The same Americans put twin-engined light reconnaissance and Bronco attack aircraft on their landing ships.
Of course, the Turks would have to refine the plane, and a special landing technique, too. And all this would not cancel the use of "Bayraktars" as scouts over enemy territory and near its very shore. Fortunately for Turkey's enemies, and for Russia, the Turks do not harbor such plans and do not voice them. But the French have successfully used attack helicopters from their Mistrals in Libya. But Turkey has not learned this experience. Let's hope it won't be.
There is still a threat
And yet, when landing troops on a poorly guarded coast and in the absence of a powerful echeloned air defense, the Turkish bayraktar carrier can be effective. In Syria, Libya, Karabakh, and initially in Ukraine, the Bayraktars created a number of serious problems for the enemy.
There are other situations in which he can cause serious harm to Turkey's opponents. The reconnaissance capabilities of any Turkish detachment of warships will be greatly enhanced by a combination of UAVs and Anadolu UDC. In addition, in the future, the Turks may guess how to do the right thing with the air group, and then the Anadolu in the variant of the ersatz aircraft carrier will become a big problem. Therefore, there should be no illusions about the Turkish experiments.
Another important lesson is that there is no point in building special drone ships. Drones must carry any corvettes or frigates. And they should be optimized for naval warfare. And a special ship is just an irrational expenditure of resources. The Turkish Navy will have to test this on its own experience.
Alexander Timokhin
