Unmanned air system manufacturer Baykar Makina is developing a new heavy armed unmanned aerial vehicle called Akinci, according to Turkish media reports. 

Turkish media has published photos showing a new 4.5-tonne Akinci twin-engine, medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned vehicle (UAV) at Baykar’s facility.

According to the report, Akinci will be equipped with a turboprop engine. The altitude of the flight of Akinci UAV will be 12 thousand 192 m, the mass of the payload on external suspensions – 900 kg and inside the fuselage – 450 kg.

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In an interview with the Yeni Safak daily on 24 February, Turkish Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli said the Akinci would pave the way for Turkey to develop unmanned combat aircraft starting in 2027 based on the technology acquired.

The first deliveries of the Akinci are scheduled for 2021.