Turkish drone Bayraktar TB2 shifts role amidst advanced defenses

The Turkish drone Bayraktar TB2 has lost its effectiveness as an assault drone on the front in Ukraine due to the opponent's advanced defense systems. However, experts suggest it may be more beneficial for reconnaissance tasks and intelligence gathering.

The Turkish drone was a sensation in the first weeks of the war in Ukraine. The internet was full of recordings showing how Bayraktar TB2 drones effectively attacked Russian forces, destroying various enemy equipment. The media portrayed the Turkish drone as Ukraine's savior, and a song about it quickly became an international hit.

The videos showing the successes of the Bayraktars quickly ended. As Łukasz Michalik, a journalist for Wirtualna Polska, wrote in an article dedicated to the myths of the war in Ukraine, this situation was the result of significant losses of the Turkish drones. Why did this happen?

Military commentators Oleksandr Kovalenko and Oleksiy Hetman explained the phenomenon on the pages of the New Voice service. According to Kovalenko, the decline in the effectiveness of using Turkish drones is related to the development of the air defense system by Russian Federation forces.

"In the combat zone in Ukraine, Russian air defense systems are ubiquitous. Therefore, the risk for the Bayraktar is enormous," he stated, adding that for this reason, the Turkish drone cannot be used as effectively as before.

"This unmanned aerial vehicle cannot operate in an area with an integrated air defense system," explained the analyst.

The expert noted that this drone was intended for use in developing countries or where the opponent does not have an integrated air defense system.

The military observer Oleksiy Hetman agrees with this conclusion, adding that the Bayraktar TB2 has become an easy target for Russian tactical air defense equipment. The expert explained that the drone is vulnerable due to its large size and limited speed.

Does this mean that Turkish drones will no longer be used in the war in Ukraine? According to experts, it is too early to rule out the Bayraktar TB2 completely.

"If we treat it as an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, the Bayraktar will retain its significance," Kovalenko said, sharing his opinion.

The Turkish drone has a high-quality electro-optical station, allowing reconnaissance, fire adjustment, monitoring enemy movements, and patrolling border areas from a safe distance.

Meanwhile, Hetman believes that using the drone as a communication system or signal amplifier is possible, ensuring communication with other aircraft, especially FPV drones.

Bayraktar TB2 is a MALE-class drone, meaning it is capable of flying at medium altitudes and staying airborne for a long time. Its length is 21 feet, and its wingspan is approximately 39 feet, allowing it to fly at altitudes up to 25,000 feet for up to 27 hours. We are, therefore, talking about one of the most advanced drones on the market.

The drone's take-off weight is 1,543 pounds. This includes a 331-pound payload, which comprises an observation head equipped with a thermal imaging camera or an AESA radar. Additionally, the drone is armed, with weapons mounted on four pylons. All of this makes the Bayraktar TB2 an extraordinarily advanced and versatile drone.

The drone's range from the control station can be between 93 and 186 miles, depending on the control station model used. This means it is capable of operating over a territory as large as Russia. Moreover, the drone can return to its take-off location and automatically land in the event of signal loss, an extremely important feature that ensures the safety and reliability of operations.

The drone uses a set of navigation systems that are resistant to interference. This set includes less accurate but interference-resistant inertial navigation and classic GPS navigation. This allows the drone to move precisely in various conditions and carry out its tasks with the highest precision.