Breaking News: Türkiye Conducts TB3 Drone Test-Fire armed with MAM-L Missile from Anadolu amphibious assault ship.

On May 13, 2025, a pivotal achievement in Turkish naval aviation was recorded as Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) prototypes 03 and 04 successfully conducted live-fire tests of the MAM-L Smart Micro Missile after taking off from the deck of TCG Anadolu, Turkey's first amphibious assault ship. This milestone not only showcases Turkey's growing self-reliance in defense technologies but also signals a transformative step in integrating drone systems with carrier-based operations, a capability possessed by only a select few military powers worldwide.
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Bayraktar TB3 UCAV takes off from TCG Anadolu to conduct live-fire tests with MAM-L smart munition, marking a new era in Türkiye’s naval drone capabilities. (Picture source: Baykar video footage)

The test firing of the MAM-L precision-guided munition from the TB3 drone marks the operational maturity of Turkey’s drone-carrier concept. Developed by the Turkish Company Baykar Technologies, the Bayraktar TB3 is a versatile fixed-wing UCAV designed specifically for short take-off and landing (STOL) operations on aircraft carriers and amphibious ships. It embodies a unique fusion of portability, precision strike capabilities, and endurance, making it an ideal platform for naval power projection.

The Bayraktar TB3 is engineered with folding wings, a critical design feature that enables it to operate from the compact flight decks of ships like the TCG Anadolu. It is equipped with the TEI-PD170 engine, an indigenous turbodiesel propulsion system developed by Turkish Engine Industries, which allows the drone to achieve extended endurance and high-altitude performance. The UCAV also integrates the CATS electro-optical/infrared targeting system from Aselsan, providing advanced surveillance and target acquisition capabilities even in GPS-denied environments.

With a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 1,450 kg, the TB3 can carry a payload of up to 280 kg, which includes a variety of smart munitions like the MAM-L and MAM-C. Its operational ceiling is around 9,000 m, and it can remain airborne for over 24 hours, offering persistent surveillance and precision strike options over a wide maritime area.

The MAM-L, fired during the latest tests, is a lightweight, laser-guided munition designed by Roketsan for UAV platforms. Weighing about 22 kg, it offers high precision and lethality against armored and soft targets, making it an ideal choice for naval UCAV missions.

The TCG Anadolu, modeled after the Spanish Juan Carlos I-class amphibious assault ship, is now effectively transforming into a drone carrier. Its ability to deploy and recover advanced UCAVs like the TB3 significantly expands Turkey’s naval operational envelope, particularly in the contested waters of the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

This successful demonstration highlights Turkey’s commitment to establishing a fully indigenous and vertically integrated defense industry. As international restrictions on defense exports push Ankara towards self-reliance, achievements like the TB3’s live-fire test from a carrier platform emphasize the country’s determination and technical capacity to pioneer new doctrines in modern warfare.