AI-Piloted Drones: Bayraktar-Drone Performs Autonomous Takeoff and Landing
Autonomous Bayraktar Drone Successfully Executes Flight and Landing Operations
The remote control of drones by humans was a groundbreaking move in warfare. The next step seems to be replacing human control with AI, as evidenced by recent tests in Turkey. Even during takeoff and landing.
The idea of soldiers remotely controlling drones and essentially killing enemy forces from afar has been a controversial topic for decades, with the American use of drones in Afghanistan being a prime example. The impact of drone warfare was perhaps most vividly demonstrated during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Drones have been crucial for both sides in this conflict, with Ukraine reportedly conducting strikes on Russian military airfields using such technology, and destroying over 40 aircraft in the process. This is material that is significantly more expensive than a single drone.
Currently, the next stage in drone warfare is the use of artificial intelligence. The Ukraine recently demonstrated this with drone systems that use AI to autonomously steer to targets. The Turkish defense contractor Baykar now appears to be making a move in a complex area: autonomous takeoff and landing. Baykar's CEO, Selcuk Bayraktar, shared a video that claims to show the "fully autonomous" AI-assisted takeoff and landing of a Bayraktar TB3 drone.
Bayraktar's TB3 model is an upgrade of the popular TB2, which has been widely used by the Ukraine to defend against Russia. The TB3 is designed to launch from ships with shorter runways, and could be the model that takes a significant step away from human control and towards AI control.
In relation to the video, Bayraktar writes "Full-automatic takeoff and landing tests with AI support." The video itself provides some clues as to how the Bayraktar TB3 operates. At second 9, a blue line is visualized on the runway of an aircraft carrier, likely from the drone's perspective.
Europe can also expect similar developments due to planned substantial defense investments. Recently, Baykar has agreed to a close collaboration with Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo in the billion-dollar business of combat drones. After several months of negotiations, the two companies signed an agreement in Rome for the development of unmanned technologies. Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani estimated the market in Europe for unmanned combat aircraft, armed surveillance drones, and combat drones at over 100 billion euros in the next decade. Leonardo is also involved in the development of the European drone Eurodrone with Airbus and Dassault.
- Turkey
- Drones
- Arms
Insights:
- The Bayraktar TB3 utilizes a combination of vision-based, AI-assisted systems to enable precise control during autonomous takeoffs and landings. This technology reduces the need for human intervention and increases efficiency.
- The drone's AI-assisted mission planning allows it to execute autonomous flights, including live-fire exercises, as seen during the Denizkurdu 2025 exercise.
These advancements make the Bayraktar TB3 a pioneering drone in the world of aviation, capable of operating on short-runway carriers with full autonomy.
- The employments of vision-based, AI-assisted systems in the Bayraktar TB3 drone significantly reduces the need for human intervention during autonomous takeoffs and landings, making it a game-changer in the realm of drone technology.
- In line with the recent collaboration between Baykar and Leonardo, there is an anticipated influx of investment in drone technology within Europe, particularly focusing on the development of unmanned combat aircraft, armed surveillance drones, and combat drones, potentially worth over 100 billion euros in the next decade.
