Detailed Drone C Successfully Performs First Flight Test With Two 850Hp Machines

JAKARTA - Akinci C, the latest variant of unmanned combat vehicles made by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, successfully completed its inaugural flight with a new, stronger engine last February.

The Akinci C drone powered by two engines with an 850-horsepower (Hp) engine each, took off from the training center and flight testing in the northwestern province of Tekirda total for one hour to air, Baykar said.

"Bayraktar #AKINCI is in the sky with its new power!" the company wrote on social media platform X, alongside the flight video, quoted from Daily Sabah April 1

"Bayraktar #AKINCI C has successfully completed its first test flight with its new engine measuring 2x850=1700 HP which will provide high performance," he continued.

The total engine power makes it the most effective and capable combat platform in its class. In comparison, variants A and B Akaturcter fly with machines each with a total magnitude of 900 hp and 1,500 hp.

During the latest test flight, Baykar engineers also managed to test drone aerodynamic parameters.

First delivered to the armed forces at the end of August 2021, Ancinci is Turkey's most advanced and most recent drone that has amassed 40,000 flight hours.

The aircraft has hit record flight heights for Turkey and various export deals, including the largest defense contract in the history of the country agreed with Saudi Arabia last year.

Baykar has reached an agreement to sell Akinci to nine countries to date. Meanwhile, his smaller brother, Bayraktar TB2, has been exported to 33 countries.

Baykar itself is Turkey's largest defense exporter, which generated sales worth nearly $1.8 billion in 2023, out of total state sales of $5.5 billion.