Image Courtesy: Turkish Aerospace Industries

Türkiye’s ANKA III stealth combat drone has demonstrated a new airborne launch capability, carrying two jet-powered SÜPER ??M?EK unmanned aircraft beneath its wings in a flight recently shared by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSA?).

The company posted footage of the flight on August 14 with the message “Gizli Güç!”, or “Secret Power,” showing the flying-wing UCAV transporting the smaller autonomous systems. The demonstration indicates that ANKA III could eventually serve as a carrier for expendable drones designed for missions such as surveillance, electronic warfare, deception, and attack, according to TUSA?.

The concept builds on an earlier test in which ANKA III released a SÜPER ??M?EK during flight. The smaller aircraft separated from its carrier and subsequently completed an autonomous 50-minute flight before landing by parachute. TUSA? says SÜPER ??M?EK can also carry payloads for electronic support and attack missions.

ANKA III is a low-observable, turbofan-powered UCAV designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, and strike operations. TUSA? lists a service ceiling of 40,000 feet, a maximum speed of Mach 0.7, and an endurance of up to 10 hours. Its internal weapons bays are intended to reduce radar visibility while allowing it to carry a substantial payload.

The SÜPER ??M?EK adds another layer of capability. The high-subsonic UAV can reach Mach 0.85 and 35,000 feet, according to TUSA?. The company says it can be used to deceive or suppress air defenses, conduct electronic warfare, and perform other tactical missions. It can also be launched from ANKA III, ANKA, and AKSUNGUR platforms.

Carrying smaller autonomous aircraft could allow ANKA III to deploy additional systems deeper into contested airspace without requiring each drone to operate independently from the ground. Different payloads could potentially perform specialized tasks, forcing air-defense operators to respond to multiple airborne threats.

The approach also fits Türkiye’s broader push toward manned-unmanned teaming, including concepts involving its KAAN fighter and ANKA III. However, a fully integrated network involving all three aircraft has not yet been publicly demonstrated.

The latest flight therefore marks another step toward using ANKA III not simply as a stealth combat drone, but as an airborne launch platform for autonomous systems.