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.
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.