In a major step forward for its unmanned combat capabilities, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has successfully conducted a test flight of its next-generation ANKA III stealth drone, launching a Super Şimşek jet-powered decoy designed to deceive enemy radar systems. The test, announced Tuesday on the company’s official account on X, marks a significant milestone in Turkey’s development of manned-unmanned teaming for future air combat scenarios.
The flight test was conducted at an altitude of 3,060 meters (10,130 feet) and a speed of 150 knots, as part of the country’s broader strategy to implement the “loyal wingman” concept—an emerging global doctrine that deploys drones alongside piloted aircraft in high-risk missions.
The ANKA III, unveiled in 2023 and first flown in December of that year, is a tailless, flying-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for stealth and versatility. Capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 0.7 and altitudes of 40,000 feet, the aircraft boasts a payload capacity of 1,200 kilograms and an operational endurance of up to 10 hours. Its radar-evading design allows it to operate in contested environments with reduced detection risk, supporting both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions.
In the test, ANKA III launched the Super Şimşek, a jet-powered decoy originally developed as a high-speed target drone. Upgraded with radar and infrared signature enhancers, Super Şimşek can mimic fighter aircraft such as the F-16, F-35, and Turkey’s domestically built KAAN stealth jet. With a range of up to 700 kilometers and speeds approaching Mach 0.9, the drone can provoke enemy air defense systems, opening corridors for strike missions by other drones or manned aircraft.
Haluk Görgün, head of Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency (SSB), called the test “a clear demonstration of the advanced stage our UCAV technology has reached,” praising the engineering behind high-speed, high-altitude unmanned systems.
At the IDEX 2025 defense expo in Abu Dhabi, USAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu emphasized Super Şimşek’s role in enabling “coordinated assaults” by simulating enemy targets and triggering radar responses, thus compromising hostile air defenses.
The integration of ANKA III and Super Şimşek forms part of Turkey’s Autonomous Wingman Concept, an initiative designed to enhance interoperability between manned and unmanned aerial platforms. Some analysts say the successful pairing of the two systems signals Turkey’s growing ambition to become a major player in next-generation aerial warfare.
