First Bayraktar TB2 UAV to fly 10,000 hours retired

The S5 tail-numbered member of the Bayraktar TB2 fleet, which has performed nearly 1 million flight hours in the sky and entered the inventory in 2014, has successfully surpassed the 10,000-hour flight mark, becoming the first UAV to complete its airframe service life.

Having completed its service period, the Bayraktar TB2 S5 UAV will be used as an airframe life-cycle research aircraft, taking part in training and test flights within Baykar. Replacing the Bayraktar TB2 UAV that was removed from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) inventory after completing its service life, a new Bayraktar TB2 SİHA with tail number T510, fresh off the production line, was gifted to the Land Forces Command by Baykar.

MORE THAN 750 SORTIES

The Bayraktar TB2 S5 UAV, which has successfully served in our skies for 10,000 hours, passed its acceptance tests in 2014 and entered the inventory. It subsequently undertook significant missions in the Trench Operations, Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring, Spring Shield, and the ongoing Claw operations. It performed more than 750 sorties during its service.

A ceremony was held at the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul to mark the farewell of the Bayraktar TB2 S5 UAV. The ceremony was attended by Land Forces Commander General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, 1st Army Commander General Metin Tokel, Army Aviation Commander Major General Zeynel Abidin Erginbaş, UAV Brigade Commander Brigadier General Sertaç Öztürk, Baykar Chairman of the Board Selçuk Bayraktar, Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar, and Baykar employees. Following the cake cutting and the presentation of plaques and gifts at the end of the ceremony, the Bayraktar TB2 S5 UAV was sent off to its new duty station, where it will be used as a training and test aircraft.

900 THOUSAND FLIGHT HOURS

Entering the inventory in 2014, produced with a 93% localization rate, and serving all around the world, Bayraktar TB2 SİHAs successfully surpassed 900,000 flight hours as of September 2024. Thus, the Bayraktar TB2 became the national aircraft that has remained in the sky for the longest time in our aviation history. Bayraktar TB2 SİHAs serve within the Turkish Armed Forces, the National Intelligence Organization, the Gendarmerie General Command, the General Directorate of Security, the Coast Guard Command, and the General Directorate of Forestry for the purpose of combating forest fires.

News Source: 12punto