On November 4, the Turkish company Baykar released a video showcasing the Bayraktar TB2 combat drone in a new role — as a carrier for small FPV kamikaze drones. According to Baykar and company posts on the X social network, cited by RBC-Ukraine, the TB2 took off with 16 Skydagger units mounted under its wings, and during the test, two of them hit designated targets. In addition to the drop function, the large drone simultaneously served as a communications relay, enabling control of the small craft at a distance.
How the tests were conducted
The released footage shows special underwing mounts where eight FPV drones were placed under each wing of the TB2. After takeoff, the drone headed to the test area and released the devices; video, which was also broadcast by the state television channel TRT Haber, captures the flight of the dropped drones and a direct hit on a ground target. Baykar executive Selcuk Bayraktar accompanied the footage with the caption "16 x FPV Drone Drop Test," and the company’s Turkish statement confirmed that two FPV kamikaze drones dropped from the TB2 hit their designated targets with precision.
TB2's role as a communications relay
A key element of the test was not just the delivery, but also the communication function: the Bayraktar TB2 acted as a relay, extending the control range for the small FPV craft. This approach allows operators to guide FPV drones at distances inaccessible with direct ground control and to use the large UAV as a mobile communication node over the operational area. The "carrier + relay" combination transforms the TB2 into a platform for the massive deployment of low-cost kamikaze drones under centralized control.
Platform characteristics
According to Baykar, the Bayraktar TB2 is designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes. It has a wingspan of 12 meters, a maximum payload capacity of 150 kg, and a flight endurance exceeding 18 hours. The manufacturer emphasizes that the latter figure is a general characteristic of the TB2, rather than the result of a specific test with FPV drones, which is important to consider when evaluating the "carrier" configuration capabilities.
Context: competition in the drone carrier segment
Baykar's test fits into a broader trend in the development of countermeasures and the use of small UAVs. In September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that two Ukrainian companies had conducted combat tests of interceptors for jet-powered "Shahed" drones, during which an enemy drone was destroyed, noting that 67 companies are working on similar means. Earlier, on September 4, the US Army completed tests of unmanned tethered systems on Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility light infantry vehicles, conducted from July 27 to August 7. On the international stage, interest in the TB2 platform remains high: reports suggest that the Turkish agency is discussing the acquisition of Bayraktar TB2 and TB3 drones with Japan, indicating sustained demand for this platform abroad.
