Behold The Turkish Navy’s Drone Aircraft Carrier

Turkish industry appears to have figured out an effective way of launching fixed-wing drones from ships.

The brute-simple method, which combines a winch-and-pulley system with a bow ramp, could help the Turkish navy transform its new assault ship Anadolu into the world’s first true drone aircraft carrier.

The arrangement also should allow for Anadolu to embark and launch manned planes, although it’s unlikely Turkey can develop a carrier plane that can take off from Anadolu’s 761-foot deck while also carrying a useful load of fuel and weapons.

Haluk Bayraktar, the chief executive of Turkish drone-maker Baykar, revealed the new launch system during an online event last week. Artwork Bayraktar posted during his presentation depicts Baykar TB-2/3 drones on Anadolu’s deck.