Togo has acquired Bayraktar TB2 drones manufactured by Turkey, announces the ‘Military Africa’ website. The number of devices ordered is unknown, but the site explains that they will be used to combat jihadist infiltration from Burkina Faso. ‘Togo plans to use Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2s to monitor its northern part and support its fighting forces’.
The Bayraktar is a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed, designed, and manufactured by the Turkish Company Baykar.
The Bayraktar TB2 is capable of conducting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and armed attack missions. The design of the Bayraktar consists of a monocoque fuselage integrating an inverse v-tail structure. The engine is positioned between the tail booms and fuel is stored in bladder tanks.
Made of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and hybrid composites, the Bayraktar TB2 has a length of 6.5m, a wingspan of 12m, and a maximum take-off weight of 630kg. It is powered by a sole 100hp Rotax 912 Internal Combustion Engine.