The Bayraktar TB2 drone continues to impress when defending Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian Air Force had been using the small aircraft to attack ground targets until then.
However, in recent days TB2 made an air-to-air strike for the first time, destroying a Mi-8 helicopter while attacking targets on Snake Island.
In the black and white footage, human figures can be seen leaving the helicopter moments before it exploded. THE video was published by the Southern Operational Command of Ukraine, and shows that some soldiers who were disembarking were hit by the explosion.
# Ukraine: Ukrainian TB-2 drones continue to strike Russian forces on Snake Island.
This time, an Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed, just as troops were disembarking. pic.twitter.com/Y7MO4MiQRN
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) May 8, 2022
The attacks, which were also carried out with the Sukhoi Su-27, caused a trail of destruction in the vicinity of Snake Island, including the destruction of another Russian ship in the Black Sea.
Thick black smoke was seen rising in satellite photos after the attack.
“We are driving the enemy out of every piece of our land, even a small island, from the sea and even from the air”, said the Ukrainian military about the attack.
The Bayraktar TB2
In Ukraine, the Turkish drone is used by the air force and navy, which acquired 12 and six units in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Since the beginning of Russia's troop build-up on the border in early 2021, the Bayraktar TB2 has been used to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and now for attacks.
In of dimensions and performance, the Bayraktar TB2 has the following characteristics:
- 6.5 meters long
- Meters 2.2
- 12 meter wingspan
- 27 hours of autonomy
- Maximum speed of 222 km/h
- Maximum altitude of 25 feet
- 150 kg payload
- Maximum takeoff weight of 700 kg
The cost of acquiring a TB2 is around US$ 4 to 5 million. However, the drone has already destroyed much more expensive equipment than itself, such as the Russian Pantsir S1 air defense system. The model was targeted by the TB2 in conflicts in Syria, Libya, Ukraine, Armenia and the United Arab Emirates.
The TB2 has four hardpoints (two on each wing) to carry a variety of precision weapons, such as the UMTAS/L-UMTAS anti-tank missile, Bozok guided rockets and Togan 81mm grenades.
Despite the variety of weapons, the most used by the TB2 are the MAM precision bombs (Smart Micro Munition). Developed by Roketsan, the bomb has three variants: MAM-C, L and T, guided by laser and/or GPS and Inertial Navigation. Weight ranges from 6,5 kg to 94 kg, depending on pump type.
See more about TB2 Clicking here.
