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The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar Defence, primarily for the Turkish Armed Forces. The aircraft are monitored and controlled by an aircrew in a ground control station, including weapons employment. The development of the UAV has been largely credited to Selçuk Bayraktar, a former MIT graduate student. While the Turkish Armed Forces describes Bayraktar TB2 as "Tactical UAV Class" to prevent it from being a competitor to the TAI Anka UAV, international standards would classify it as a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV.

As of 26 November 2021, the TB2 drone had completed 400,000 flight-hours globally. The largest operator of TB2 drones is the Turkish military but an export model has been sold to the militaries of a number of other countries. Turkey has used the drone extensively in strikes on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and People's Protection Units (YPG) targets in Iraq and Syria Bayraktar drones were used by Azerbaijan in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and by Ukrainian forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The aircraft previously relied on imported and regulated components and technologies such as Rotax 912 engines (manufactured in Austria) and optoelectronics (FLIR sensors imported from Wescam in Canada or Hensoldt from Germany). Bombardier Recreational Products, owner of Rotax, suspended delivery of their engines to certain countries in October 2020, after becoming aware of their military use despite being certified for civil use only. In the same month, Canadian WESCAM (optics and sensors) exports were restricted by the Canadian Foreign Ministry. Turkish industry responded to foreign sales boycotts by announcing provision of domestically manufactured alternatives including TEI PD170 engine (manufactured by TEI), CATS FLIR system (manufactured by Aselsan), and fuel valve (manufactured by Aselsan). Integration tests with Turkish company Aselsan's CATS FLIR system started on 6 November 2020. Turkish defense industry researcher Kadir Doğan tweeted that cancellation of sales of components to Baykar by foreign companies did not pose a major problem, and that as of January 2021 all those components have been replaced by locally manufactured alternatives.

The development of the Bayraktar TB2 had been spurred by a U.S. ban on exports of armed unmanned aircraft to Turkey due to concerns they would be used against PKK groups inside and outside Turkey.

Baykar started developing a new combat tactical aerial vehicle system at the request of the Presidency of Defense Industries, after the experiences of its first tactical UAV, the Bayraktar Çaldıran or Bayraktar TB1, delivered to the Turkish army in 2011. The Bayraktar TB2 made its maiden flight in August 2014. On 18 December 2015, a video was published of a test firing of a missile from the Bayraktar TB2, a result of a collaboration with Roketsan. Roketsan's MAM and TUBITAK-SAGE's BOZOK laser-guided bombs were tested for the first time.

According to British newspaper The Guardian, the arming of the Bayraktar TB2 would not have been possible without the help of UK-based technology, namely the Hornet micro-munitions bomb rack developed by EDO MBM Technology Ltd, Brighton in the UK. The bomb rack was provided to Turkey in 2015, and a variant of it was integrated onto the aircraft by the UK company and Roketsan. In response to The Guardian newspaper, Baykar Chief Technical Officer Selçuk Bayraktar denied that the bomb rack came from the UK. "We are not buying it from you, we never did. It not only does not work under any circumstances but is also very expensive," Bayraktar said on Twitter. "We have designed and manufactured a more advanced and cost-effective one ourselves."

On 19 August 2020 the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) disclosed details of a six-year history of exports of the Hornet bomb rack to Turkey between 2014 and 2020 suggesting that supply of the critical technology to Turkey had continued well beyond the development stage of the Bayraktar TB2 and right up to the publication of the Guardian story in November 2019. "There were 18 Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) applications submitted by EDO MBM Technology between 2014–2020 for exports of goods 'related to Hornet Bomb Racks / Hornet Missile Launchers' to Turkey where the proposed exports were for end-users in Turkey. Of these, 16 licences were granted, and 2 applications were stopped."

Baykar signed a deal with Qatar in March 2018 to manufacture six drones for the Qatari forces. In January 2018, Baykar signed an agreement with Ukrspetsproject, part of Ukroboronprom, on the purchase of 12 Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and 3 ground control stations worth US$69 million for the Ukrainian army. Ukraine received the first batch of the UAVs in March 2019.

The Bayraktar TB2 production cost is $1–2 million dollars.

In October 2020 the use of the Canadian Wescam CMX-15D system in the drone was disclosed after Armenian officials claimed that remains of a CMX-15D system had been recovered from a downed TB2 drone during the nation's conflict with Azerbaijan. That triggered the stopping of CMX-15D exports to Turkey while an investigation by Global Affairs Canada evaluates the use of Canadian technology in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey selected the Common Aperture Targeting System (CATS) from Aselsan as a replacement for Canadian CMX-15D.

In 2021 the Bayraktar TB2 completed 400,000 operational flight hours.

Design
The Bayraktar TB2 platform has a blended wing body design with an inverse V-tail structure. Thrust is generated through the internal combustion engine placed between the tail booms. The monocoque platform is modular with detachable main items such as wing, tail boom, and V-tails. All of the fuselage items are mostly made of carbon fiber composite parts whereas precision CNC machined aluminum parts are used at the junction sections of the platform. Fuel is stored within bladder tanks and fuel consumption is automatically balanced with solenoid valves. A variable pitch two-blade propeller allows for medium altitude efficient flying.

The ground control station (GCS) is based on a NATO spec shelter unit which is equipped with cross redundant command and control systems. The mobile unit supports three personnel: pilot, payload operator and mission commander. The GCS is equipped with redundant air conditioners and nuclear, biological and chemical filtration (NBC) filtering unit. All hardware inside the shelter is placed inside racked cabinets. Each operator has dual screens in front along with the operator interface software used for real-time command, control and monitoring.

Configuration
Each TB2 is configured with six aerial vehicle platforms, two ground control stations, three ground data terminals (GDT), two remote video terminals (RVT) and ground support equipment. Each aerial platform is equipped with a triply redundant avionics system. Its ground control system's cross redundant architecture allows for pilot, payload operator and mission commander to command, control and monitor the platform.

Digital flight control system
Bayraktar has a triple-redundant flight control system with autonomous taxi, takeoff, cruise, landing and parking capability without any external sensor aid. The flight control system is the central main component, which conducts sensor fusion algorithms running with the real-time sensor data. Mission-specific controls are handled through the mission control computer system. The aerial platform is guided through various redundant rotary and linear servo actuators, which are designed according to the dynamics of the aerial platform. All of the main airborne avionics equipment, software and hardware are under constant development so as to achieve utmost performance. The electronic power unit that powers the onboard systems is supported with triple alternators and balanced, smart lithium-ion battery units. A ruggedized heated camera unit is placed in the tail section of the platform to monitor flight and all payload and telemetry data are recorded to the airborne data recorder. The redundancy architecture of the avionics supports autonomous emergency landings on different airfields if necessary. Sensor fusion algorithms allow navigation and auto landing even with loss of global positioning signals.

Turkey's counterinsurgency operations
The Turkish military's use of the TB2 gained prominence in counterinsurgency operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and People's Protection Units (YPG) militants positions across the border in Iraq and Syria.

On 30 June 2018, one Turkish Air Force Bayraktar TB2 crashed due to technical issues in Hatay province, Turkey.

On 15 August 2018, Turkish Land Forces successfully used Bayraktar TB2 in a joint cross-border operation of the Turkish Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Organization of Turkey to kill the senior (PKK) leader and board member of the Kurdistan Communities Union İsmail Özden in Sinjar District, northwestern Iraq.

Turkish military used combined UAV and artillery tactics in Syria against the PKK-linked YPG. According to Turkey the number of militant killed or wounded rose to 449 by use of armed TB2 and 680 were indirectly in operations assisted by air support from the UAV.

On 16 May 2021, one Bayraktar TB2 crashed in Zebari, Northern Iraq, Kurdish militants claimed they shot down the drone.

Libya
In June 2019, international news media reported that the Libyan UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) used Bayraktar TB2s to strike an airbase held by General Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). Despite the UN embargo on Libya's ongoing civil war, it is suspected that at least 3 Bayraktar TB2 UCAV were being used over Tripoli by the GNA government forces. On 6 June 2019, two GNA Bayraktar TB2 drones are destroyed along a operation room by LNA attacks on Mitiga Airport. Video evidence shows at-least one Bayraktar TB2 flying over Tripoli about to land at Mitiga's Military section, under control of GNA-allied forces.

• On 14 May 2019, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is destroyed by LNA defenses in Al -Jufra area.
• On 6 June 2019, two GNA Bayraktar TB2 drones are destroyed along an operation room by LNA attacks on Mitiga Airport.
• On 30 June 2019, a Bayraktar TB2 drone is destroyed by LNA defenses.
• On 25 July 2019, two LNA Ilyushin Il-76TD cargo planes are destroyed in the ground in al-Jufra Air base by an attack made by Bayraktar TB2 drones. A GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is shot down near al-Jufra airbase during the same attack.
• On 14 December 2019, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is shot down in Ain Zara, Tripoli.
• On 2 January 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is shot down south of Mitiga Airport, Tripoli.
• On 22 January 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone with GNA markings is shot down by LNA forces after taking off from Mitiga International Airport.
• On 25 February 2020, the LNA shoot down a GNA Turkish made Bayraktar TB2 drone, providing a video of the wreck.
• On 26 February 2020, the LNA shoot down another GNA Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone, providing video of the wreck.
• On 31 March 2020, the LNA shot down two GNA Bayraktar TB2 combat drones near Tripoli; one in Misrata Air College and another in Al-Tawaisha.
• On 5 April 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is shot down by LNA forces in Alwashka, Libya.
• On 11 April 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is shot down in Tarhuna.
• On 16 April 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone was shot down near Tarhuna.
• On 17 April 2020, two GNA Bayraktar TB2 drones are shot down; one near Bani Walid and another in the South near Wadi dinar.
• On 18 April 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is shot down by LNA forces south of Tripoli.
• On 2 May 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is destroyed at Arada, near Mitiga Airport, downed by LNA forces.
• On 12 May 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone is shot down near Ash Shwayrif, Tripoli.
• On 21 May 2020, Libyan National Army's Pantsir missile system shot down two GNA drones; one TAI Anka drone near Tarhuna city and one Bayraktar TB2 drone near Jebel Sherif.
• On 7 June 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone was shot down by LNA forces near Sirte.
• 8 June 2020, a GNA Bayraktar TB2 drone was shot down by LNA forces as it attempted to bomb LNA forces in Sirte.
• By 1 July 2020, at least 16 Bayraktar TB2 drones were reported shot down or lost on Libya during six months of fighting and 23 were reported lost since LNA offensive in Western Libya that began in April 2019.
• On 11 March 2021, A US correspondent Jeff Jaworski wrote that a total of 47 Bayraktar drones were destroyed by LNA defenses mainly Pantsir-S missile systems; in turn 9 Pantsir-S were destroyed by Bayraktar drones.

Syria
In March 2020 Bayraktar TB2s, Anka-S UAVs, and an array of Koral electronic jammers were deployed and extensively used in coordinated action to strike Syrian Army targets on the ground during the Operation Spring Shield launched by Turkey following losses the Turkish forces incurred at the hands of the Russian forces in northwestern Syria at the end February 2020. The deployment was assessed by experts to be a success and a tactical game-changer.

During the week of fighting, Turkish drones took out 73 Syrian armed vehicles. Russian sources said that the Russian-backed Syrian air defences claimed the destruction of seven Bayraktar TB2 UAVs by 5 March 2020. However, there is only visual evidence for three Bayraktar drones being shot down.

On 23 August 2020, another Bayraktar TB2 drone was shot down by Syrian Air Defenses near Kafr Nabl, Idlib after being detected spotting targets for Syrian rebels.

On 22 October 2021, Turkey launched a surprise attack using Bayraktar TB2s on Syrian town Ain Al-arab destroying several vehicles and killing a passenger of the car, a suspected member of a Kurdish rebel group.

Azerbaijan and 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war
In June 2020, the Defence Minister of Azerbaijan, Zakir Hasanov, announced that Azerbaijan had decided to purchase Bayraktar drones from Turkey. During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Bayraktar TB2s were used against Armed Forces of Armenia with great success. Azerbaijan used TB-2 to destroy Armenian artillery, infantry positions and military vehicles, including BM-30 Smerch MLRS, T-72s tanks, BMP-1 and BMP-2 IFVs. Nine Osa and Strela-10 air defense systems were also destroyed by Azerbaijani drones, likely TB2s. On 19 October 2020, a Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2s was shot down by air defenses of the Armenian Army over Nagorno Karabakh. On 8 November 2020, another Azerbaijani Bayraktar TB2 was shot down by air defense, in southeastern Nagorno Karabakh. After learning that their products were used on Bayraktar TB2 drones, Hampshire-based UK aircraft component manufacturer Andair announced halting supply and cancelling all orders from Baykar Makina on 11 January 2021. The British manufacturer became the latest company to stop selling equipment to Turkey after its components were found in drones shot down during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. After that the Turkish government announced to instead locally produce the component that Andair boycotted.

Ukraine and 2022 Russian invasion
As a part of its military modernization program the Armed Forces of Ukraine purchased 12 Bayraktar TB2s in 2019. After successful testing of the aircraft, the Ukrainian Navy made a separate order for 6 Bayraktar TB2s, set to be delivered in 2021, according to navy officials. Meanwhile, Turkish and Ukrainian officials announced the establishment of a joint venture to produce 48 additional Bayraktar TB2s in Ukraine. The first batch of the Bayraktar TB2 complex was delivered to the Navy in July 2021.

During a Russian military buildup in Crimea and near Ukraine's borders, a Bayraktar TB2 conducted a reconnaissance flight over the Donbas region on 9 April 2021. This was the first operationalization of the aircraft by the Ukrainian Forces within an active conflict zone. In October 2021, a Bayraktar TB2 drone was used for the first time in combat during the war, targeting a Russian separatist artillery position, destroying a D-30 howitzer, and halting the bombardment of Ukrainian troops near Hranitne.

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bayraktar TB2 drones have been used by the Ukraine’s armed forces against Russian troops. In January prior to the invasion, the spokesperson for the air force command Lt. Col. Yuri Ignat confirmed that "Ukraine has approximately 20 Bayraktar drones, but we will not stop there". On 24 February, the day of invasion, the People's Militia of the Luhansk People’s Republic claimed it shot down two TB2 drones near the city of Luhansk. On 27 February, the Ukraine’s air force confirmed two strikes by TB2 on Russian convoys in the Kherson and Zhytomyr regions. According to video footage released by the armed forces, TB2 drones successfully destroyed several Russian military vehicles including surface-to-air missile systems. The drone also reportedly destroyed two Russian fuel trains. The chief of Ukraine’s air force Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk called the UAV system "life-giving". On 2 March, Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov announced the arrival of additional TB2 drones.

Ethiopia and Tigray
Ethiopian forces have reportedly been using the TB2 against the TPLF in the Tigray War. Satellite images have shown TB2 drones in Harar Meda airbase, and debris of MAM-L guided munition have been found in Tigray. On 7 January 2022, a drone strike killed nearly 60 civilians and injured dozens more in a camp of internally displaced people in Dedebit in Tigray; the missile used was a MAM-L exclusively used with the Turkish-made TB2 drone.

Bayraktar TB2S
In October 2020, Baykar CTO Selçuk Bayraktar showed the new, improved version of TB2, named TB2S. In Selçuk Bayraktar's Twitter post, the TB2S has a protrusion on its body and an antenna on its nose for satellite communication (SATCOM). In the basic model of TB2, communication between the aircraft and the control station was via ground-based antenna. Communication via the TÜRKSAT satellite provides a much bigger control range than the 150–300 km range of the basic model. The satellite communication will also make the TB2S more resistant to the jamming of communication by the enemy. The SATCOM-integrated TB2S made its maiden flight on 4 December 2020.

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