AiBotIstanbul, Turkey – Baykar’s Chairman and Chief Technology Officer, Selçuk Bayraktar, has spoken out in support of the growing trend of using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop autonomous combat drones. In a recent statement, he likened the capabilities of these machines to those of IBM’s Deep Blue computer, which famously defeated the world chess champion, Garry Kasparov, in 1997.
According to Bayraktar, the contrast between human-operated and autonomous aircraft is becoming increasingly outdated. He emphasized that AI-powered systems not only match but surpass the capabilities of their manned counterparts, citing their ability to carry out complex missions with greater precision and lower costs.
“There is no human in this aircraft,” Baykar’s chairman stated. “It can do everything a manned aircraft does—and more.” This assertion highlights the significant operational benefits offered by autonomous systems, which Bayraktar believes are being overlooked in the ongoing debate surrounding the use of AI in military aviation.
One of the most significant advantages of autonomous aircraft lies in their reduced personnel requirements. By removing the need for human pilots, AI-powered drones can eliminate years of training, the substantial costs associated with pilot training, and the inherent risks posed by human error. Bayraktar estimated that the human element is the most expensive component in military aviation, a contention that is likely to generate significant interest among military planners and strategists.
The use of AI in the development of combat drones is an area of rapidly growing interest for military forces around the world. As the industry continues to evolve and improve, it is likely that the role of the human pilot will continue to recede in favor of autonomous systems. Those who can adapt most effectively to this shift are likely to gain a significant advantage over their competitors.
Turkey’s Baykar is at the forefront of the push to develop AI-powered combat drones, having produced some of the world’s most advanced systems. The company’s Bayraktar TB2, a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), has seen widespread use in combat operations across the region.