Turkish defence firm Baykar’s chairman Selcuk Bayraktar announced that the company aims to commence production of its new unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) next year. Named “Kizilelma”, the drone expands the company’s product range from slow, ground attack drones to fast and agile autonomous ones that work alongside fighter jets.
Bayraktar led the design of the 15-metre-long (49 feet) jet-powered drone and said, “the Kizilelma expresses a whole new future for combat aviation.” Baykar’s light drone TB-2 has been used in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and North Africa, making the company one of the largest Turkish defence exporters.
Baykar plans to begin producing the new drone in small quantities next year. Kizilelma made its first flight in December and began formation flight tests with Baykar’s other drones this month. The drone is ready to begin test flights alongside piloted jets, with deployment on Turkey’s amphibious ship scheduled for next year. Bayraktar revealed that there is already demand from abroad for the new drone, although its specialised capabilities mean it can be sent to less export markets.
Bayraktar spoke on the sidelines of an aerospace and technology festival organised by his foundation, where high-profile military projects have figured prominently in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s election campaign. Bayraktar said he sees the drone as the culmination of a national aspiration and a product that shows “our country is not only a player but also a game maker”.
Thermal sensors, also known as infrared sensors, are devices that detect and measure the amount of infrared radiation emitted by objects and living organisms in the form of heat. They are used in a wide range of applications, including search and rescue, agriculture, wildlife conservation, and surveillance. In drones, thermal sensors are a key component that enable them to quickly scan large areas and identify potential threats or locate missing individuals. There are different types of thermal sensors used in drones, including uncooled, cooled, and multispectral sensors, each with their own advantages and ideal applications.
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