Vestel Defence blazed a trail with Karayel
Karayel, the first tactical UAV of Turkey, successfully completed its test flight it conducted with “useful load”
Vestel Defence achieved another first with Karayel Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Karayel has become the pride of Turkish Defence and Aviation Industry as the first tactical UAV, ready for use and to be taken in inventory by Turkish Armed Forces after it successfully completed the test flight with “useful load”*, the most important step in testing.
Karayel is the first domestic tactical unmanned aerial vehicle that is developed completely originally with national sources by Vestel Defence Industry, and it successfully completed its first flight that was conducted with its useful load, an electro-optical camera that enables Karayel to fulfill its main objective; the capability for reconnaissance and surveillance. Following the integration of the camera to Karayel and engineering works, Karayel exhibited a thorough performance with its 51 kg camera and proved that it is ready for use before delivery.
Karayel is the first and only UAV that is compatible with NATO Airworthiness Standard 4671, and furthermore it creates a difference with the useful load it carries. The mentioned useful load is at a much higher category with its features and performance in comparison to the useful loads that are planned to be used in Turkey which have not yet been integrated or made ready to use. Vestel Defence contributes in Turkey's rising to the upper levels in global UAV league with Karayel.
General Manager of Vestel Defence Aziz Sipahi said that the responsibility of procuring and integrating 4 useful loads to the Karayel UAV system, composed of 6 aircrafts, according to the contract that was signed with the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries and came to effect in early 2011. Sipahi further said the following:
“Vestel assumed this responsibility and began the process of procuring the world's most advanced electro-optical camera for the Karayel Tactical System on behalf of Turkey. The most significant aspect of the camera that was demanded by Vestel is its capability to convey the targeted object with a very good sharpness after making a target marking with a very sensitive laser at a high altitude. This feature is crucial for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, which are produced for the purposes of reconnaissance and surveillance, and a camera with this feature will perform its true mission on KARAYEL for the first time in the Turkish Defense and Aviation Industry. This achievement also shows how important for us as Turkey to reduce our external dependence, and makes us hopeful about the future on this subject as we achieved the highest domestic level in KARAYEL.”
Vestel is offering a more advanced version in comparison to the technical requirements of the project that targeted climbing to an altitude of 18,000 feet, carrying a useful load that has a weight of up to 36 kg, and a minimum of 10 hours flights. Being superior, this version can climb up to 22,500 feet, carry 70 kg of useful load, and maintain a 20 hour flight time.
The features of the Karayel Camera System (useful load)
The camera system that Karayel carries in accordance with its objective of conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions has the capability of target acquisition and guiding the laser-guided ammunition through the designating system it contains.
EO-Daytime Camera (HD) – up to X50 optic zoom
Night-time (IR) Camera (HD) – up to X50 optic zoom
Laser range-finder
Laser target guidance
Laser designator
Total weight: 51kg
* Useful Load: is the weight capacity unmanned aerial vehicles carry depending on their mission objectives. The useful load can be a camera, ammunition, or SAR.
For more information:
Grup 7 İletişim Danışmanlığı
Gülizar Akbulut
Tel: 0212 292 13 13 / 0532 710 65 77
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