Page 11 - SAHA EXPO 2024 - DAY 3

Baykar’s Drone Displays Include The Baykar BG-160 Electro-Optical System
and its thermal imaging capability helps the
Tactical UAV Bayraktar Kalkan VTOL to capture high-resolution images at
night. The indigenous VTOL, which has a
wingspan of 5 metres and is 1.9 metre long,
can successfully carry out reconnaissance,
surveillance and target detection tasks day
and night.

Kalkan is powered by 4 electric motors
and 1 low -consumption indigenous petrol
engine. The VTOL takes off vertically with
its electric motors and proceeds to use its
petrol engine exclusively in the cruise flight
mode. The aircraft can remain airborne for
more than seven hours. Capable of vertical
take-off and landing, the indigenous VTOL
does not require a runway and can seam-
lessly perform mission flights in base areas
Bayraktar Kalkan VTOL, developed indige- to the company, the VTOL has a service and on floating platforms.
nously by Turkish defence company Baykar, ceiling of 14,000 feet and an operational
is on display at the company’s booth. In altitude of 8,000 feet. The payload capac- The drone, unveiled in April this year when
April this year, the company announced ity is 3 kg while its endurance is 6 hours. Selçuk Bayraktar, the company’s Deputy
that the drone had successfully completed Kalkan’s cruise and maximum speeds are General Manager in Charge of Technology,
a series of system identification tests during 50 KTAS and 65 KTAS respectively. shared footage of its test flight, took part
its 24th flight. in the Ephesus Military Exercise earlier
Capable of automatic route tracking, tar- this year, a biennial exercise of the Turkish
The Mini Tactical UAV class aircraft, which get tracking, circling and returning home, Armed Forces that also involves military
has the ability to participate in reconnais- Kalkan performed its flight test with the units from various allied countries. Kalkan
sance and surveillance missions, climbed to Baykar BG-160 camera, which has also been is expected to enter mass production by
14.500 feet during the test flight. According developed indigenously by the company. the end of the year.

Türkiye Eager to Push Forward with Steel Dome Project

Just months after Türkiye announced plans
for the “Steel Dome Project,” an indigenous
multilayered air defence system that would
provide a protective shield over large areas
of land, major companies involved with the
project have initiated steps to kickstart the
major program.
A US$1 billion cooperation agreement
would be made with groups comprising
the country’s indigenous defence indus-
try manufacturers for the project, Aselsan
General Manager Ahmet Akyol said during
the ongoing event. The plan is to integrate
air defence and protection systems that TÜBITAK Defense Industries Research and this, Roketsan, Aselsan and other subcon-
homegrown companies have developed Development Institute (SAGE); and Machine tractor companies are working together.
separately over the years and use them and Chemical Industry (MKE), which produc- When the system integrations become
together as a cohesive network-centric and es small arms, artillery and ammunition, all flawless, the steel dome will also become
AI-supported shield. The planned introduc- play a key role in the project. flawless.”
tion of the system assumes key importance
because of increasing geopolitical tensions “The Steel Dome is essentially a system The project will integrate multiple layers of
in the Middle East and ongoing conflicts in where munitions communicate with each domestic air defence systems, sensors, and
the region. other. We have already developed many air weapons under a unified network structure.
defence systems,” said Roketsan Chairman Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Secretary of Defence
Aselsan, defence electronics manufac- of the Board Prof. Dr. Faruk Yiğit. “In order Industries of Türkiye, is optimistic about the
turer, is leading the development of the for the Steel Dome to work uniquely and Steel Dome project being highly beneficial
Steel Dome. Roketsan, manufacturer of usefully, the system components must be for Türkiye, enhancing both its national
unguided rockets and guided missiles, able to work in an integrated manner. For security and technological standing.

SAHA EXPO 2024 OCTOBER-24-2024 11