The Turkish Under-secretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM) has signed an agreement with local producer Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for 10 ANKA unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to a statement from the SSM Sunday, October 27, the agreement was signed on October 25 and the vehicles and their ground control systems will be delivered between 2012 and 2018. “In the framework of our project to take the utmost advantage of local opportunities, TAI, as the main contractor, will employ the services of many Turkish firms,” the statement said.
The ANKA, a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) class UAV, is used by the armed forces for reconnaissance, observation and targeting. The UAV is designed to fly at an altitude of 30,000 feet for 24 hours. ANKA has a wingspan of 17.3 meters and is powered by a diesel engine rated at 155-hp, It’s eight meter long fuselage is made of composite materials.
Anka uses the locally developed ASELFLIR 300T payload developed by Aselsan. This payload includes a multi-sensor electro-optical system comprising a day TV, and Thermal Camera (IR-Infrared) / Laser Range Finder / Laser Designator (LRF/LD) and Laser Spotter. The Anka also carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar / Moving Target Indicator (SAR/MTI) which also supports with Inverse SAR ISAR operating mode for maritime missions.
