Rahul Sharma (Editor)

TAI Baykuş

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Top speed
  
200 km/h

Length
  
6 m

Wingspan
  
7 m

Manufacturer
  
Turkish Aerospace Industries

TAI Baykuş is a radio-controlled tactical unmanned drone designed, developed and built by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) between 2003-2004.

Contents

Baykuş is the Turkish word for "owl". TAI produces other UAVs named after birds.

Development

The UAV was developed based on the experience gained by its half-sized model TAI Pelikan.

The shoulder-winged UAV has all composite material airframe with metal twin tail booms. The drone is propelled by two 2-cylinder 2-stroke gasoline engines of type JPX DC320 from France with 2 x 20 hp (15 kW) power. There exist two versions of TAI Baykuş related to propeller configuration, a pusher and a tractor aircraft.

The drone carries a two-axis gimbaled EO/IR camera, which relays its video in real-time telemetry. Its guidance/tracking takes place fully autonomous based on INS/GPS integrated waypoint navigation system. Take off and landing of the drone is accomplished in conventional way on wheels.

Specifications

Data from TR Defence

General characteristics

  • Crew: 0
  • Length: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 7 m (23 ft 0 in)
  • Empty weight: 100 kg (220 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × JPX DC320 2-cylinder two-stroke engine

    • Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph; 108 kn)
  • Endurance: 12 hr
  • Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,100 ft)

    • References

    TAI Baykuş Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA