Turkish ASELSAN launches "shape-changing" UAVs PHOTO

Turkish ASELSAN’s changing shape unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is being tested and will be shortly mass-produced.

As part of the “changing drone” project, a prototype of a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle was developed and launched from special launch modules on stationary and mobile platforms, Anadolu reports.

The "shape-changing" UAV, which is supported by the Aerospace Research Center İTÜ ARC, was also presented at the world's largest aviation, space and technology festival TEKNOFEST in Istanbul.

Research work on the creation of a “shape-changing” UAV is scheduled to be completed in July, after which the production phase will begin.

As part of the project, an aircraft and a launcher were developed, tests were carried out, as well as successful flight tests. UAVs can be launched from both stationary and mobile platforms.

Since the UAV wings can be folded, this makes it possible to store the drone in large quantities on relatively small platforms.

ASELSAN has developed a system of 5 launchers within the framework of the project, which can be used on mobile vehicles.

The UAV is equipped with 4 cameras and in a short time is able to rise to a height of up to 200 meters. Upon completion of the production stage, the UAV is planned to be used for reconnaissance and surveillance.

Taking off a UAV from a mobile vehicle is of great importance in terms of operational capabilities. This capability ensures the protection of military personnel.

ASELSAN engineers have designed the UAV in such a way that it can take off quickly from moving vehicles.

If this type of UAV is launched from fixed points, it can climb very quickly and transmit images.

The image transmission time of conventional rotary-wing UAVs takes much longer.

It is assumed that the "changing appearance" of the UAV will be used for many military and civilian purposes.