Turkish firm developing country’s first unmanned helicopter

Turkish engineering company Titra has been picked to receive government subsidies for its ambition to produce the country’s first unmanned helicopter, the Alpin.

The Turkish government has put the program on its “regional priority investment list.” This means the program will be supported by government incentives, according to DefenseNews.

Titra said it will produce 10 Alpins a year, in addition to 250 kamikaze drones.

“The government will be the buyer upon successful field tests, hoping that, once combat-proven, the system will be exported to friendly countries,” one procurement official said.

The long-range Alpin helicopter can be used for both military and civilian purposes as well as for rescue missions. The Alpin’s design is based on the manned Italian Heli-Sport CH-7 ultralight chopper.