The contribution of Turkish companies to the Defense Industry is increasing. Thanks to air, land and sea vehicles developed with domestic means, foreign dependency (except for joint projects) decreases. In addition, the sector is growing steadily, thanks to companies that show export success.
Such that, armored tracked and rubberized vehicles, especially UAVs and SİHAs, and shipbuilding have reached the level to compete with China, Russia and the USA. However, since each of them is not featured in the press, its awareness may be low compared to its importance. The first of these is the Karayel SİHA, a production of Lentatek (the new name of Vestel Defense). Here are Karayel features…
Lentatek Karayel SİHA showed up in the EFES 2022 exercise!
Lentatek was known as Vestel Defense before the name change. Among its most important products is Karayel, which was produced in 2013. Developed in accordance with NATO standards, more than 10 of this aviator have been produced so far.
As far as is known, Karayel, which has been used operationally since 2015, received its first international order from Saudi Arabia. According to the agreement, a total of 40 SİHAs will be sold between 2021-2025. Although its number is unknown, it is known that it is currently actively used by the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces.
More dangerous now: ammunition developed for SİHAs has entered mass production!
A new ammunition specially developed for the SİHAs used by Turkey has entered mass production. Here are the BOZOK features…
In addition, there is a ground control station and ground data terminal. In other words, its working principle is quite similar to Bayraktar TB2 and ANKA. In addition, the model exhibited in the EFES 2022 exercise had SATCOM, that is, satellite communication and control.
In addition, we see that Karayel has developed over the years. For example, according to the terms of the agreement with Saudi Arabia, it was required to have a ceiling altitude of 18 thousand feet, a useful load carrying capacity of 35 kg and a minimum stay in the air of 8 hours.
However, at the point reached today, it can reach an altitude of 22,500 feet. In addition, it has surpassed the minimum flight time of 8 hours. It can stay in the air for 20 hours without ammunition, 12 hours with a 60 kg load, and 8 hours with a 120 kg load.
Karayel UAV features
| Motor power | 1×97 HP |
| Maximum take-off weight | 630 kg |
| wingspan | 13 m |
| total length | 6.5m |
| Height | 2.11m |
| Wing payload | 120 kg |
| Body payload | |
| flight speed | 60-80 knots – 150 km/h |
| Climb rate | 800 m/s |
| operational altitude | |
| Data Link range | > 150 km / unlimited with SATCOM |
| landing distance | < 750 m |
| hover | 20 hours without ammunition 12 hours with 60 kg load 8 hours with 120 kg load |
| navigation | Fully autonomous or manual Color day camera IR night camera laser range finder, target marker |
| Other features | Lightning protection, De-icing, 3 redundant avionics, Fully autonomous takeoff/flight/landing |
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