TAI Baykuş

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

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

Specifications

Data from TR Defence^[1]

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 (15,092 ft)

References