Ground tests for Alesta have come to an end. Flight tests are expected to take place in the first weeks of August.
Flight tests for the Alesta unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Nurol BAE Systems Air Systems Inc. (BNA) are one step closer. Performing both as a rotating wing and a fixed wing, Alesta was developed by Turkish engineers.
The project, coordinated by the Presidency Defense Industry Presidency (SSB), continues unabated. Nurol BAE Systems Hava Sistemleri AŞ has come to an end in ground tests for Alesta, whose prototype has been studied for some time. Flight tests are expected to take place in the first weeks of August. If the current configuration is requested, it is planned to be put into service by the end of the year at the latest.
"We, as a team, closely follow the developments in the aviation sector in our country and in the world, and aim to include them in our country's capabilities by investing in new technologies that we think will be useful and make a difference in the future," said Eray Gökalp, BNA General Manager. said.
Continuing his speech, Gökalp said, “The main goal of our company is to develop systems that will cause fatal accidents in any malfunction or loss at the system level - what we describe as 'flight safety critical'. Among them, we can count flight control systems, engine control systems and fuel systems. Especially MMU (National Combat Aircraft), Hürjet aircraft, and our unique helicopter programs are in our target area. Besides, we are carrying out R&D activities on innovative technologies in the future. ” found comments.
Alesta UAV
The difference of Alesta from other UAVs is that it has a rotating winged structure. Alesta, which has the ability to land and take off vertically, shows a fixed wing characteristic in straight flight. The biggest advantage that distinguishes Alesta from its competitors is that it includes a combination that allows using fixed wing or rotary wing modes where necessary.
Alesta, which does not need a runway for take-off, can land and take off from any surface. With a range of 20 km and a speed of around 120 km / h, Alesta can fly in fixed wing mode. zamIt can fly at longer distances compared to the rotary wing mode.
BNA General Manager Gökalp said, “This is a particularly difficult problem. Because what we call transition modes, for example, in the modes where the wing changes from vertical mode to horizontal mode and under strong winds, to be able to balance the plane and maintain that balance really requires very serious engineering accumulation. We have a very important staff with an average of 16 years of experience in our company. As a result of their abilities, we were able to reach these levels. ” He made statements in the form.
Having an environmentally friendly engine and propulsion system, Alesta is powered by electricity and can perform all tasks defined as fully autonomous. The company aims to release both manned and unmanned and larger models of Alesta in the future. In order to overcome the flight restrictions of UAVs in residential areas, the development of both manned and unmanned models is planned to be shared with the public in the future.
BAE Systems was interested and offered to work together on marketing in the UK. In this way, it is thought to enable sales in Europe.
Gökalp also said that there are few companies developing rotary wing UAVs worldwide. Therefore, it is expected by BNA to be a very serious market for Alesta worldwide, including abroad.
Source: defanceturk
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