TAI Anka-S Armed Drone : Turkish Version of American Predator Drone.

Turkish Aerospace Industry Anka-S UCAV during flight testing. Photo: TAI

China is not the only country who usually make clones of  the famous American Predator armed drone, that's certainly the case with TAI Anka-S armed drone built by Turkish Aerospace Industry for Turkish Armed Forces.

While many countries are developing armed UAV's as per requirement pushed by their respective operators, the developers seems unable to reach to that extent of sophistication and flight performance required to built a drone capable of operating in ever-changing environment fielded by adversary.

Design and developed indigenously by TAI, the Anka-S UAV can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet with a payload of 200 kg on wings for a duration of around 22-24 hours. The Anks-S will likely be armed with indigenous ROKETSAN UMTAX anti-tank missile system developed for TAI T-129 attack helicopter. The satcom-compatible Anka-S features a high-definition day and night vision camera.

Anka-S during testing. Photo Credits: TAI

ANKA-S will feature control over satellite (SATCOM TÜRKSAT 4B), communication relay, cryptographic data link, locally developed flight control computer and high-definition EO/IR cameras. Anks-S armed UAV has a 17 m long wingspan and length at approximately 8 m.

In the meantime, Turkey plans to induct at least 10 of the drones between 2016 and 2018, fulfilling a 2013 contract. The 10 Anka will join at least six other Israeli-built Herons still in operation currently based at Batman airbase in southeast Turkey, less than 90 km from the Syrian border.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), recently in a report said that six Anka-S systems will be delivered to the Turkish military this year. The remaining four systems will be delivered in 2018.

Article © Global Defense Journal.