TAI Gözcü

TAI Gözcü from Turkey, produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries

Introduce:

TAI Gözcü is a radio-controlled short-range tactical drone. Designed, developed and built by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is in use by the Turkish Armed Forcesfor intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance purposes. Gözcü is the Turkish word for observer.

Built of composite material, the drone is launched from a catapult, and is recovered by parachute. It has 85 kg (187 lb) max. takeoff weight and can reach an altitude of 12,000 ft (3,700 m). Having 8 kg (18 lb) max. payload capacity, TIA Gözcü carries EO/IR sensor, and transfers real-time video imagery in a range up to 50 km (31 mi). It has waypoint navigation and autonomous flight capabilities.

The UAV with delta wings and V-tail is propelled by a rotary engine in pusher configuration having 38 hp (28 kW), and can cruise with a max. speed of 90 kn (170 km/h). Its endurance is over 120 minutes.