The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is preparing to showcase its Anka and T-129, the national attack helicopter developed in cooperation with Italians, at a ceremony on June 28.
The ceremony will take place on the anniversary of the approval of the law on the foundation of the company in 1984.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is scheduled to observe the vehicles – as well as the Hürkuş, the first national aircraft – during the showcase, but all depends on Erdoğan’s program, according to sources speaking to the Daily News.
Anka is the first national Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE Type) UAS that Turkey has produced so far. Its roll out ceremony was held two years ago, although Erdoğan missed that event. It made its maiden flight the same year.
Anka’s first prototype will fly in front of the public for the first time at this month’s event. Industrial sources indicate that most UAS projects experience many crashes before reaching a point where they can be demonstrated to the public, but this is a first prototype. The sources have concern for that show day as VIP’s electronic jammers may interfere with the UAS.
The TAI has started the production of 10 Ankas for the armed forces. The first Anka is able to reach an altitude of 20,000 feet, and there are new development projects ongoing to increase this altitude. The UAS will be tested in the southeastern province of Batman before the handover process for armed forces start.
Source: Hurriyet Daily News