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Turkey flies own MALE drone

QADIMA, Israel, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Turkey has conducted its first test flight of a locally made medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle.

The Anka is Turkey's first entry into the MALE system category, Defense Update said.

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Previously Turkish industry produced only the smaller unmanned aerial systems.

Defense Update, an Israeli publication, said the new UAV is designed to fly at an altitude of 23,000 feet for 23 hours. It has a wingspan of 56.8 feet and is powered by a diesel engine rated at 155 horsepower.

Anka uses the ASELFLIR 300T payload developed by Aselsan, a Turkish company. This payload includes a multi-sensor, electro-optical system, comprising a day TV, and Thermal Camera/ Laser Range Finder / Laser Designator and Laser Spotter.

Turkey aims at gaining self sufficiency in unmanned systems, Defense Update reported.

The Turkish military was introduced to unmanned aerial systems through UAVs leased from Israel and the procurement of Israeli IAI Heron UAVs.

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