Turkish UAV completes testing

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ANKARA, Turkey, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Turkish Aerospace Industries announced its ANKA Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV system has completed acceptance test flights.

The last of more than 130 ground and air tests, performed last week by the unmanned aerial vehicle, were witnessed by representatives of Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defense Industries and the Turkish air force.

The final flight evaluation on Jan. 20 lasted 18 hours and demonstrated the aircraft's endurance, the effectiveness of its 124-mile data link range.

TAI said winds during the testing reached 45 knots per hour.

"During the flight, air traffic control coordination was achieved through on-board radio, which was relayed to GCS (ground control station) over the data link, demonstrating ANKA's capability to operate safely in an airspace managed by ATC," the company said.

"On a separate test flight on January 22nd, night takeoff and landings were demonstrated using Automatic Take-off and Landing System."

The Turkish military and TAI are negotiating a deal for an initial serial production of 10 ANKA systems for the Turkish air force.