TAI Aksungur
Turkish Aerospace Industries · Turkey · first flew 2019 · reconnaissance aircraft
The TAI Aksungur is a twin-engine medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries for ISR and strike missions. Its high-aspect-ratio straight wings give it exceptional loiter capability.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-turboprop MALE UAV with long straight wings
- Unmanned — 0 crew
- Turkish-built successor to Anka series with greater endurance
Distinguished by twin turboprop engines on a high-mounted straight wing, a twin-boom tail arrangement, and a prominent sensor ball under the nose.
Specifications
- The TAI Aksungur has a length of 12 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 24 m (79 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Aksungur flew for the first time in 2019 as a larger, heavier-lift follow-on to the Anka UAV family. Development was driven by Turkish military requirements for a domestic MALE platform capable of carrying heavier sensor and weapon loads over extended missions.
Variants
The baseline Aksungur is optimised for ISR and maritime patrol; an armed variant capable of carrying laser-guided munitions has been demonstrated and is in service with the Turkish Navy and Air Force.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Turkish Armed Forces, Aksungur has conducted maritime patrol sorties over the Aegean and Mediterranean and has been exported to limited partner nations.
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