Turkish armed forces take delivery of two TAI Anka-S UAVs.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has delivered two Anka-S UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to the Turkish Armed Forces after acceptances tests. The TAI Anka is a family of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries for the requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Anka UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Picture source Wikipedia)

In 2013, the Turkish government signed a contract with aerospace specialist Tusas Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for an order of 10 ANKAs and ground stations. Under the deal, the first serial production was scheduled to be delivered between 2016 and 2018.

The Anka is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system, primarily designed to perform reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The Anka was unveiled in July 2010 during the Farnborough Air Show in United Kingdom.

The Anka UAV is powered by a diesel engine rated at 155-hp. The propulsion is provided by a three-blade constant speed propeller. It can fly at an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,200 m) for 24 hours.

The ANKA-S is the serial production variant of ANKA. This variant is equipped with ViaSat's VR-18C Highpower SATCOM antenna and indigenous flight control computer. Like ANKA Block A and ANKA Block B, ANKA-S will be powered by Thielert Centurion 2.0S. However Turkish Engine Industries (TEI) is developing a national engine for the ANKA that can operate with diesel and JP-8 jet fuel.