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TITRA Enhances Türkiye’s Reconnaissance and Strike Power with Dumrul Mini Combat Drone.
The Dumrul Mini UCAV, a combat drone developed by TITRA, is being showcased at the SAHA 2024 defense exhibition, held in Istanbul from October 25 to 28, 2024. This unmanned system, designed for reconnaissance and precision strike missions, is part of the innovative solutions presented by the Turkish company to meet the needs of armed forces.
TITRA Dumrul Mini Combat Drone Designed for Reconnaissance and Strike Missions (Picture source: Army Recognition)
In the constantly evolving landscape of modern warfare, unmanned systems have become essential assets, offering flexibility, precision, and reduced risk to soldiers. The Dumrul Mini UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle), developed by Pasifik Teknoloji, embodies this trend with a design that incorporates advanced technology for various mission profiles. Equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities and technical specifications tailored to the needs of modern military forces, the Dumrul Mini UCAV stands out for its versatility and operational efficiency.
At the heart of the Dumrul Mini UCAV system is its ability to deliver a range of offensive and defensive payloads with precision. Designed to operate effectively in diverse environments, the platform features a service ceiling of 12,000 feet, providing flexibility for both high-altitude surveillance and low-altitude tactical engagements.
With a payload capacity of 8 kg, this UCAV can carry a variety of mission-critical munitions. Key payload options include ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems, dual 81mm mortars, laser-guided mini missiles, and a 40mm rotary gun capable of holding up to six rounds. This range of payloads makes the Dumrul Mini UCAV not only a versatile reconnaissance platform but also a formidable tool in both offensive and defensive roles, capable of responding to various threats.
Two remarkable features of the Dumrul system are its mortar and grenade launcher capabilities, both engineered for precision and efficiency. The 81mm mortar has a total round weight of 1,900 grams and a length of 337mm, filled with 550g of Comp B explosive and supported by a durable composite body. The mortar’s fragmentation capacity – 1,296 fragments – ensures significant impact over a 50m diameter, making it a powerful tool for suppressive fire and area denial. The MKE MOD 128 fuze provides reliable detonation, with specialized UAV ammunition ensuring compatibility with unmanned systems.
Additionally, the 40mm grenade launcher adds further tactical versatility. Capable of firing both 40x46mm and 40x51mm rounds, the launcher operates with a gas recoil system and a rotary cylinder holding six rounds. With a maximum effective range of 800m (using medium-speed ammunition), this launcher is optimized for both close-quarters engagements and long-range attacks, allowing the UCAV to strike targets from a safe distance. Its semi-automatic and manual operation modes, coupled with robust safety features such as a double-sided safety latch and drum locking pin, make the grenade launcher a reliable asset during combat.
Endurance is a crucial factor for any UAV, particularly in tactical scenarios requiring prolonged operation. The Dumrul Mini UCAV boasts an impressive endurance of 30+ minutes per mission, ensuring it can support long-duration engagements and provide continuous overwatch in complex operational environments.
In addition to endurance, the Dumrul system is designed to withstand challenging weather conditions, with wind resistance of 25 knots. This allows the UCAV to operate in environments where other systems might be grounded due to adverse conditions.
One of the defining characteristics of the Dumrul Mini UCAV is its adaptability across a range of missions. The platform’s modular design enables it to switch roles seamlessly, offering ISR capabilities for reconnaissance missions, direct strike capabilities with its mortar and grenade launcher systems, and logistics support with its cargo transport capability. This flexibility makes the Dumrul system a valuable asset in both conventional and asymmetric warfare.
The UCAV’s control radius of 10 km, extendable up to 60 km with additional communication equipment, allows operators to deploy the system deep into hostile territory while maintaining secure control from a safe distance. This extended operational range increases the UCAV’s utility in both urban and rural combat zones, enabling it to engage targets or conduct surveillance far beyond the immediate vicinity of its operators.
The Dumrul UCAV is also a key component of the METE Mission Concept, which integrates unmanned aerial and ground-based systems for synchronized battlefield operations. This concept enhances the Dumrul system’s effectiveness by allowing it to work in conjunction with ground control stations equipped with advanced missile management software, airborne and ground-based designation systems, and laser-guided mini missiles.
Integration with FPV goggles ensures real-time situational awareness for operators, providing them with a direct feed from the UCAV’s sensors, thereby enhancing mission accuracy and decision-making in dynamic combat situations.
TITRA, a Turkish company specializing in technology and defense, has rapidly established itself as a key player in the field of autonomous systems and innovative solutions for armed forces. Its expertise is primarily focused on developing unmanned systems, including drones and autonomous aerial vehicles. Among its notable achievements is the Togan, a tactical drone designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, capable of providing real-time intelligence to forces on the ground. In addition to the Togan, TITRA has also developed other systems such as the METE, a laser-guided mini missile, and missile management solutions tailored for both ground and aerial environments. The company plays a crucial role in modernizing the Turkish armed forces and expanding its influence internationally, leveraging innovation to meet the complex demands of modern conflicts.
The development of the Dumrul Mini UCAV began in the 2010s, a period during which Turkey intensified its efforts to modernize its armed forces, particularly after conflicts in Syria and growing tensions with armed groups in the region. By 2016, the need for autonomous and versatile defense technologies became more pressing as the country faced increasingly complex asymmetric threats. It was in this context that TITRA, an emerging company in the defense technology sector, began designing the Dumrul Mini UCAV. In 2020, Turkey accelerated its drone programs following the successes observed during operations in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, demonstrating the effectiveness of unmanned systems in modern conflicts. Officially launched in 2022, the Dumrul represents the culmination of these efforts, with advanced reconnaissance and strike capabilities, reflecting both the country’s immediate operational needs and its strategic goal to position itself as a major player in drone technology.