Havelsan introduces a new UAV for use by security forces

The Turkish company has now introduced another unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for use by security forces.

Following the BAHA UAV, Havelsan has developed BULUT, a reconnaissance and surveillance UAV, in line with the project initiated under the leadership of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the requirements it defined.

After undergoing development at its Robotic Autonomous Systems Centre for some time, BULUT successfully met the tests and requirements set by the Acceptance Committee, which included representatives from users and the SSB. As a result, the UAV was added to the inventories of the Turkish Armed Forces and the General Directorate of Security.

Equipped with an internal combustion engine, it can stay airborne for six continuous hours and conduct reconnaissance and surveillance independently of GNSS.

Designed to operate under light rain and snowfall, the BULUT UAV system can function in various operational conditions thanks to its advanced sensors and software.

Currently in active use by security forces in operational areas, BULUT has a payload capacity of 5 kg and can share data over a range of up to 80 kilometres.

It also employs an electric motor system for vertical takeoff and landing, while its reconnaissance and surveillance operations are powered by a gasoline internal combustion engine, allowing it to remain airborne for up to six hours.

With advanced operational features such as moving object detection and avoidance, collision prevention, and anti-jamming capabilities, BULUT can be deployed for a wide range of missions, including border and coastal patrol, counter-smuggling and counter-terrorism operations, law enforcement and security tasks, narcotics detection, thermal imaging, wildfire response, post-disaster search and rescue, environmental pollution monitoring, agricultural applications, oil and gas pipeline security, energy infrastructure inspections, and search and rescue operations.

BULUT is fully autonomous and capable of taking off and landing without the need for a runway. It is also equipped with an EO/IR/LRF integrated camera system and features a handover capability, allowing mission control to be transferred between ground control stations—an essential feature for security forces.

Havelsan general manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar said: “The SSB and our security forces played a significant role in the development of our new UAV, BULUT. The primary reason why BULUT quickly entered inventory and is now actively used in the field is our team's rapid response to these expectations. I congratulate everyone involved in the project.”

Havelsan deputy general manager for simulation, autonomous, and platform management technologies, Muhittin Solmaz, added: “BULUT, built upon the field experience of BAHA, will be a game-changer in its category. We wholeheartedly believe in this.”