Havelsan launches new ISR UAV
Bulut follows Havelsan's Barkan and Baha in joining the inventories of the Turkish Armed Forces. (Photo: Havelsan)
Bulut is a new uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and is the first of a few “different versions” being worked on by the company, building on the launch and operation of its first UAV, Baha.
Turkish firm, Havelsan, has announced the launch of the new Bulut UAV for use on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and in GPS-denied environments.
The new UAV follows-on from its multirole vehicle, Baha, a combustion-powered platform supported by electric motors to enable vertical take-off and landing oeprations. It has now, as reported by Havelsan, been added to the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory alongside that of the country’s General Directorate of Security.
Bulut is likewise equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for take-off and landing. According to the company, it can stay airborne for six hours, has payload capacity of 5kg and can share data up to a range of 80km.
The UAV is also equipped with electro-optical, infrared and laser range-finder integrated camera system and allows for mission control to be transferred between ground controls stations, the company added.
Halvesan is also reportedly working on “different versions” of the Bulut, following its successful test and development of the UAV for ISR missions.
Havelsan general manager, Dr Mehmet Akif Nacar, said: “The SSB [Turkish Defence Industry Agency] and our security forces played a significant role in the development of 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.”
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition]()
New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition
The US$234 million award for 16 Sikorsky UH-60Ms preserves near-term production, but funding uncertainty and an undefinitised contract leave the US Army’s long-term Black Hawk requirements unresolved.
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry]()
Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry
Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
