New Turkish drone ‘Alesta’ ready to fly

Alesta, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Turkey's Nurol BAE Systems Air Systems Inc. (BNA), will soon be ready to join the Turkish security forces' inventory as it goes through the first flight tests. The UAV has been developed as part of efforts, coordinated by Turkey's Defense Industries Presidency (SSB). The SSB aims to develop new tools with different concepts for the security forces. BNA General Manager Eray Gökalp told Anadolu Agency that the four-year-old company closely follows local and international developments in the aviation sector. 'We aim to develop its critical systems, including flight and engine control and fuel systems, from the ground up. We have prepared an engineering road map and are carrying out research and development activities on innovative technologies,' he said. Gökalp said many large companies have developed combat drones in strategic, tactical and attack concepts, but Alesta has a different configuration than other UAVs. 'Keeping the drones stable during the transition mode and under heavy winds presented some serious engineering challenges and needed some clever technological solutions. We have a very experienced staff,' Gökalp noted. Turkey has realized its program of developing and producing drones over a short span of just 10 years. One of the most prominent, the Bayraktar TB2 armed drones, produced by the country's leading unmanned aerial platform developer Baykar, has been operationally used since 2015. They have continued to support Turkey's fight against terrorism in different regions while providing effective surveillance, reconnaissance and fire support. The Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) use of these drones has brought significant successes in its operations in Syria, Iraq and Libya.