Indigenous Target Drone "Turna" Successfully Realized Its First Flight

Turkish Aerospace Industries, The Target Drone “Turna,” which was developed by Turkey’s aerospace center Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI), realized its first test flight with the turboprop engine, which was developed by Turkish Engine Industries Inc. (TEI), which designs, develops and manufactures engines for air platforms in Turkey, on April 4, 2008. 
 
Under the Collaboration Agreement signed between TAI and TEI on September 11, 2008, regarding the intention to provide the maximum local benefit in order to initiate the model for “local platform-local engine”, the indigenous Target Drone System, which was indigenous, except its engine, acquired a complete “national product identity” with the integration of the turboprop engine developed by TEI. 
 
Following the safety tests, the turboprop engine, which has 90 libre propulsion power and 6500 maximum propeller speed, is foreseen to be the standard engine for the first national air platform “Turna” in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces. Turna, which is being used for the training of air defense forces since 2001, has successfully realized over hundreds of flights. 
 
The indigenous and national solution, realized by TAI and TEI, binding their experiences in the field of aviation, is an important milestone to reach the objective of meeting the requirements locally by creating indigenous solutions. 
 
TURNA/G – TAI’s Indigenous Target Drone System 
 
Being a Design and Development program, the TURNA Target Drone Systems program was initiated in 1995 to meet the increasing training needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). Indigenously designed and produced TURNAs, which entered the inventory of TAF in 2001, are being actively used in training of defense units. 
 
The TURNA Target Drone System can be used as a training platform for conservation and improvement of defense capabilities against air threats. The highly cost-effective system, which has as open architecture design that can be shaped in accordance with the needs of the customer, has proven its effectiveness during real firing missions at operational areas with its distinctive simulation of air threats and missiles capability; high maneuverability; high speed; ease of use; low mission risk and modularity.