Turkish aircraft firm sets sights on supersonic UAV

By Gokhan Ergocun and Goksel Yildirim</p> <p>ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) has a 380-kph capacity unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the works, according to its CEO.</p> <p>TAI, which introduced the new Aksungur 180-kph UAV at last week’s International Defense Industry Expo (IDEF'19) in Istanbul, is working on a supersonic UAV called Goksungur, Temel Kotil told Anadolu Agency.</p> <p>Kotil said: &quot;TAI created the twin-engine-powered Aksungur in just 18 months.&quot;</p> <p>TAI manufactured two Aksungurs for test flights and will deliver them this year to the Turkish Armed Forces, he added.</p> <p>After completion of the Aksungur this year, TAI will start work on the Goksungur, he said.</p> <p>In Turkish, Aksungur means gyrfalcon, and Goksungur means peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird.</p> <p>He highlighted that Aksungur has a 750-kg carrying capacity, a sharp upgrade from the 200-kg capacity of the earlier model.</p> <p>&quot;We produce components for aviation giant such as Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing, and have annual exports totaling $500 million,&quot; Kotil said.</p> <p>He added that in 2019, TAI’s product range will help it reach $2.6 billion in turnover.</p> <p>TAI produces UAVs, communication satellite, planes, helicopters and components, and also works on modernizing projects.</p> <p>Kotil said TAI currently employs 3,600 engineers, a number set to climb to 4,600 later this year.</p> <p><br>