Vestel Karayel

History of Vestel Karayel

Vestel Karayel is a versatile Turkish military drone used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It's also adaptable for non-military purposes, such as humanitarian and industrial applications. The drone is in active service with the Turkish and Saudi Arabian armed forces, with the former operating around 10 drones and the latter utilizing at least 6 units.

This drone, with a history dating back to its first flight in 2014, is known for its adaptability and has undergone thousands of flight hours in various operational settings. It can be swiftly deployed, is user-friendly, and offers a cost-effective solution for budget-conscious customers. Its advanced features include sensors for target designation, infrared vision, and satellite navigation.

The Karayel drone is designed for safety with triple redundancy and protection against lightning and ice. It can operate in challenging conditions and is resistant to interference with its navigation systems. With a conventional design, the drone has a length of about 21 feet, a height of 8 feet, and a wingspan of 42.65 feet. Its performance includes a top speed of 92 mph, a 20-hour endurance, and the capability to operate at altitudes between 18,000 and 22,500 feet. Additionally, a variant called "Karayel-SU" offers improved stability and the ability to carry weapons for precision strikes, making it a versatile and resilient option in the field of intelligence and surveillance solutions.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 2015

Origins: Turkey

Status: Active.

Crew: 0

Production: 15

Manufacturer: Lentatek Turkey / INTRA Defense Technologies, Ltd Saudi Arabia

Operator: Saudi Arabia; Turkey

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Close Air Support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Unmanned ability

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Notable Features

Radar Capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Seaport

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

No action

The design features the ability to fly without a pilot, with actions controlled by onboard programming and/or ground operators.

Autonomous operation

The design features autonomous flight operations through artificial intelligence or onboard pre-programming.

Camera equipment

Payload supports photographic devices that provide still and/or live image/video results.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 21.3 feet (6.50m)

Width/span: 42.7 feet (13.00m)

Height: 8 feet (2.45m)

Cured weight: 1,047 lbs (475kg)

MTOW: 1,235 lbs (560kg)

Wgt Difference: +187 lbs (+85kg)

Main Program Structure

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Shoulder Strap

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

Line

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Power and performance

Installed: 1 x air-cooled 97 hp 4 stroke boxer engine driving a twin blade nose mounted propeller unit.

Maximum speed: 93 km/h (150 km/h | 81 kn)

Cruising speed: 71 km/h (115 km/h | 62 knots)

Maximum speed difference: +22 km/h (+35 km/h | 19 kn)

Maximum: 22,638 feet (6,900 m | 4 km)

Area: 2,255 km | 4,176nm

Armor

When armed, supported types include general precision-guided munitions such as missiles, bombs, rockets, and mortars. If required, equipment pods can also be equipped for special missions.