The ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system, developed by ASELSAN, has been integrated into the Mwari multi-role tactical aircraft designed by South Africa's Paramount Aerospace Industries. This integration represents a significant milestone in the international deployment of Turkish defense technology.

The ASELFLIR-500 is an indigenously developed product created by Turkey in response to years of technology restrictions and embargoes on airborne imaging systems. The system combines a mid-wave infrared camera, a daylight camera and a short-wave infrared imaging channel. Weighing approximately 54 kilograms, the system features a laser rangefinder and target designator with an operational range of 35 kilometers. Its artificial intelligence-supported image processing capabilities enable long-range target detection and identification by processing data from multiple optical channels.

The system is equipped with a four-axis gimbal and two-axis optical stabilization system, which minimize the effects of aircraft maneuvering and vibration, enabling operators to maintain stable target observation during missions. The ASELFLIR-500 is designed for both manned and unmanned aerial platforms, offering flexibility across various applications.

The Mwari aircraft features a two-seat configuration with an open architecture and plug-and-play integration approach, allowing it to be configured with different sensors, weapons and mission systems. Powered by a single turboprop engine, the aircraft can carry payloads of up to 1,000 kilograms across six underwing hardpoints. It has a maximum cruise speed of approximately 230 knots, a service ceiling of 21,000 feet and a mission range of roughly 1,150 nautical miles. The aircraft is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, border and coastal security, counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, as well as precision-strike missions.

ASELSAN commenced serial production of the ASELFLIR-500 in 2024. Since then, the system has been integrated into multiple aerial platforms, including the world-renowned Turkish unmanned combat aircraft Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar TB3, and has been exported to more than 20 countries. The combination of Turkey's expertise in electro-optical systems with South Africa's aircraft development capabilities is expected to support ASELSAN's expansion into new export markets while enhancing the Mwari's competitiveness in international sales campaigns.