Turkey’s defense technology company HAVELSAN has introduced its latest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), BULUT, designed to serve both military and civilian purposes. Developed under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), BULUT marks a new milestone in Turkey’s autonomous systems ecosystem, reflecting HAVELSAN’s growing expertise in robotic and AI-based technologies.

Since entering the field of robotic autonomous systems in 2019, HAVELSAN has built a comprehensive multi-platform network including unmanned air, land, and sea systems. Leveraging the experience gained from its earlier UAV project BAHA, the company successfully completed the development and testing phases of BULUT. The UAV has now officially been inducted into the inventories of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the General Directorate of Security (EGM) after passing all acceptance and performance evaluations.

Powered by an internal combustion engine, BULUT can remain airborne for up to 6 continuous hours and conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions independently of GNSS signals. Its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability allows it to operate from confined or unprepared areas, eliminating the need for a runway. The UAV features a 5 kg payload capacity, 80 km communication range, and a dual-engine system—using electric motors for takeoff and landing, and a gasoline engine for long-endurance flight efficiency.

BULUT also boasts cutting-edge operational capabilities, including collision avoidance, moving object detection, and anti-jamming systems, enabling reliable performance even under intense electronic warfare conditions. The platform can be deployed in border surveillance, counterterrorism, anti-smuggling, disaster response, wildfire monitoring, energy infrastructure inspection, environmental control, and search-and-rescue operations. Its handover feature allows mission control to be seamlessly transferred between ground stations during flight, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

HAVELSAN General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar emphasized that BULUT provides operational superiority in the field, stating, “The rapid integration of BULUT into active use reflects our team’s ability to meet SSB’s requirements swiftly and effectively.” Deputy General Manager for Simulation, Autonomous, and Platform Management Technologies Muhittin Solmaz noted that experience from the BAHA UAV directly contributed to BULUT’s design, adding, “This system will be a game changer in its class.”

As HAVELSAN continues to enhance BULUT through field feedback and develop new variants, the company’s advances in autonomous aviation are expected to further strengthen Turkey’s position in global UAV technology.