TAI Gözcü

The TAI Gözcü is a radio-controlled short-range tactical drone designed and built by Turkish Aerospace Industries and used by the Turkish Armed Forces for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. Its name is the Turkish word for observer. The composite delta-winged aircraft with a V-tail is launched from a catapult, recovered by parachute and driven by a 28 kilowatt Wankel engine in a pusher layout, with a maximum take-off weight of 85 kilograms and a maximum speed of 170 kilometres per hour. It carries an electro-optical and infrared sensor and sends real-time video to a range of up to 50 kilometres. The maiden flight took place on 6 March 2007, the prototype was shown at the IDEF defence fair that May, and the drone was presented at a military exercise for the first time during EFES-2010.