Turkish engineering company Titra begins production of the country’s first unmanned Alpine helicopter. The production program will be supported by the country’s government and government incentives. Titra says it will produce 10 Alpines a year, in addition to 250 kamikaze drones.

“After successful field tests, the government will be the buyer and after the tests, the system will also be exported to friendly countries”said the purchasing agent.

The long-range Alpin helicopter can be used for both military and civilian purposes, as well as for rescue operations.

The development of the aircraft began in 2019 when Titra signed an agreement with UAVOS, an American specialist in drones. Under the deal, Titra and UAVOS converted the CH-7s into unmanned, dual-purpose rotorcraft. Alpin made its first flight in 2020.

The helicopter is 7 m long, 1.5 m wide, 2.35 m high and has a 6.28 m propeller diameter, has a dead weight of 340 kg and can be easily transported in a car. An unmanned helicopter can carry a maximum payload of 200 kg, including fuel.

Alpin’s unmanned helicopter can carry multiple payloads and transmit information to operators in real time. It is equipped with a broadband satellite communication channel that supports working in remote areas.

Other features of Alpin include a fully redundant onboard autopilot system, a fully autonomous takeoff and landing system, remote ground control network capability, autorotation landing capability and highly efficient flight control.

Its high-sensitivity payload includes hyperspectral synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and electron optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras.

The Alpin is equipped with a 115 hp Rotax 914 UL engine. The maximum cruising speed is 160 km/h.

With a maximum flight range of 840 km, Alpin can fly up to an altitude of 5,000 m. With a full charge, its maximum endurance is 7 or two hours.