Soaring Innovations: Introducing HAVELSAN’s BULUT UAV

Since its entry into the domain of robotic autonomous systems in 2019, HAVELSAN has established a platform ecosystem encompassing unmanned aerial, terrestrial, and maritime vehicles. The firm has now unveiled yet another unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tailored for security personnel.

Following the BAHA UAV, HAVELSAN has crafted BULUT, a surveillance and reconnaissance UAV, aligned with the project commenced under the direction of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the specified requirements.

After an extensive development phase at HAVELSAN’s Robotic Autonomous Systems Center, BULUT successfully fulfilled the tests and criteria set forth by the Acceptance Committee, comprising representatives from end-users and the SSB. Consequently, the UAV has been incorporated into the inventories of the Turkish Armed Forces and the General Directorate of Security.

Outfitted with an internal combustion engine, BULUT boasts a flight endurance of six continuous hours while performing reconnaissance and surveillance autonomously, not reliant on GNSS.

Engineered to function in light rain and snowfall, the BULUT UAV system is capable of operating under diverse environmental conditions owing to its sophisticated sensors and software.

Now actively utilized by security forces in operational theaters, BULUT can carry a payload of 5 kg and transmit data over distances of up to 80 kilometers.

BULUT utilizes an electric propulsion system for vertical takeoff and landing, while its reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities are driven by a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine, enabling prolonged flight durations of up to six hours.

With cutting-edge operational features such as moving object detection and avoidance, collision prevention, and anti-jamming technology, BULUT is adaptable for a variety of missions, including border and coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling and counter-terrorism efforts, law enforcement and security operations, narcotics detection, thermal imaging, wildfire response, post-disaster search and rescue, environmental monitoring, agricultural use, oil and gas pipeline protection, energy infrastructure assessments, and search and rescue missions.

BULUT operates entirely autonomously and can take off and land without the necessity of a runway. It is also equipped with an EO/IR/LRF integrated camera system and features a handover capability, enabling mission control transfer between ground control stations—a crucial asset for security agencies.

Commenting on BULUT, HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar remarked that they have created a system that delivers tactical advantages in the field, fully in line with the aspirations of the Presidency of Defense Industries. He stressed, “The SSB and our security forces significantly contributed to the development of our latest UAV, BULUT. The swift integration of BULUT into inventory and its active deployment in the field can be attributed to our team’s prompt adaptation to these expectations. I commend everyone involved in this endeavor.”

HAVELSAN Deputy General Manager for Simulation, Autonomous, and Platform Management Technologies, Muhittin Solmaz, pointed out that BAHA represented the company’s initial foray into UAVs, and after three years of development, BULUT has substantially enhanced the capabilities of security forces. “Built upon the real-world insights gained from BAHA, BULUT is destined to be a transformative force in its category. We have complete faith in this,” he noted.

HAVELSAN Product Development and ELD Director Veysel Ataoğlu emphasized that BULUT is currently deployed in operational areas and that the team persistently refines the product based on field insights. He added, “Following the development of BARKAN and BAHA, BULUT has successfully completed various acceptance assessments by the SSB and security personnel, officially becoming part of the inventory. We are also exploring different iterations of BULUT.”