Elevating the Future: Unveiling HAVELSAN’s Revolutionary BULUT Drone

Since its initiation in the realm of robotic autonomous systems in 2019, HAVELSAN has developed a platform ecosystem that includes unmanned aerial, ground, and maritime vehicles. The company has now introduced yet another unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crafted specifically for law enforcement professionals.

Following the BAHA UAV, HAVELSAN has designed BULUT, a surveillance and reconnaissance UAV, compliant with the project started under the guidance of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the defined requirements.

After a thorough development process at HAVELSAN’s Robotic Autonomous Systems Center, BULUT successfully met the tests and standards established by the Acceptance Committee, consisting of representatives from end-users and the SSB. As a result, the UAV has been integrated into the fleets of the Turkish Armed Forces and the General Directorate of Security.

Equipped with a combustion engine, BULUT offers a flight duration of six uninterrupted hours while conducting reconnaissance and surveillance tasks autonomously, independent of GNSS.

Designed to operate in light precipitation and flurries, the BULUT UAV system performs effectively in various environmental conditions thanks to its advanced sensors and technology.

Currently operational in the field by security units, BULUT is capable of carrying a payload of 5 kg and transmitting data over distances of up to 80 kilometers.

BULUT employs an electric propulsion system for vertical takeoff and landing, whereas its reconnaissance and surveillance functions are powered by a gasoline-driven internal combustion engine, allowing for extended flight times up to six hours.

Featuring state-of-the-art operational capabilities such as moving object detection and avoidance, collision prevention, and anti-jamming features, BULUT is versatile for varied missions, including border and coastal monitoring, anti-smuggling and counter-terrorism initiatives, law enforcement, narcotics detection, thermal imaging, wildfire response, post-disaster search and rescue, environmental observation, agricultural applications, oil and gas pipeline security, energy infrastructure evaluations, and rescue missions.

BULUT functions entirely autonomously and can take off and land without the need for a runway. It is also fitted with an EO/IR/LRF integrated camera system and possesses handover functionality, enabling mission control transfer between ground stations—a vital asset for security agencies.

Regarding BULUT, HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar stated that they have produced a system that provides tactical advantages in the field, fully in line with the objectives of the Presidency of Defense Industries. He emphasized, “The SSB and our security forces greatly contributed to the creation of our latest UAV, BULUT. The rapid integration of BULUT into inventory and its active deployment in the field are a testament to our team’s quick adaptability to these demands. I commend all participants involved in this initiative.”

HAVELSAN Deputy General Manager for Simulation, Autonomous, and Platform Management Technologies, Muhittin Solmaz, highlighted that BAHA marked the company’s first venture into UAVs, and after three years of advancement, BULUT has significantly improved the capabilities of security forces. “Drawing upon the real-world experiences gained from BAHA, BULUT is poised to be a groundbreaking entity in its sector. We have complete confidence in this,” he noted.

HAVELSAN Product Development and ELD Director Veysel Ataoğlu underscored that BULUT is currently deployed in operational theaters and that the team continually enhances the product based on field feedback. He added, “After the development of BARKAN and BAHA, BULUT has successfully passed various acceptance evaluations by the SSB and security personnel, officially entering the inventory. We are also exploring multiple iterations of BULUT.”