TİTRA has completed the ALPİN-2 Rotor UAV (RUAV) design and is planning a larger version with a 500 kg payload capacity.
Speaking at a press conference, Pasifik Holding CEO Fatih Erdoğan stated that the design work on ALPİN-2 RUAV with cargo sling capability and improved manoeuvrability had been completed, and the production is underway.
The Turkish Army uses ALPİN as a logistics platform. The RUAV will also receive lightweight munitions like CİRİT 70 mm laser-guided missile to perform close air support.
Noting that ALPİN-2 won't be the stop, Erdoğan added that a future version would be capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg, 2.5 times the current ALPİN/ALPİN-2's 200 kg.
This version will likely be the transitioning point to a turboshaft engine that provides a greater power/weight ratio than the piston engine used in current variants.
Thus, a light helicopter with turboshaft engine(s) will likely be the basis for the larger variant, as ALPİN started as a heavy modification of a civilian gasoline engine helicopter.
