STM’s TURUL VTOL UAV Demonstrates Advanced Capabilities in Ongoing Test Campaign

Ankara, Turkey – STM Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. (STM), a prominent player in Turkey’s defense and technology sector, continues to advance its indigenous unmanned aerial systems portfolio with the rigorous flight testing of its next-generation Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), TURUL. Named after a mythical raptor symbolizing power and sovereignty in Turkish mythology, TURUL is poised to become a critical asset for modern operational environments.

Unveiled initially at IDEF-2025, the STM VTOL UAV TURUL is successfully navigating through its field testing phases, showcasing a robust suite of autonomous capabilities. Recent footage from the test range highlights TURUL’s proficiency in tracking both stationary and mobile targets, executing night operations, and performing QR code-based precision landings. These demonstrations underscore the platform’s advanced navigation and targeting systems.

TURUL is specifically optimized for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, designed to offer a significant edge in below-cloud operations. Its VTOL capability liberates it from the necessity of conventional runway infrastructure, allowing deployment from a multitude of locations, including naval platforms and unprepared land sites. This flexibility is crucial for operations in challenging or remote terrains.

Commenting on the ongoing success of the test program, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz emphasized TURUL’s strategic relevance in contemporary defense doctrines. “In today’s defense ecosystem, the speed and security with which platforms process field data are as critical as their flight capabilities,” Güleryüz stated. “We have engineered a solution that marries the extended operational range of fixed-wing UAVs with the tactical flexibility of vertical take-off and landing. TURUL ensures continuous intelligence gathering, even under adverse weather conditions or at high altitudes, thanks to its exceptional below-cloud operational capacity and robust electronic warfare resilience, powered by indigenous software. This system represents another step towards our vision of complete independence in critical defense applications, from border security to strategic asset protection.”

The integration of QR code-based landing markers combined with millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar support enables TURUL to execute autonomous landings with millimeter-level accuracy at predefined coordinates. With an endurance exceeding two hours and an operational range of 200 kilometers, TURUL provides comprehensive end-to-end solutions for tactical reconnaissance, area surveillance, and target acquisition tasks.

Equipped with integrated Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) imaging systems, TURUL is capable of conducting missions day and night. Its design prioritizes ease of deployment, allowing a single operator to prepare the system for operation in a short timeframe. Beyond its primary ISR role, TURUL’s impressive endurance and substantial payload capacity enable it to perform diverse tasks such as munition deployment and surface mine countermeasures, offering a versatile capability for both military and civil applications.

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