Turkey Advances UAV Capabilities with MURAD Radar Integration
Successful flight tests enhance reconnaissance, targeting, and combat effectiveness of Turkish drones and fighter jets
Photo: Baykar website
The radar, which operates using AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology, was integrated into the Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as well as an F-16 fighter jet that had been upgraded by the Turkish aerospace industry under the OZGUR project.
According to a report by Defense Post, a test flight of the radar integrated into the Akıncı UAV was conducted this week. Similar tests had previously been carried out on an OZGUR-model F-16 fighter jet, which features Turkish-made avionics and weapon systems. The tests aim to evaluate the radar’s performance in various combat scenarios and assess its ability to detect and track aerial and ground targets under operational conditions.
Turkish Defense Minister Haluk Görgün commented on the successful test, emphasizing that integrating the electronic radar into the country's UAV systems marks a significant step in the development of the local defense industry. “Our UAVs now have sharper vision and enhanced mission capabilities,” he stated.
The MURAD radar is based on advanced mobile antenna array technology, eliminating the need for a rotating antenna to receive signals. This enables fast and advanced scanning capabilities, allowing simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple targets. One of the radar’s key features is its ability to provide a tactical advantage in air combat, including target identification and engagement at beyond-visual-range distances, even in the presence of electronic warfare measures designed to disrupt radar signals.
Integrating the electronic radar system into the Akıncı UAV grants Turkish unmanned aerial systems enhanced operational capabilities, significantly improving target acquisition and threat identification. This technology provides the Turkish Air Force with a competitive edge in modern battlefields, where rapid response and precision in target detection are critical.
This advancement represents another milestone in the expansion of Turkey’s defense industry, which continues to develop and integrate cutting-edge technologies into both manned and unmanned aircraft, aiming to strengthen the Turkish military’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
