A Turkish drone found the crashed helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi in the mountains of East Azerbaijan, Iran. The drone’s flight path then drew a crescent, visible on flight tracking websites, reports NDTV.
The Crash
President Raisi and Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were on board the Bell 212 Helicopter when it crashed in the Jolfa mountains. The helicopter navigated through dense fog and harsh weather conditions before crashing just a few minutes after takeoff.
Massive Search Operation
The crash triggered a massive search operation with Turkey, Iraq, and Azerbaijan offering assistance. The Turkish Bayraktar Akinci drone, call sign AKINCI01, located the wreckage by detecting heat signatures in north Iran, near the Azerbaijan border.
The Akinci Drone
Bayraktar’s Akinci drone is a versatile Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capable of performing fighter jet operations, including air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. It boasts a 24-hour airtime and can reach altitudes of 40,000 feet. Its navigation system features internal sensor fusion, allowing it to operate without GPS dependency.
Other Bayraktar Drones
Bayraktar TB2
The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude tactical armed drone with a 27-hour airtime and a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet. It has been exported to over 30 Countries, including Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine. The TB2 features fully automatic navigation, route tracking, and semi-autonomous flight modes.
Bayraktar TB3
Currently under development, the Bayraktar TB3 is designed for takeoff and landing on short runway aircraft carriers. It is capable of reconnaissance, intelligence missions, and launching assaults with smart munitions.
Drones in Ukraine
Bayraktar TB2 drones played a significant role in Ukraine’s defense during the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine war, reportedly destroying Russian tanks and infantry. However, as the conflict progressed, Russia developed countermeasures, diminishing the drones’ impact.
Turkey’s Balancing Act
Turkey’s relationship with the US and Russia is complex. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to acquire the Russian S-400 missile defense system and the US F-35 stealth fighter jet simultaneously.
DroneXL’s Take
The use of drones in military operations continues to evolve, with the Bayraktar Akinci demonstrating its capability in Search and Rescue missions. This incident highlights the growing importance of UAVs in modern warfare and their potential to save lives even in the most challenging conditions. As drones become more advanced, their role in both combat and humanitarian efforts will likely expand.
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