The Turkish defense company Titra Teknoloji has developed a new version of its Alpin uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The rotary-wing Alpin 2 made its debut at the recent International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Türkiye. Zona Militar spoke with Titra about the capabilities of their new UAS.
A company spokesperson confirmed to ZM that the Alpin 2 “is currently in production.” Moreover, “one of our first confirmed customers is the Republic of Türkiye’s Land Forces Command;” deliveries are scheduled by the end of 2025.
The Alpin 2 is designed for military operations like intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW), search and rescue, and armed missions. The UAS can carry up to 200 kg of payload, both lethal and non-lethal. Examples of lethal payloads include “Merkut loitering munition, laser-guided missiles, and light machine guns,” the company told ZM.
The UAS can also be used to transport cargo, like food, ammunition, or other supplies, to contested environments without putting pilots at risk. The Alpin 2 is a “hybrid system capable of both
transport and tactical support missions,” the company said in a statement.
ZM asked Titra what makes the Alpin 2 different than its predecessor, the Alpin 1. The company explained that the new version provides “significant improvements” in mission flexibility, reliability, and operational capacity.
The new UAS has a fully indigenous autopilot hardware and software; GNSS-independent navigation systems; increased power output (over 20HP); enhanced sensor integration; and a new internal winch-based cargo handling system (instead of an external hook). Having an indigenous system “has eliminated foreign dependency” and also “enabled complete control over performance, maintenance, and cybersecurity through national capabilities,” the company explained. Not having to rely on international suppliers for critical software or hardware will help the company sell its systems and will make Alpin 2 attractive to armed forces.
The Alpin 2 has a control radius of around 200 km, an endurance of over nine hours, and a service ceiling of around 6.400 meters. Carrying additional payloads limits the Alpin 2’s endurance. With a length of 721 cm and a primary rotor diameter of 627 cm, the UAS’s max speed is 203 km/h, with a cruise speed of 107 km/h.
The IDEF expo was a busy week (22-27 July) for Titran. Besides unveiling the Alpin 2, the company signed a cooperation protocol with the Turkish Ministry of National Defense’s General Directorate of Military Factories (AFGM). “This [agreement] marks the launch of Türkiye’s first helicopter unmanning and transformation program,” Titra told ZM. The objective of the project is to convert Bell 206 and Bell UH-1 helicopters into uncrewed aerial systems “capable of carrying over 1,000 kg of payload.” The company declined to provide more information about when this program will commence.
“As our Co-Founder Mr. Muhammed Selman Dönmez stated, this is not just a technological breakthrough, but a strategic leap for Türkiye’s defense autonomy,” the Titra spokesperson added.
Looking to the future, Titra talked to ZM about its growing family of UASs. We are “actively developing and delivering a wide portfolio” including the mini combat helicopter Dumrul UAS with modular munitions; the DELI-2/DELI-mini, a tactical and light-class kamikaze; the Merkut first-person view loitering munitions for close-quarters combat; and the PARS fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing UAS for ISR and logistics support missions. Titra highlighted to ZM that all their systems “are designed to operate under GNSS-denied environments.”
Like the Alpin 2, one active user for Titra’s uncrewed systems is the Turkish armed forces, with “ongoing cooperation for potential export opportunities.” The company declined to discuss orders for international customers. However, Türkiye-made UASs are quickly becoming a well-known and respected name in the field of drone technology.
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