Developments in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems are expanding the use of unmanned technologies. These technologies, currently used extensively in the defense industry, are expected to be used more in logistics and civil aviation in the coming period. One of the key aspects of this transformation is the ability to operate large cargo aircraft without pilots. Turkey is considered among the advantageous countries in this field, particularly thanks to the technologies it has developed in unmanned aerial vehicles.

Two different paths stand out.

Defense industry expert Yusuf Akbaba points out that there are two main approaches for Türkiye to develop an unmanned cargo aircraft.

The first is to equip the currently used piloted cargo aircraft with autonomous systems. The other option is to develop a new cargo aircraft designed entirely as an unmanned aircraft. It is stated that the first approach could be a more accessible starting point. For this, technologies such as autonomous take-off and landing, advanced navigation, software capable of operating in different weather conditions, sensors, and flight control systems need to work together.

According to Akbaba, Turkey’s existing capabilities, especially in the fields of autonomous flight, sensors, software, and unmanned platform development, constitute a strong infrastructure for this transformation.

Baykar’s new company is noteworthy

One of the noteworthy developments for Turkey in this field is

Baykar’s new company structure for the air cargo sector

. Akbaba assesses that, given Baykar’s current approach to unmanned systems, it would not be surprising if the company were to work on the unmanning of large cargo planes in the future.

However, this does not mean that Baykar is currently developing a large unmanned cargo plane. According to expert assessments, Türkiye’s current capabilities could provide a valuable technological foundation for the future implementation of such a project.

The biggest obstacle may not be technology, but certification.

Integration of unmanned cargo aircraft into civil aviation will be a much more complex process compared to their military use.

Because an unmanned aircraft carrying tons of cargo will need to use the same airport as five-person passenger planes. In addition, the reliability and malfunction behavior of systems that will fly over populated areas will be subject to much stricter regulations. For this reason, many components of the system, from flight control software to communication, sensors to emergency procedures, will need to undergo certification processes.

For this reason, instead of completely pilotless large aircraft in the first stage, a transition period can be expected where existing five-person aircraft are gradually made more autonomous.

A new export area for Turkey

The proliferation of unmanned cargo aircraft could create a new market not only in terms of military logistics, but also in terms of global trade and civil transportation .

Reducing pilot costs in manned flights, transporting cargo to dangerous or hard-to-reach areas, and planning operations more flexibly are among the potential areas of use for these systems.

Türkiye’s production infrastructure and operational experience in UAV and UCAV technologies could provide a valuable advantage in entering this new market. However, it is also stated that international collaborations may be needed for some critical technologies, such as high-power engines, in large-scale cargo aircraft.

The most critical stage in the process ahead for Turkey will be combining the technological accumulation gained in military unmanned systems with the safety and certification requirements of civil aviation.

Turkey is preparing to transfer the experience it gained with autonomous aerial vehicles developed in the military field to unmanned cargo aircraft.

Unmanned, Air, Technologies, Cargo, Flight