Asisguard Songar

Developed by the Ankara-based defense ındustry supplier Asisguard, Songar consists of one armed quadrotor unmanned armed aerial vehicle, one ground control station and one set of ground gupport equipment. It can be operated in autonomous and manual flight mode. It features route planning and autonomous flight on the map, as well as autonomous return-to-base operation in critical battery charge level and data link disconnection situations. It enables simultaneous transmission of telemetry data and image.[2] Songar was introduced at the 2019 International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul.[3]

It has an operation range of approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) and is equipped with both daylight and infrared cameras. With a variaty of built-in weapons, it take out targets remotely.[4] It has the dimensions 65 cm × 62 cm × 75 cm (26 in × 24 in × 30 in) during transportation and 105 cm × 62 cm × 75 cm (41 in × 24 in × 30 in) during flight. Fully equipped and with full ammunation, the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 45 kg (99 lb). It can operate in a height above ground level of 400 m (1,300 ft) at an elevation up to 2,800 m (9,200 ft) mean sea level. The drone is dust resistant complying with IP Code 67 standard. It has Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (LONASS) compatible navigation capability.[5]

This system provides advantages because it is low cost, can be developed according to needs, is easy to use, is light and can be carried by personnel in multiple units.[6] In The first SOongar was delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces in 2020, and wasintegrated into a tactical 4x4 wheeled armoured fighting vehicle.[7]

In November 2021, it was announced that Songar was exported to two countries.[8]

Songar features automatic gun stabilizer (OASIS), recoil dumping and the ability of the barrel to be tilted in the 0-60° vertical axis, one pilot camera of 10x magnification and a gun camera, and ground control station (YKİ). The machine gun version fires up a total of 200 5.56×45mm NATO rounds in adjustable burst mode of 15 rounds. The drone can continue its mission with the rounds magazine,which can be changed quickly without any special intervention. Simultaneous missions can be performed with a single or multiple drone system. It makes aerial reconnaissance of the threat/target area orpoint, neutralizes the threat, performs post-operative damage assessment, and transmits real-time images.[5]

The Songar Togan version, which is integrated with SAGE Togan, an air-dropped unguided/low-profile guided, 81 mm mortar developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, has a CEP value of 10 m (33 ft) and a blast radius of 35 m (115 ft).[9]

Songar was initially equipped with an automatic machine gun. After entering into the service of the security forces, various weapon systems and ammunition were integrated. In March 2022, Songar with a laser-guided mini missile system was tested. The drone can fire up six mini missiles of 170 mm (6.7 in) length with 40 mm (1.6 in) diameter developed by Troy Technology. It is intended for use in operations of cross border and residental area. The missiles are launched from 550 mm (22 in) long single-use tubes. Each missile and its tube togather weigh about 0.5 kg (1.1 lb). The mini missile has a maximum distance of 2 km (1.2 mi) with an effective range within 100–500 m (330–1,640 ft). The anti-personnel warhead with a smart fuse operates in a radius of 12 m (39 ft). The armor-piercing warhead penetration capability corresponds to STANAG 4569 Level 2. Songar with mini missile is to destroy fixed targets such as unarmored and lightly armored vehicles, buildings and small structures.[6]

• Songar MG, automatic machine gun[10]
• Songar MG GL (T-40), automatic machine gun and grenade launcher[4]
• Songar AK40-GL, automatic machine gun and grenade launcher[11]
• Songar Togan, air-launched ballistic/near precision 81 mm mortar[12]
• Songar APC, mounted on BMC Amazon vehicle[7]