In a earthquake disaster drill organized by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), HAVELSAN’s BAHA, a sub-cloud autonomous UAV, played a critical role in advancing Turkey’s disaster response capabilities. The UAVs were deployed for rubble reconnaissance and surveillance missions, demonstrating their growing importance in modern disaster management.
During the exercise, two BAHA UAVs were launched by AFAD’s coordination center to provide real-time aerial surveillance of debris zones. Throughout the three-hour mission, BAHA provided uninterrupted real-time camera footage from debris zones to AFAD’s coordination centers in Ankara and Bolu, showcasing its capacity to deliver live and precise data crucial for disaster management.
The AFAD Presidency hosted an evaluation meeting on the drill, attended by the governors of Ankara, Sakarya, Karabük, Düzce, Zonguldak, and Çankırı. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydın remarked on how the drill significantly enhanced AFAD’s capabilities by integrating advanced technologies like UAVs. He emphasized the pride in employing HAVELSAN’s UAVs, noting, “Using these UAVs in any disaster scenario is critical for expanding operational capacities.”
HAVELSAN CEO Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar highlighted that the BAHA UAV, which entered the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory last year and has been actively and successfully utilized in field operations, was honored to be part of earthquake preparedness initiatives. Dr. Nacar noted BAHA’s instrumental role following the February 6 earthquakes, supporting search and rescue operations by providing real-time data to coordination centers. “Our hope is never to experience another earthquake or natural disaster, but we must always be prepared. BAHA will remain a crucial asset for professional teams conducting search and rescue missions,” he added.
The BAHA sub-cloud autonomous UAV stands out with its high endurance, advanced imaging and surveillance capabilities, and autonomous mission execution. It is equipped to perform tasks such as continuous aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and data gathering under diverse environmental conditions. The UAV features a state-of-the-art electro-optical camera system and can stream real-time high-definition imagery. With extended flight endurance, rapid deployment capability, and autonomous navigation systems, BAHA is an ideal solution for disaster management, security, and defense applications, providing precise, reliable, and responsive aerial support.
