Fixed Wing Tactical UAV Family ÇEPNİ Entered the Field

The fixed-wing ÇEPNİ Tactical UAV family developed by SolidAERO performed its first field mission.

SolidAERO, one of the Turkish defense industry companies, launched the fixed-wing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle family ÇEPNİ into the field. According to the information provided by Anadolu Agency, the platform was used as a target aircraft within the scope of the development of a defense system in its first field mission.

The system, named after the Chepni tribe of the Oghuzs, was developed to meet different mission needs with its common body architecture and modular design. ÇEPNI can be transported in a container and installed by a single operator in less than 30 minutes, aiming for rapid deployment of the system in the field.

The platform can take off with a ramp or pneumatic catapult system placed at the back of the vehicle, without the need for classical runways. This feature provides flexibility of use in areas where there is no fixed runway infrastructure.

There are three different mission configurations

ÇEPNİ family is divided into three separate versions based on the same basic architecture. Each version focuses on different operational needs.

ÇEPNI Midrange was developed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and attack missions. The platform, which is stated to have a range of hundreds of kilometers, can carry 15 kilograms of payload. Thanks to its modular structure, it can be configured with different mission equipment or attack loads.

ÇEPNİ Target was designed to be used in training and testing activities of air defense systems. This version, which is stated to have a payload capacity of five kilograms and a range of over 100 kilometers, was developed so that it can be reused after the mission. Its reinforced fuselage and hull landing capability support the reuse approach.

ÇEPNİ Decoy is defined as a configuration that can be used to mislead air defense systems and occupy the capacity of radars.

It can reach a speed of 185 kilometers per hour

The technical architecture of the ÇEPNİ family was developed by taking into account the conditions where intense electronic mixing occurs. It is reported that the cruising speed of the platform with a carbon fiber body can reach 185 kilometers per hour.

Especially the ÇEPNİ Target version can imitate the radar signatures of different air threats such as warplanes, helicopters and missiles through its special modules. In this way, it is aimed to test air defense systems against different threat profiles and diversify training scenarios.

Modular structure will meet different needs

The ability to use ÇEPNI in different tasks through a single hull architecture can contribute to reducing the logistics and maintenance infrastructure required for separate platforms. The quick installation and launch method that does not require a runway also expands the usage areas that tactical units can benefit from the system.