Applications have started for the Combat UAV Competition organized under the leadership of BAYKAR within the scope of TEKNOFEST Technology Competitions. The deadline for participation is February 20.
08.01.2024
The competition, encouraging young people to engage in scientific and technical studies by directing them towards unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, becomes the stage for the battle of UAVs designed by participants, covering everything from software to hardware, every year. In line with technological advancements, the goal is to equip UAVs, which are evolving and gaining more autonomy in their operational areas, with the capability to engage in dogfights similar to those conducted by fighter jets. Currently, UAVs, which have largely taken over observation activities worldwide from manned platforms, still cannot approach human intelligence levels in areas such as high environmental awareness, decision-making ability, and planning in dynamic environments. Therefore, air-to-air combat maneuvers between UAVs can only be performed by manned aircraft. The fundamental purpose of the Combat UAV Competition is to create controlled scenarios of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat between UAVs, guiding young talents towards relevant fields, allowing them to gain experience and enhance their skills for potential success in the future.
All high school (including distance education high school) and university students, as well as graduates studying in Turkey and abroad, can participate in the Combat UAV Competition. In the competition with a total prize of 470,000 TL, teams that pass the critical design report stage receive material support, while finalist teams receive transportation and accommodation support. Participants are also offered technical trips to leading technology companies in Turkey, the opportunity to meet experts in the field during these trips, gain professional knowledge, and benefit from career opportunities.
From the application stage to the final stage, young people who tirelessly work with determination in an intense and challenging process lasting about a year continue to showcase their successes on every platform. An example of a successful entrepreneurial story is the Alaca Maker initiative, which begins its journey by participating in the Combat UAV competition.
Established by students of Gaziantep University Electrical, Electronics, and Aerospace Aircraft Engineering under the name Hidden Danger, the team competes as a finalist in the Combat UAV Competition at TEKNOFEST 2019. In TEKNOFEST 2020, they participate in the TÜBİTAK Fixed Wing UAV Competition, winning a commendation award. In 2021, they achieve the first prize in domestic software and another first prize in 2022 in the same category they participate in as the Akıncılar team, along with the performance first prize and the TUSAŞ special award. In TEKNOFEST 2023, they also receive the Best System Architecture award in the Combat UAV Competition.
In 2021, they win the TÜBİTAK BİGG Grant Program and establish the Alaca Maker software company. Carrying out R&D activities on the production of autopilot hardware and the development of autonomous software in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, the company develops a domestic autopilot system through R&D activities and uses it in TEKNOFEST TÜBİTAK UAV and Combat UAV Competitions in 2023. The development of critical electronic systems such as autopilot systems, remote control, and telemetry with local and national capabilities plays a crucial role in their success as a team in these competitions. Alaca Maker, a graduate of the TEKNOFEST Entrepreneurship Program's first term, continues its commercial activities with sales exceeding 1 million TL to municipalities, universities, science centers, and private companies, aiming to develop unmanned aerial vehicles based on high autonomous capabilities for the industry and defense sector in the future.
19.05.2025
COMPETITION
