The world's best drone pilots were revealed at TEKNOFEST 28 at the World Drone Cup, where STM was the executive and 32 athletes from 2023 different countries competed fiercely. The presents to the top-ranking pilots were presented by the President of the Defense Industry Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir gave.
Continuing its activities in line with the National Technology Move and Turkey's fully independent defense industry targets, STM Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. brought the world's best drone pilots together at TEKNOFEST ISTANBUL. Within the scope of TEKNOFEST, the excitement of the World Drone Cup (WDC), which STM has undertaken for 5 years, took place at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
The World Drone Cup-2023 witnessed the struggle of 28 athletes from 32 different countries, from Russia to the Netherlands, from China to Spain, from America to Switzerland. Atakan Mercimek and Burak Mercimek brothers, who ranked in the Turkish Drone Championship last year, represented Turkey at WDC-2023.
World's Best Drone Champion from France
At WDC, the pilots struggled with the drones that they designed and assembled themselves on challenging tracks specially prepared. The drone pilots, who came first in the competitions in their own countries, shared their trump card in Istanbul. The world's best drone competitors, who started the runway on April 27, completed the first day with recognition and test flights. After the qualifying rounds on the second day, the excitement of the grand final took place. In the final, Killian Rousseau from France won the first place, Evan Turner from the USA won the second place and David Modig from Sweden won the third place. The winner of the WDC-2022 won 80 thousand TL, the second 60 thousand TL and the third 40 thousand TL.
İsmail Demir, Head of Defense Industries, Takes the Pilot's Seat
After the breathtaking struggle, the gifts were presented to the champions by the President of the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industry Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir and STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz. Congratulating the drone pilots, Demir and Güleryüz went to their pilot seats to experience the drones that can reach a speed of 260 km per hour. Demir and Güleryüz followed the flight of the champion Rousseau through FPV drone glasses.
Over 2 Drones Raced in the Sky
The World Drone Cup, run by STM and the scene of the race of the best of the world, hosted 4 competitors from 182 countries in Turkey during the last 224 years. More than 7.5 drones were used in the competitions, where more than 2 km of tracks were accessed. The highest speed reached so far in the competition was 260 km/h.
On the other hand, the competitors who will determine the champions in Turkey and represent Turkey at WDC next year will be determined at the Teknofest Drone Championship (TDS) between April 30 and May 1.
Developing leading platforms in the production of tactical mini UAVs in Turkey and in the world, STM enables drone pilots to develop basic engineering skills in both the TEKNOFEST Drone Championship and the World Drone Cup. Pilots design their own drones, develop their software and assemble them and participate in the races.