ATILIM UAV TEAM — SUAS 2026
Who we are?
Founded at Atılım University, the Atılım UAV Team is a passionate and multidisciplinary group of engineering students dedicated to pushing the boundaries of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles. From structural design and aerodynamic optimization to advanced image processing, custom mapping pipelines, and rigorous system integration, we develop our aircraft almost entirely in-house. Our primary focus for the 2025-2026 academic year is competing in the prestigious SUAS competition. Here, we aim to showcase our engineering capabilities through complex autonomous flight missions, precision payload delivery, and real-time target detection under challenging field conditions.
Beyond just building a high-performance drone, our team serves as a dynamic hub for innovation, teamwork, and continuous learning. We bring together diverse talents, from aerospace and mechanical engineers to software developers, to tackle real-world aviation challenges. By fostering a culture of rigorous simulation-to-field testing and creative problem-solving, the Atılım UAV Team not only prepares its members for the future of the aerospace industry but also strives to leave a lasting mark of excellence in international engineering competitions.
BEHIND THE NAME
Why KA‑FA 1500?
The name KA-FA 1500 is inspired by the iconic spacecraft featured in the Turkish science-fiction comedy G.O.R.A., which the main character, Arif, uses to escape from G.O.R.A. and return to Earth. By referencing this memorable scene, the team aimed to give the UAV a distinctive and recognizable identity rooted in Turkish popular culture. The name also reflects the aircraft's innovative character and symbolizes mobility, mission accomplishment, and a successful return from challenging operations.
There is a second layer only Turkish speakers will catch: “kafa 1500” is everyday slang for being on a completely different wavelength — running at full tilt, thinking a little too big. We took that as a compliment.
Clip: G.O.R.A. (2004), dir. Ömer Faruk Sorak — shown here as the origin of our aircraft's name. Subtitles: English & Türkçe. Watch the full scene on YouTube →
