Baykar Tech Unveils The BAYRAKTAR Kemankeş Loitering Munition For The First Time
The Bayraktar KEMANKEŞ Winged Loitering Munition, developed by the Turkish drone manufacturer BAYKAR, was unveiled for the first time at TEKNOFEST 2023 (Aviation, Space, and Technology Festival) held at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Additionally on display in the festival area was the KEMANKEŞ control panel.
In an interview Baykar Platform Engineering Team Leader Burak Özbek stated that BAYRAKTAR KEMANKES was developed to increase the capabilities of Bayraktar TB2 to attack strategic targets. Regarding the advantages that BAYRAKTAR KEMANKES will bring on the battlefield, Özbek stated, “with the laser-guided ammunition we are using now, you have to approach the target and see the target. This puts you in the risk zone.” Now Baykar is looking to provide a stand-off capability, “we provide air-to-air communication with the TB2 or main platform aircraft via KEMANKES, we have achieved the capacity to attack enemy elements from a much greater distance, even without entering the risky area.” Experience in Ukraine has shown that the TB2 is susceptible to aid defense assets and Özbek added that: “I think this will significantly improve TB2’s capabilities.”
Bayraktar KEMANKEŞ, which translates to “archer,” is a winged loitering munition developed by BAYKAR for use against strategic targets. Bayraktar KEMANKEŞ will also be able to be launched from Baykar’s Bayraktar AKINCI, Bayraktar TB2, and Bayraktar TB3 drones. According to the company, KEMANKEŞ, which can fly autonomously with an artificial intelligence-supported autopilot system, can precisely neutralize the target even in difficult weather conditions by recognizing its target using an Artificial Intelligence Assisted Optical Guidance System. KEMANKEŞ, which can operate both during the day and at night, will not be impacted by electronic jamming due to its anti-jamming technology. The new munition will be able to conduct all line-of-sight communications over the main unmanned platform it is attached to. As a result, it is capable of transmitting telemetry data and video to the ground control station via the attached main platform.
With a length of 1.73 meters and a wingspan of 1.25 meters, the loitering munition has a maximum weight of 3kg. KEMANKEŞ can carry a payload of 6 kilos, and is fitted with a camera system with 2-axis stabilization, 36x zoom, and a laser rangefinder with a range of 2.8 kilometers. KEMANKEŞ has a reported endurance of 1 hour and a maximum cruising speed of 0.7 Mach thanks to its IL170 turbojet engine. The smart munition, which can be used at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet, will have an operating range of more than 200 kilometers.
Serial production of the Kemankeş, whose development began last year and is now in the flight-testing phase, is expected to start this year. In the next 1-2 months, the company plans to conduct the first launch of Kemankeş, and motorized flight tests will be carried out in the future. Baykar, which has exported the Bayraktar TB2 to 28 countries and the AKINCI to 6 countries, is expected to achieve the same success with its new product when it is ready for use.