Baykar Conducts The First Test-Fire of Bayraktar Kemankeş Mini Smart Cruise Missile
The Kemankeş mini smart cruise missile, developed by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, successfully completed its first test-fire. According to the company, “the Bayraktar TB2, which took off from the Baykar Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan on Wednesday, 14 June to perform the test… fired KEMANKEŞ from a distance of 20 kilometers.” Within the scope of the test, KEMANKES, which traveled 33 kilometers with the IDEALAB IL170 Turbojet Engine, completed its mission by reaching the target area.
The Kemankeş mini smart cruise missile, originally developed by Baykar for use against strategic targets, was exhibited for the first time at TEKNOFEST 2023 (Aviation, Space, and Technology Festival) held at Istanbul Atatürk Airport between April 27 and May 1. Baykar formally unveiled the Kemankeş in the category of a “mini smart cruise missile.” Many international publications, however, classify Kemankeş as a loitering munition. As it is, loitering munitions are thought to fall somewhere between cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles and share traits with both.
Bayraktar Kemankeş, named after the historic Turkish imperial archers, can be launched from Bayraktar AKINCI, Bayraktar TB2, and Bayraktar TB3, all of which were developed by Baykar. 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 missile 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 missile 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 missile, 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 Kemankeş, whose development began last year and is currently in the testing phase, is expected to start this year.