Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Alpagu kamikaze UAV hits the target

30th June 2021 - 14:00 GMT | by Tayfun Özberk in Istanbul

RSS

Alpagu loitering munition, pictured shortly before it struck a stationary target in a recent live-fire test. (Photo: SSB)

Alpagu loitering munition completes its latest test as manufacturer STM says more variants are on the way.

Turkish manufacturer STM carried out a test firing of its Alpagu fixed-wing autonomous loitering munition at the Aksaray range in mid-June. The UAV carried live ammunition and hit a stationary target.

‘Alpagu, which flew for about 10 minutes after launch, followed the target through image tracking software. Undetected until the last moment, Alpagu destroyed its target with the ammunition on it,’ Turkish defence procurement agency SSB stated afterwards.

Video footage released by SSB showed Alpagu exploding 1-2m above its target.

Speaking a few days later at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, SSB chief Ismail Demir claimed that a ‘wide variety’ of

Already have an account? Log in