Alpagu kamikaze UAV hits the target
Alpagu loitering munition, pictured shortly before it struck a stationary target in a recent live-fire test. (Photo: SSB)
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
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
US pledges to become “AI-first warfighting force” as navy hits new autonomy milestone
A memo released on Monday outlines three key areas where the Pentagon can accelerate its adoption of artificial intelligence, including paths to finding new ways to integrate AI in combat, while the US Navy continues to push ahead with AI-enabled autonomy.
-
Project Nightfall to test fire deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine by 2027
The UK competition for industry to develop deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine in its war effort against Russia will also provide benefits for the country’s own long-range strike efforts.
-
US Marines seek suppliers for 10,000 low-cost sUAS with first delivery targeted for April
The US Marine Corps is looking for vendors capable of quickly delivering off-the-shelf drones. The small uncrewed aerial systems are expected to carry diverse types of payloads.