Baykar’s Kemankes 1 missile completes maximum flight and dive test
The Kemankes 1 was launched two years ago during TEKNOFEST 2023. (Photo: Baykar)
Baykar has announced that its Kemankes 1 AI-powered cruise missile has completed its maximum flight and dive test.
Two missiles were launched from Baykar’s Flight Training and Test Centre aboard a Bayraktar TB2, according to the company, before being released and flying 100km to their intended targets.
The testing schedule of the loitering munition is “progressing successfully”, Baykar added.
Related Articles
Baykar unveils Kemankeş mini cruise missile to augment TB2 drone’s strike capability
New Turkish Kemankes loitering munition begins testing
The Kemankes 1 is designed to be launched from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as Baykar’s Akinci, Bayraktar TB2 and TB3. Earlier milestones were achieved at the start of March 2025, with the successful cruise test of the missile from a Bayraktar TB2 UAV.
According to the company, the AI guidance system gives the missile the ability to identify and engage targets with accuracy, even under challenging conditions. It has a maximum dive speed of 400 KIAS and range of up to 150km.
Based on the loitering munition’s MTOW of 40kg, Shephard estimated its gross unit cost was around US$100,000, and its flyaway unit cost between $85,000 and $65,000.
Tests for the second version of the Kemankes – dubbed Kemankes 2 – began in April 2024 .
According to Baykar, that version is designed to conduct deep-strike missions on high-priority targets.
Shephard reached out to Baykar for further comment.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium trajectory continues to climb (updated 2026)
The medium airlift aircraft is swiftly becoming the top pick for an array of countries wishing to enhance their tactical transport capabilities.
-
USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026
The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.
-
“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era
European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.
-
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.