Simsek target drone bares its teeth
Simsek pictured before its test firing in October 2021. (Photo: SSB)
Turkish Aerospace has converted a target drone into a kamikaze aircraft — but there is no sign yet of a timeline for entry into service.
A new type of munition could arm Turkish-made UAVs, after Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) executed a live-fire test of a converted Simsek target drone aimed at a static sea target.
Ismail Demir, the president of Turkish defence procurement agency SSB, announced the successful tests on 24 October and shared a video on social media.
‘Simsek, the target drone, has evolved into a GPS-guided missile capable of flying autonomously and hitting targets at great distances,’ Demir claimed without divulging details of the operational range.
However, TAI general manager Temel Kotil first revealed the conversion of Simsek into a kamikaze drone in an
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![European funding and NATO interoperability could shape Polish helicopter plans]()
European funding and NATO interoperability could shape Polish helicopter plans
Poland is seeking to update its transport helicopters as part of a wider military aviation modernisation programme, with EU funding requirements and NATO interoperability key considerations.
-
![October crewed air review: Israel’s Apache deal bets on crewed aviation in an uncrewed age]()
October crewed air review: Israel’s Apache deal bets on crewed aviation in an uncrewed age
Israel’s $1 billion Apache helicopter order highlights the continued demand for crewed attack aviation, while growing integration with uncrewed systems could shape future modernisation and procurement decisions.
-
![US Navy keeps Super Hornet production restart option open, but without defined cost or timetable]()
US Navy keeps Super Hornet production restart option open, but without defined cost or timetable
The US Navy plans to preserve Super Hornet and Growler tooling as production winds down, with restart costs unassessed and final F/A-18 deliveries expected in late 2027.
