Bayraktar UAV Munitions Tested with Laser Guidance Kit

The laser guidance kit provides increased accuracy, delivery range, reduced collateral damage and an after-release re-targeting capability By Mike Ball / 16 Jan 2023
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Baykar has confirmed that its Bayraktar Akıncı UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) has been tested with a laser guidance kit made by Turkish defense firm Aselsan. The laser guidance kit was integrated with a MK-82 bomb, also developed by Aselsan, and was used in the test firing. The kit converts 227-kilogram (500-pound) MK-82 and 2-ton MK-84 dumb bombs into cost-effective and highly reliable smart weapons.

The laser guidance kit provides increased accuracy, delivery range, reduced collateral damage and after-release re-targeting capability against both stationary and moving targets. It reduces the number of munitions required to destroy a target and features accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness that were previously unattainable with conventional weapons. The system comprises a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker, a guidance section, a thermal battery, a canard control system and a rear wing.

The Akıncı UAV can fly for 24 hours and has a service ceiling of 40,000 feet (12,192 meters), a 20-meter wingspan and the capacity to carry a load of 1,350 kilograms. The platform will be equipped with a locally-made active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and air-to-air missiles, and will launch several types of munitions, such as standoff missiles (SOM).

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact