In a video released by Baykar, the manufacturer of AKINCI, the sophisticated UAV engaged a sea target with an MK-82 bomb fitted with a TEBER guidance kit.

“Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV successfully completed its first firing test with Roketsan’s Teber-82 Guidance Kit.”

According to SavumaTR, a Turkish defense media, despite difficult weather conditions for using laser seeker munitions, the test was a success owing to the combined efforts of AKINCI and TB2 UCAVs. During the firing test, the Bayraktar TB2 performed laser designation on the target, and AKINCI dropped the TEBER-82 from a height of 20,000 feet. The bomb dropped by AKINCI rode the laser beam of the TB2 drone.

The event marked the first sea-target engagement of AKINCI unmanned aircraft, which is expected to enter service for the Turkish Navy in the following period. Here is the video of the event:

Bayraktar AKINCI is a high altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) (HALE) manufactured by Baykar. After the preliminary design phase was completed in June 2019, Akıncı began ground tests in August 2019 with a Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress AI-450C turboprop engine.

The UCAV completed its maiden flight on Dec. 6, 2019, and its first firing tests on April 22, 2021, with the first three units entering service with the Turkish Armed Forces on Aug. 29, 2021. AKINCI is currently being actively deployed for counterterrorism operations.

With its unique body and wing design, the Bayraktar Akinci platform is defined as a strategic-class platform capable of carrying various payloads. It is equipped with dual artificial intelligence avionics that supports real-time signal processing, sensor fusion, and situational awareness.

The UCAV is capable of performing operations carried out by fighter jets. It has electronic support systems, dual satellite communications systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar.

Bayraktar AKINCI can also be used for air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions. With its triple redundant electronics hardware and software systems Bayraktar AKINCI is capable of carrying the following payloads:

•    Mini Smart Munition MAM-L •    Mini Smart Munition MAM-C •    Cirit Missile •    L-UMTAS Missile •    Mini Smart Munition Bozok •    MK-81, MK-82, MK-83 Guided Bombs (JDAM)\ •    Wing Assisted Guided Bomb MK-82 •    Air-to-Air Missile Gokdogan and Bozdogan •    Cruise and anti-ship missile SOM-A

Bayraktar AKINCI will be equipped with a multifunction AESA Radar system for air-to-air, synthetic, meteorology estimation.

AKINCI, which the Turkish Armed Forces have high hopes for, features high altitude flying, air-air combat capabilities, and extensive weapon portfolio. Though the first AKINCI drones were delivered to the Turkish Air Force Command, the Turkish Navy will probably acquire AKINCI UCAV, according to a May interview of the Baykar’s CEO.

In addition to the present drones utilized by the Turkish Navy, it will be capable of stand-off attacks. It will be able to carry and launch the indigenous SOM-A missile, which has an effective range of roughly 200 kilometers, in addition to the guided munitions short-ranged missiles carried by drones. AKINCI’s weaponry will include Rokentan’s newly introduced CAKIR missile, which has a range of more than 150 kilometers.

These weapons will extend the UCAV impact area, enhancing its deep strike capabilities while also allowing it to fight a wide range of naval assets such as frigates and destroyers. Because the range of AKINCI’s missiles exceeds that of many frigates and destroyers’ air defense weapons. AKINCI is able to undertake ASFAO duties as a result of these features.

Furthermore, in a network-centered warfare environment, AKINCI’s AESA radar, other advanced electronic intelligence capabilities, maximum altitude performance, and flight time will provide intelligence-reconnaissance-surveillance-target detection, and battle damage assessment support to other friendly units.

The unmanned aircraft’s air-to-air combat capabilities can be very effective in eliminating the drone threat that a naval fleet may face in the operational region. AKINCI can counter maritime patrol aircraft and drones with locally produced Bozdogan and Gokdogan air-to-air missiles. AKINCI, like the test-fire on April 22, can work with other drones to carry out assault operations against opposing surface combatants with weak air defense capabilities.

It will also be able to control CAKIR missiles launched from other surface platforms in a network-centric environment. Because the CAKIR missile will be launched from Turkish USVs and FACs, AKINCI will provide unmanned surface-air cooperation to boost the missile’s hit probability not only in open seas but also in littoral waters.

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