Türkiye's Akinci combat drone hits target in 1st test with domestic guidance kit

Baykar says aircraft successfully used Aselsan-developed Morfoz Guidance Kit during firing test over Gulf of Saros

Türkiye's Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle successfully struck a target in its first firing test using the domestically developed Morfoz Guidance Kit (MGK), manufacturer Baykar announced Friday. The test was conducted over the Gulf of Saros in the Aegean Sea as part of efforts to expand the aircraft's capabilities by integrating domestically developed systems and munitions, Baykar said in a statement. Akinci took off from the Corlu Flight Training and Test Center in the northwestern province of Tekirdag carrying the MGK and the Alpagut munition, jointly developed by Turkish defense companies Roketsan and STM. The aircraft scored a direct hit on the designated target using the guidance kit before returning to the center, according to Baykar. The company said the MGK was developed by Turkish defense firm Aselsan entirely with domestic components. The guidance kit joins a growing range of weapons integrated into Akinci, including the MAM series of precision-guided munitions, the Tolun munition family, the Cakir cruise missile and the Sungur air defense missile. Other integrated weapons include the IHA-122, IHA-230 and IHA-300 supersonic missiles and the Eren high-speed multipurpose loitering munition. Baykar said the different guidance systems, ranges and warhead options allow Akinci to conduct missions against various types of targets. The company also said it had signed export agreements with 39 countries, including 36 for its Bayraktar TB2 combat drone and 16 for Akinci.