Baykar Adapts Cruise Missile for Aerial Target Interception

The Turkish miniature cruise missile Kemankes 1, developed by Baykar, has been successfully adapted to intercept aerial targets.

Baykar announced that the test launch of the Kemankes 1 missile from the Akinci UAV marked not only the first-ever launch from a turboprop UAV but also the inaugural demonstration of its air-to-air capabilities.

During the test, two Kemankes 1 missiles effectively simulated the interception of targets towed by quadcopter drones, showcasing the missile’s precision and versatility in aerial combat scenarios.

Such an adaptation could provide platforms capable of carrying the Kemankes 1 missile with the ability to intercept aerial targets, including drones and helicopters.

Specifically, the Akinci UAV, which will be equipped with the MURAD 100-A AESA radar, can use this radar to detect drones or helicopters and guide the Kemankes 1 missile during the mid-course phase until the missile’s optical seeker takes over for target acquisition.

Kemankes 1 was first introduced in April 2023. The missile is 1.73 meters long, with a wingspan of 1.25 meters. Its maximum weight is 30 kilograms, including a 6-kilogram warhead.

The missile’s declared cruising speed is 0.3 Mach (360 km/h), but it can reach a maximum speed of up to 0.7 Mach (720 km/h). It is powered by a jet engine, providing a range of over 200 kilometers.