Turkey’s indigenously-developed Akinci combat drone has achieved a new milestone by hitting a sea target using a TEBER MK-82 guidance kit.
During the test, a Bayraktar TB2 performed the laser designation on the target, after which the Akinci dropped an MK-82 bomb from an altitude of 20,000 feet (6 kilometers) onto a floating target.
Despite unfavorable weather conditions for the laser search, the Akinci completed the test.
The TEBER-82, developed by Turkish manufacturer Roketsan, converts a regular gravity bomb into a more precise laser-guided munition.
The trial was the Akinci’s first sea-target engagement before it is inducted into the Turkish Navy.
The preliminary design phase of the Akinci was completed in June 2019, while the maiden flight took place in December. It completed its first firing test in April last year.
The company initially developed three drone prototypes deployed with the Turkish military in August 2021.
About the Akinci
Developed by Baykar, the Akinci is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of operations formerly performed only by fighter jets.
The aerial vehicle can fly at an altitude of 40,000 feet (12,192 meters), has a take-off weight of 5,500 kilograms (12,125 pounds), and carries a maximum payload of 1,350 kilograms (2,976 pounds).
The drone can fly for up to 20 hours and has a top speed of 250 knots (463 kilometers/288 miles per hour). It is currently being deployed for counterterrorism operations.
Developed as a successor to Bayraktar’s TB2 tactical UAV, the drone will perform both air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions.