Bayraktar Akinci Conducts Successful Trials with Roketsan's Alpagut and Eren Munitions
Turkey's Alpagut Smart Loitering Munition System Demonstrates Precision Strike Capability
In a significant development for the Turkish defense industry, the Alpagut Smart Loitering Munition System, jointly developed by Roketsan and STM, has proven its precision strike capability in a series of successful tests.
The latest test, involving the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV, saw the munition successfully completing safe separation from the aircraft, wing deployment, navigation, and optically-guided tests before hitting its target with millimetric precision.
Selcuk Bayraktar, Chairman of Baykar, commented on the LGK-82 test: "Bayraktar Akinci LGK-82 firing test, direct hit." Ahmet Akyol, General Manager of Aselsan, also stated that the LGK-82 continues to prove itself in the field.
The Alpagut system, with a range of over 100 kilometers and an operational radius of 60 kilometers, offers enhanced operational flexibility, endurance, and precision engagement. It is designed to be versatile, capable of being launched or deployed from various platforms, including manned/unmanned aerial platforms, ground vehicles, and unmanned surface vessels.
Weighing approximately 45 kilograms and measuring 2.3 meters in length with a wingspan of 3 meters, Alpagut is a compact yet powerful system. Its electric motor-driven propulsion ensures quiet operation, reducing detection risk.
Alpagut is equipped with a warhead of approximately 11 kg, suitable for high-precision strikes. It can target mobile and stationary land and sea targets, including air defense systems, radar and communication infrastructures, lightly armored vehicles, command centers, personnel, and opportunity targets.
The system operates autonomously after launch or release, conducting target detection, tracking, and assessment before diving onto the target with ground control approval. It can operate individually or in coordinated swarms, enhancing effectiveness in complex combat scenarios.
Ozgur Guleryuz, STM's General Manager, congratulated all colleagues at STM and Roketsan for their contributions to the development of Alpagut. The system's integration with platforms like Baykar's Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV increases Turkey’s ability to conduct precision strikes while minimizing risk to manned assets.
The Alpagut Smart Loitering Munition System, unveiled at IDEF 2025, is a testament to the vision and system integration capability of the Turkish defense industry. Its effectiveness and importance have been increasing recently in wars and conflicts experienced in different geographies, potentially offering significant export value.
[1] https://www.roketscan.com.tr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=433&Itemid=463 [2] https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/05/27/turkey-unveils-new-loitering-munition-system-at-idef/ [4] https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/05/27/turkey-unveils-new-loitering-munition-system-at-idef/ [5] https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/05/27/turkey-unveils-new-loitering-munition-system-at-idef/
- The Alpagut Smart Loitering Munition System, a development that underscores Turkey's growing partnership with Russia (STM) and the Turkish defense industry's advancements, could potentially find a substantial market in countries beyond Istanbul, contributing significantly to the Turkish economy through exports.
- While the Alpagut system has shown its precision in strikes against land and sea targets, recent geopolitical tensions between Turkey and Russia may impact the future development and integration of such advanced technology in Russia's defensive capabilities.
- As the Turkish defense industry continues to excel in creating Turkishtechnology like the Alpagut Smart Loitering Munition System, there is potential for increased collaboration with other nations, fostering a stronger global economy through shared defense advancements.
