Turkish Company STM Successfully Tests KARGU Rotary Wing Loitering Munition with New Armor-Piercing Warhead

On September 30, 2024, STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. announced the successful test of a new model of the KARGU kamikaze drone equipped with an armor-piercing warhead. This innovation enhances the capabilities of the KARGU loitering munition, which is already widely used in counter-terrorism operations and special missions by Turkish and foreign forces.

The first test, carried out against an armored vehicle, demonstrated the system’s impressive effectiveness. With a single strike, the KARGU destroyed the target with pinpoint accuracy. This development represents a significant advancement in the design of rotary-wing loitering munitions, meeting the growing needs of armies facing armored and mobile targets.

Developed entirely with national resources, KARGU is among the most advanced attack drone systems in Türkiye. Integrated into the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory since 2018, this kamikaze drone has been widely deployed in counter-terrorism operations and cross-border missions. Its effectiveness in the field quickly garnered international attention. In 2021, STM marked its first export success, and to date, KARGU has been sold to more than ten countries across three continents.

With over 5,000 units produced, STM has proven that its drones not only meet the needs of Turkish forces but have also established a foothold on the international stage. The versatility of KARGU loitering munition, which can quickly switch from anti-personnel to armor-piercing warheads, makes it a major asset for armed forces, particularly when facing armored vehicles.

The new version of KARGU with an armor-piercing warhead was developed to meet the growing need for engaging armored targets while retaining the ability to attack human targets. Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, emphasized the importance of this innovation: “We have designed a solution that strengthens the position of the Turkish Armed Forces in the field, while also offering considerable appeal in the international market.”

Once equipped with the armor-piercing warhead, the drone becomes a formidable tool against both mobile and stationary targets, including armored vehicles and robust infrastructures. Thanks to its ability to operate day and night and its low radar signature, KARGU is difficult to detect and can surprise the enemy.

In addition to the armor-piercing warhead, STM announced that it is in the final phase of developing an RF (Radio-Frequency) seeker. This new feature will allow KARGU to detect and destroy enemy radar and electronic warfare systems, further enhancing its operational capabilities on the battlefield.

This type of technology, designed by STM engineers, offers a cost-effective solution for electronic warfare operations, adding a new dimension to targeted strikes.

Thanks to its artificial intelligence and image processing capabilities, KARGU can hit targets with extreme precision. Capable of being transported by a single soldier, the drone can be deployed in less than a minute. It can fly for up to 30 minutes with a range of 10 kilometers and is equipped with functions such as mission cancellation, return to base, and self-destruction, ensuring full control by the operator.

Its modular architecture allows it to be used in swarm configurations or independently of GPS, thanks to the KERKES project, offering great flexibility in deployment.

KARGU operates under the “Man-in-the-Loop” principle, where the operator retains full control over the device. In mission, the drone can identify stationary or mobile targets and transmit reconnaissance and surveillance information to the operator. Once the target is confirmed, KARGU can deploy its explosive warhead for a precision strike.