Türkiye’s Baykar Successfully Tests KEMANKEŞ-1 AI-Guided Mini Cruise Missile from Bayraktar Akinci UCAV

In a landmark achievement for Türkiye’s defense industry, Baykar has completed the first live-fire test of its AI-guided KEMANKEŞ-1 mini cruise missile, launched from the Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The test, conducted under live operational conditions and confirmed by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense on October 31, 2025, marks the first successful engagement of airborne targets by an AI-powered cruise missile launched from a UCAV — an event widely described as a breakthrough for Türkiye’s indigenous unmanned strike systems.

According to Türkiye Today, the trial demonstrated the KEMANKEŞ-1’s ability to execute a fully autonomous mission cycle — including launch, mid-course navigation, target tracking, and terminal engagement — under complex battlefield-like conditions. The missile reportedly identified, tracked, and neutralized aerial targets, simulating incoming threats with pinpoint precision, showcasing Türkiye’s advancement in integrating artificial intelligence into combat munitions.

A New Chapter in Turkish Unmanned Warfare

The Bayraktar Akinci UCAV, Baykar’s flagship long-endurance strike drone, served as the launch platform for the KEMANKEŞ-1 test. With an endurance exceeding 24 hours, service ceiling of 40,000 feet, and a payload capacity of 1,350 kilograms, the Akinci represents the apex of Türkiye’s unmanned aerial capability.

The test validated the UCAV’s ability to launch precision cruise munitions autonomously, enabling long-range engagements from beyond the reach of conventional air defenses. For Turkish defense planners, this means stand-off strike capability using unmanned platforms — a combination that provides both operational flexibility and survivability in contested airspaces.

KEMANKEŞ-1: The “Master Archer” of Precision Strike

The KEMANKEŞ-1, whose name translates to “Master Archer” in Ottoman Turkish, is a jet-powered, AI-guided mini cruise missile designed to strike both ground and airborne targets with surgical precision. It represents a hybrid between a loitering munition and a cruise missile, combining endurance, range, and autonomous targeting in a compact, low-observable design.

Technical Specifications (Baykar official data & verified sources):

• Length: 1.73 meters

• Wingspan: 1.14 meters (foldable)

• Height: 0.40 meters

• Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW): 45 kilograms (some independent sources list ~30 kg)

• Payload / Warhead: 6–10 kilograms (high-explosive fragmentation)

• Propulsion: Small jet engine (turbojet)

• Cruise Speed: ~259.28 km/h

• Maximum Speed: ~333.36 km/h (approx. 390 knots)

• Operational Range: 100 kilometers

• Endurance: Up to 20 minutes

• Operational Altitude: 7,500 feet

• Service Ceiling: 10,000

• Communication Range: 80+ km (with autonomous extension beyond via AI navigation)

• Power Plant: Jet engine with electric start-up system

• Guidance System: AI-supported hybrid guidance — combining Electro-Optical (EO), GNSS/INS, and Computer Vision-based Autopilot

• Terminal Guidance: EO or GNSS-based, with autonomous image recognition

• Electronic Warfare Resistance: Integrated anti-jamming protection

• Payload (ISR variant): AI-assisted EO camera capable of real-time target recognition

• Launch Method: Air-launched from UCAVs such as the Bayraktar TB2, TB3, and Akinci

These specifications reflect Baykar’s growing expertise in miniaturized propulsion systems, AI-assisted guidance, and autonomous navigation — three pillars essential for the next generation of precision strike systems.

From TB2 to Akinci: Evolution and Capability Expansion

Baykar initially tested the KEMANKEŞ-1 on its Bayraktar TB2 UCAV, achieving over 100 km of operational range during developmental flights in early 2025. However, its integration with the Akinci platform now allows for longer-range strikes, higher-altitude deployment, and multi-target engagement in layered defense zones.

This evolution transforms the KEMANKEŞ-1 from a tactical precision weapon into a strategic asset, capable of performing air-to-air, air-to-ground, and anti-radiation missions in both autonomous and networked modes. The AI system allows the missile to operate semi-independently, identifying potential threats — such as enemy UAVs, helicopters, or radar emitters — even without continuous operator input.

Strategic Implications: Türkiye’s Leap into AI Warfare

The successful test underscores Türkiye’s determination to achieve defense self-reliance and export competitiveness in high-tech warfare systems. By merging AI, autonomous flight, and precision weaponry, Baykar has positioned itself as a global innovator in unmanned combat technology.

With KEMANKEŞ-1, Türkiye now joins the limited group of nations capable of fielding AI-driven, long-range precision munitions launched from unmanned aircraft. The technology could soon be adapted for sea-based operations, as the Bayraktar TB3, designed for the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship, is expected to deploy the same missile family. This would give the Turkish Navy a carrier-launched UCAV strike capability, expanding its operational reach across the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea theaters.

For global defense observers, the test marks a paradigm shift: autonomous kill chains are now operational in middle-power nations, reducing dependence on traditional Western suppliers. Türkiye’s success also highlights a broader trend — the democratization of advanced weapons technology, where regional powers are closing the gap with established defense giants.

AI on the Battlefield: Precision Meets Autonomy

The AI core of the KEMANKEŞ-1 enables real-time data fusion, adaptive path planning, and image-based target classification, giving it a tactical advantage in cluttered environments and electronic warfare zones. Unlike traditional cruise missiles, which rely heavily on satellite guidance, the KEMANKEŞ-1 can make autonomous adjustments mid-flight, selecting alternative routes or targets as conditions change.

Analysts suggest that this capability positions the missile for roles beyond simple strike missions — including Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), counter-UAV operations, and high-value target elimination. Its small radar signature and AI-based decision-making make it a potent threat even to advanced adversaries.

A New Era for Baykar and Türkiye’s Defense Exports

Following the successful test, Baykar is reportedly preparing for serial production of the KEMANKEŞ-1, with export interest already rising from nations currently operating the Bayraktar UCAV series. Given Baykar’s proven track record in Libya, Syria, Ukraine, and Nagorno-Karabakh, the integration of AI-powered munitions is expected to redefine both tactical and strategic drone warfare globally.

With continued development, the KEMANKEŞ-1 could serve as the foundation for a family of autonomous mini cruise missiles, potentially including anti-ship and electronic-attack variants, further expanding Türkiye’s role as a defense technology exporter.

The first live-fire launch of the KEMANKEŞ-1 AI-guided cruise missile from the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV represents a pivotal moment in Türkiye’s military modernization. It showcases the nation’s technological maturity in combining AI, autonomy, and precision — a trinity that defines the future of warfare.

By mastering the integration of intelligent munitions with its drone fleet, Türkiye is not just catching up with global powers; it is helping define the next generation of autonomous combat systems. The KEMANKEŞ-1, true to its name, is indeed Türkiye’s master archer — striking swiftly, intelligently, and from afar.