The KEMANKEŞ 1 AI-Based Mini Cruise Missile, developed nationally and indigenously by Turkey’s defense industry giant Baykar, has successfully completed its Maximum Flight and Dive Test. In a statement from Baykar, it was noted that the testing process of KEMANKEŞ 1, the first member of the KEMANKEŞ family, is progressing as planned.
During the test conducted at Baykar’s Flight Training and Test Center in Keşan, Edirne, a Bayraktar TB2 UAV took off carrying two KEMANKEŞ 1 missiles and continued its flight along the designated route. In the test phase, the missiles separated from the Bayraktar TB2, covered a distance of over 100 kilometers, and successfully completed the Maximum Flight and Dive Test before safely landing with parachutes.
Haluk Bayraktar: “KEMANKEŞ 1 Represents Next-Generation Warfare Technology”
Baykar’s General Manager, Haluk Bayraktar, emphasized the game-changing impact of KEMANKEŞ 1 in modern warfare in a statement on social media, saying, “High-tech platforms supported by artificial intelligence will be the force multipliers of the future.”
The Striking Power of National UAVs: KEMANKEŞ 1
Developed to neutralize strategic targets, KEMANKEŞ 1 was first showcased at TEKNOFEST 2023 at Atatürk Airport. Named after Turkish archers known for their precise accuracy, KEMANKEŞ 1 can be integrated with Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA, Bayraktar TB2 UAV, and Bayraktar TB3 UAV platforms.
Equipped with a jet engine and capable of staying airborne for approximately one hour, KEMANKEŞ 1 is highly effective against high-risk targets behind enemy lines. With an operational range exceeding 200 kilometers, its AI-supported optical guidance system enables precise targeting even in challenging weather conditions.
Game-Changing Capabilities on the Battlefield
KEMANKEŞ 1 stands out with its AI-based autonomous flight capability, high-precision strategic target destruction, and day-and-night operational capability. Additionally, its anti-jamming technology ensures resilience against electronic warfare threats.
Maintaining line-of-sight communication with its UAV platform, KEMANKEŞ 1 transmits real-time data and imagery to the ground control station, providing instant intelligence support to its operators.
Baykar’s Record-Breaking Export Success
Baykar, which funds all its projects with its own resources, has generated 83% of its revenue from exports since it began its UAV R&D process in 2003. In 2023, the company achieved $1.8 billion in exports, ranking among Turkey’s top 10 exporters across all industries.
Continuing its export leadership in 2024, Baykar has once again reached $1.8 billion in exports, with 90% of its revenue coming from international sales. The company has been the top exporter in the defense and aerospace sector for three consecutive years, single-handedly accounting for a quarter of the industry’s exports and positioning Turkey at the forefront of the global UAV market.
To date, Baykar has signed export agreements with 34 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV and with 11 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA, solidifying its position as the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturer.
