The Turkish company Baykar has announced a major innovation in its weapons portfolio: the adaptation of the miniature cruise missile Kemankes 1 for intercepting aerial targets such as drones and helicopters.
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During a groundbreaking test, two Kemankes 1 missiles were launched from the Bayraktar Akinci UAV — marking the first air-to-air launch ever conducted by a turboprop UAV. The simulation involved intercepting targets towed by quadcopter drones, successfully demonstrating the missile’s new capability.
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This adaptation expands the Kemankes 1’s role beyond ground targets, enabling armed drones to provide air defense against low-altitude threats. Specifically, the Akinci UAV — to be equipped with the AESA radar MURAD 100-A — will be capable of detecting and tracking enemy aircraft, guiding the Kemankes 1 to its final flight phase, during which the missile’s optical seeker head takes over to engage the target.
Kemankes 1 Specifications:
- Length: 1.73 m
- Wingspan: 1.25 m
- Total weight: 30 kg (with 6 kg warhead)
- Cruising speed: Mach 0.3 (360 km/h)
- Maximum speed: up to Mach 0.7 (720 km/h)
- Propulsion: jet engine
- Range: over 200 km
Officially launched in April 2023, the Kemankes 1 had already proven to be a versatile long-range cruise missile. Now, with its new air-interception capability, it becomes a key component in the evolution of drone-based air defense doctrine.
Sources and images: Militarnyi.com | Baykar Press | X @BaykarTech. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
