STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.S.) a developer of national and modern systems within the Turkish defence sector, has recorded another major export success in the field of tactical mini-UAVs, further cementing its pioneering position in Türkiye. A contract has been signed for the first export of the fixed-wing national attack UAV system Alpagu, developed by STM based on wholly indigenous and national resources, and widely known as a “kamikaze UAV”. Having successfully passed all field tests, the first batch of Alpagu has now been delivered to the undisclosed user country. This adds another domestically-manufactured system to the list of systems that have achieved export successes without yet entering the inventory in Türkiye.
Noting that contract negotiations are underway for the inclusion of Alpagu in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), Güleryüz said, “After winding up our negotiations, we will deliver a large number of Alpagu to the military. “By equipping our Army with our national technologies, we will continue to contribute to the export targets of our defence sector through exports,” he added. Alpagu takes its name from an ancient Turkish word meaning “Brave man who attacks the enemy alone”, and is noted for its light structure, dive speed and low radar cross-section, as well as its ability to inflict pinpoint damage on critical targets. It has a range of 10 km, and has been designed to play an active role in counter-terrorism and cross-border operations and in urban warfare. The system has three components, namely a fixed-wing attack UAV platform, a launcher and a ground control station, and has the ability to operate effectively at day or night thanks to its electro-optical and infrared cameras.
STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz, referring to STM as a pioneer in the production of tactical mini-UAVs in Türkiye and the rest of the world, said: “Our Tactical Mini-UAV family, which we developed in Türkiye for the first time based solely on our national engineering capacity to meet the needs of our country and military, is achieving new successes with every passing day. Following in the footsteps of KARGU, our rotary-wing attack UAV (Combat Proven Rotary Wing Loitering Munition System), which has been exported to more than 10 countries in three continents to date, we have now exported the first batch of the Fixed Wing Loitering Munition System Alpagu to the user authority, and our deliveries to that country will continue in the coming period. There has been keen interest in Alpagu from different continents and countries, as was the case for our attack UAV KARGU and our surveillance UAV TOGAN, and we are currently in negotiations with numerous countries for new deliveries of ALPAGU. There are countries lining up for ALPAGU.”
Alpagu can fly for approximately 15 minutes after launch and can successfully track its target through its image-tracking software. Alpagu can avoid detection by the target until the last moment and the strength of its high maneuverability, allowing its ammunition to destroy its target with pinpoint accuracy. Alpagu features an electronic proximity fuse and has mission abandonment or self-destruct capabilities, as well as a precision strike capability provided by its image processing-based fire control system. The system can be easily carried by a single soldier, and can be set up and launched in a combat zone within one minute, ensuring the element of surprise. Operational superiority is assured by its artificial intelligence and image-processing capabilities, its quiet operation and its ability to deliver its carried explosive precisely on target.
Alpagu’s superior capabilities, and its ability to be integrated into different platforms (land, sea and air), allow it to stand out among its competitors. Four Alpagu can attack the same target or different targets simultaneously, operated by a single ground control station. Only two platforms are being produced around the world with similar features to Alpagu, which weighs less than 2 kilograms. Alpagu navigates completely autonomously under the management of the mission computer and flight control system developed by STM engineers, and can detect and destroy targets under operator control based on a “Man-in-the-Loop” principle.
Alpagu received great acclaim after four were observed to the identified target with full accuracy during the Haydar Aliyev Exercise-2023, conducted by TAF in cooperation with the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Kars. Alpagu also successfully hit its target during field test carried out at the Aksaray Firing Range. The development of the Smart Loitering Ammunition System ALPAGUT, which is a larger version of Alpagu that can carry a larger explosive payload faster over longer distances, is continuing successfully as a collaboration of STM and ROKETSAN. STM has been serving the Turkish defence sector for over a quarter of a century in such areas as engineering, technology and consultancy, working in fields that are critical for Türkiye and its allies. It applies its advanced capabilities and technologies to a broad range of strategic fields, ranging from naval platforms to tactical mini-UAV systems, from satellite projects to cybersecurity, and from big data analytics to artificial intelligence applications.
