KEMANKEŞ 2: Baykar develops new mini cruise missile with 200 km range and AI accuracy for its drones

Tests are progressing on the KEMANKEŞ 2 mini cruise missile, which Turkish company Baykar is developing to equip its unmanned aerial systems with the capability to attack targets located more than 200 kms away from the launch point.

The KEMANKEŞ 2 missile has already successfully completed its second systems verification test, which are being carried out at Baykar’s Flight Test and Training Center in the Keşan district of Edirne. The latest test conducted consisted of an evaluation of its flight and navigation characteristics, being deployed by means of a ground vehicle moving at high speed.

Bayraktar #KEMANKEŞ 2 ????????

✅ 2. Sistem Doğrulama Testi

✅ 2nd System Verification Test #MilliTeknolojiHamlesi ???????????? pic.twitter.com/v1iqopBzL4

— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) June 13, 2024

As its name suggests, the new mini cruise missile is an evolution and improvement of the KEMANKEŞ 1, first presented during the Teknofest 2023 exhibition in Istanbul. The aim of Baykar’s development is to equip its Bayraktar TB2, TB3 and AKINCI-type unmanned aerial systems with an intelligent munition capable of engaging tactically valuable targets, such as air defense systems, from safe distances.

El nuevo KEMANKEŞ 2

As reported by the company, it consists of a mini smart cruise missile, which can stay in the air for about 1 hour, can travel quickly thanks to its jet engine and will be effective against the most risky targets behind enemy lines. KEMANKEŞ 2, which has a mission range of more than 200 kilometers (in comparison, KEMANKEŞ 1 had a declared range of 50 km), will recognize its target thanks to its artificial intelligence-backed optical guidance system and will have the ability to destroy it with complete accuracy even in difficult weather conditions.

Türk Havacılığının Altın Çağı ????

BAYKAR Ailesi’nin yeni üyesi #KEMANKEŞ 2 Mini Akıllı Seyir Füzesi ????????

???????? Yerli Jet Motoru Sayesinde Yüksek Süratle Hareket
✈️ 200 km Operasyonel Menzil
☁️ 1 Saat Azami Uçuş Süresi
???? Yapay Zeka Destekli Oto Pilot Sistemi
???? Katı Yakıtlı… pic.twitter.com/7GNj66HBJ3

— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) May 30, 2024

Artificial intelligence at the helm

With its artificial intelligence (AI)-backed autopilot system, KEMANKEŞ 2 can engage targets day and night, and will be able to operate without being affected by electronic interference thanks to its anti-jamming technology. The missile will be transmitting all the data and images it obtains to the ground control station, useful for performance evaluation and confirmation that the intended target was or was not hit.

While Baykar’s publications do not specifically mention it, the use of AI could not only improve navigation by allowing it to guide itself by recognizing landmarks on the ground, but it could also search for and identify its target by comparing its silhouette with that of the images stored in its database. In this way, it could overcome the disruption of communications with the ground base or with satellites produced by powerful electronic warfare systems, a tactic widely used in the current Russian-Ukrainian war by both sides.