The system has a particularly light structure, dive speed, low radar cross-section, and ability to inflict pinpoint damage on critical targets

STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik, has delivered its fixed-wing loitering munition system ALPAGU to an undisclosed country, marking the first export success of the system.

A first batch of the domestically manufactured ALPAGU designed for counterterrorism, cross-border operations and urban warfare, known as “the kamikaze UAVs”, was delivered after passing all field tests following the contract signature.

ALPAGU has an exceptionally light structure (less than 2 kilograms), dive speed, low radar cross-section, and the ability to inflict pinpoint damage on critical targets. It has a range of 10 km. The system has three components, namely, a fixed-wing attack UAV platform, a launcher, and a ground control station. It can operate effectively day or night thanks to its electro-optical and infrared cameras. ALPAGU can fly for approximately 15 minutes after launch and successfully track its target through its image-tracking software. It can attack the same target or different targets simultaneously, is operated by a single ground control station, and can avoid detection by the target until the last moment thanks to its high manoeuvrability, which also allows its ammunition to destroy its target with pinpoint accuracy.

ALPAGU features an electronic proximity fuse with mission abandonment or self-destructs capabilities and 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. Operational superiority is assured by its AI and image-processing capabilities, quiet operation, and ability to deliver its carried explosive precisely on target. The system can also be integrated into different platforms (land, sea and air).

Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager at STM 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.”

Currently, contract negotiations are underway for the inclusion of ALPAGU in the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inventory. Commenting on them, Güleryüz added, “After winding up our negotiations, we will deliver a large number of ALPAGUs 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.”