Aksungur UCAV hits target with Aselsan LGK81 and LGK82 in precision strike

The Aksungur unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), successfully hit its target with pinpoint accuracy using LGK81 and LGK82 precision-guided munitions manufactured by Aselsan.

This test marked another significant milestone in Türkiye’s national defense technology capabilities.

National engine and laser guidance drive successful strike

According to a statement shared by TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu on his official X account, the UAV executed the test flight powered by a domestically developed engine.

During the test, the Aksungur deployed LGK81 and LGK82 laser-guided munitions, striking the target with full precision.

“This success once again highlights the progress of our national defense industry and strengthens Türkiye’s journey toward self-reliance in the defense sector,” Demiroglu noted.

“Aksungur UCAV, which carried out the test flight with the national engine, hit the target directly with the Aselsan production LGK81 and LGK82 ammunitions,” he added.

“This success once again reveals the point our national defense industry has reached and adds strength to Türkiye’s journey of independence in the field of defense,” he concluded.

Aksungur’s operational timeline and capabilities

• First Field Mission: Q2 2021
• Entered Naval Inventory: October 2021
• Endurance Record: 60 hours, previously held record was 49 hours
• Service Users: Domestic and international
• Upgrades: Equipped with diverse payloads to expand operational capabilities

Aksungur, built on the dual-engine Anka platform, supports long-endurance missions and performs effective reconnaissance. Its operational ceiling reaches 40,000 feet, powered by two PD170 turbocharged diesel engines.

Technical specifications of LGK series munitions

Aselsan’s LGK (Laser Guidance Kit) transforms conventional general-purpose bombs into precision-guided weapons. Compatible with 500-pound (approximately 227-kilogram) MK-82 and 2,000-pound MK-84 class bombs, LGK offers cost-effective and highly reliable targeting.

• Range: 6.5 nautical miles (12+ kilometers)
• Altitude: 0 – 40,000 feet mean sea level (MSL)
• Release Speed Limit: 600 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) / Mach 1.2
• Accuracy: Less than 10 meters
• Seeker: Semi-Active Laser Homing (LAB)
• Warheads: 500-pound MK-82, 2,000-pound MK-84 and NEB

Strategic importance of the Aksungur UCAV program

Aksungur stands out for its multi-role capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and air-to-ground strike missions.

It features advanced payload integration such as EO/IR, SAR, and SIGINT systems, supporting seamless operations day and night.