Akinci combat drone receives Aselsan's Tolun IIR glide bomb

Led by its Defence Industry Agency, Türkiye is pressing ahead with integrating new domestically produced munitions and systems into the Bayraktar Akinci combat drone. The unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Baykar now has a new addition to its portfolio: the Tolun IIR glide bomb, developed by Aselsan.

The Akinci could already carry a long list of weapons and sensors “Made in Türkiye”. Successfully tested were MAM-L, MAM-L TV, MAM-T, MAM-T IIR/TV, MAM-C, Teber-81, Teber-82, LGK-81, LGK-82, HGK-82, Gökçe Guidance Kit, Gözde Guidance Kit, KGK-82-SİHA, IHA-230 Supersonic Missile, TV Seeker and Laser Seeker-Headed IHA-122 Supersonic Missile, as well as Çakır Cruise Missile.

Tolun IIR: smart glide bomb for the Akinci combat drone

Now the Tolun IIR adds a glide munition with GPS/INS/IIR guidance and a dual-link data transmission system that can engage both fixed and moving targets. Its range is 80 kilometres. For target selection, the seeker sends high-resolution video to the operator in the control centre. Until the very last moment the weapon remains aimed at its target under human control – ensuring precise engagement by day as well as by night.

The Tolun IIR, developed by Aselsan, completed its successful test firing only on 17 September. A Bayraktar Akinci carrying three rounds under its fuselage took off from the Akinci Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, and headed for the Konya Karapınar Firing Test and Evaluation Center. There the munition was released from an altitude of 22,000 feet. Guided by its imaging infrared (IIR) guidance system, the Tolun IIR scored a precise hit on an armoured personnel carrier 20 kilometres away.

More engine power for the Akinci C

Not only weapons and sensors are being developed further, but also the aircraft itself. Baykar recently announced the Akinci C: it has two engines of 850 hp each, whereas the Akinci B is fitted with two 750 hp engines and the Akinci A with two 450 hp engines. According to Baykar, this underpins the Akinci's reputation as one of the “most effective and capable UCAVs in its class”. The company also says the Akinci fleet has now reached 70,000 flight hours.