STM Kargu

STM Kargu is a small portable rotary wing kamikaze drone produced in Turkey that has been designed for asymmetric warfare or counter-insurgency. It can be carried by a single personnel in both autonomous and manual modes. KARGU can be effectively used against static or moving targets through its real-time image processing capabilities and machine learning algorithms embedded on the platform.

STM Kargu
Role Loitering munition
National origin Turkey
Manufacturer STM
First flight 2017
Introduction 2020
Primary users Turkish Armed Forces
Azerbaijani Armed Forces

KARGU can rapidly and effectively respond against stationary or mobile targets (i.e. vehicle, person etc.) through facilitating its embedded real-time image processing capabilities and machine learning algorithms.

The system consists of the rotary wing attack drone and ground control unit.[1]

Capabilities

According to STM Ceo Murat Ikinci, that Kargu has facial recognition system, suggesting it can seek out specific individuals, and its swarms is that they are too numerous to be tackled by advanced air defense systems, and can destroy a large number of targets very rapidly.[2]

Other capabilities includes:[1]

  • Day and night operations
  • Autonomous and precise hit
  • Different ammunition options
  • Tracking moving targets
  • Navigation and control algorithms
  • Deployable and operable by single person
  • In flight mission abort and emergency self-destruction

Operational history

Kargu was used in Syria and Libya by the Turkish Armed Forces. It was also reportedly used by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, though it hasn't been verified by the Azerbaijani authorities yet.[3][4]

Operators

Possible buyers

STM told that they were in discussion with three unnamed foreign countries about export sales of Kargu. STM mentioned "desert, tundra and tropical conditions" suggesting the buyers may be some distance from Turkey.[2]

Specifications

Data from official STM website:[1]

  • Crew: 0 on board, 1 in ground station
  • Length: 60 cm (2.0 ft)
  • Wing Span: 60 cm (2.0 ft)
  • Weight: 7,060 g (15.56 lb)

Performance
  • Maximum Speed: 72 kilometres per hour (39 kn)
  • Service Ceiling: 500 metres (1,600 ft)
  • Operational altitude: 2,800 metres (9,200 ft)
  • Endurance: 30 minutes
  • Range: 5 kilometres (16,000 ft)

Warhead
  • Different ammunition options with ability to load ammunition prior to use

Avionics
  • Camera with 10x optical zoom

References
  1. "KARGU® Rotary Wing Attack Drone Loitering Munition System". 30 October 2020.
  2. "Turkish Military To Receive 500 Swarming Kamikaze Drones". Forbes. 17 June 2020.
  3. "STM'nin yerli kamikaze İHA'sı KARGU Azerbaycan'da görüldü" (in Turkish). 29 October 2020.
  4. "İlk kez Libya'da kullanılmıştı! Bu kez Azerbaycan'da görüntülendi" (in Turkish). CNN Türk. 28 September 2020.
  5. "Anadolu Agency tours state-of-the-art Turkish UAV maker". 15 July 2020.
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