Turkish Bayratkar Attack Drone Gets Deadlier with New Targeting System

The Turkish Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) conducted a successful test-fire using an ASELSAN-developed Common Aperture Targeting System (CATS).

Guided by the CATS targeting system, the Bayraktar TB2 drone fired its MAM-L munition, made by another Turkish firm, Roketsan – at its target with pin-point accuracy.

The Bayraktar TB2 is currently being used by Azerbaijan in its war against Armenia with deadly effect. This new capability will add to its lethality.

Baykar, the company that developed the armed drone, said in a statement on Twitter that, “BayraktarTB2 UACV successfully carried out the first test shot with the electro-optic reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system CATS developed by ASELSAN.”

The company also shared a video showing the tests carried out at the Baykar Flight and Training Center in northwestern Turkey’s Tekirdağ province.

The Bayraktar TB2 was equipped with mini smart ammunition (MAM-L) developed by the leading defense company Roketsan during the test. As part of the test flights, CATS’ high-speed target locking and tracking capabilities were tested. The MAM-L hit the target with pin-point accuracy at high altitude and distance with laser marking made by CATS.

CATS is a high-performance electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed for fixed-wing and rotary-wing airborne platforms, including unmanned air systems (UASs), helicopters and aircraft.