Screengrab. Source: Baykar Defense.
The Bayraktar Akıncı combat drone has successfully used Aselsan’s new Common Aperture Targeting System (CATS) in a live-fire test, Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar Defense revealed on December 30.
During the test, an Akıncı drone utilized the CATS to illuminate a target for a LGK-82 227 kg laser-guided bomb, which was also developed by Aselsan. Baykar Defense chief Selcuk Bayraktar shared footage from the test on Twitter.
According to Aselsan, the CATS is a “high performance” electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed for fixed-wing and rotary-wing airborne platforms, including drones, helicopters and aircrafts.
The day/night targeting system has a high definition video output and can illuminate targets with laser from 25 kilometers away.
Aselsan speeded the development of the CATS following the 2020 Canadian ban on the export of targeting systems and other military components to Turkey. Prior to the ban, the Canadian-made Wescam MX-15D was the main targeting system on Turkish drones.
Turkey has already exported the CATS. Earlier this month, Baykar delivered a batch of Bayraktar TB2 combat drones to Mali which were equipped with the Turkish-made targeting system.
The rapid development of the Turkish military industrial complex will not only boost the defensive capabilities of Ankara, but will also allow it to export military technology with much more freedom.
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