STM Kargu
STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik) · Turkey · first flew 2016 · reconnaissance aircraft
The STM Kargu is a Turkish autonomous loitering munition — a kamikaze drone that can operate individually or in swarms to engage targets using onboard AI-driven recognition.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | explosive warhead in centre body |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- small quadcopter loitering munition
- explosive warhead in centre body
- autonomous target-recognition capability
Resembles a small commercial quadcopter but carries a distinctive circular fragmentation warhead as the central body mass. The stubby quadcopter arms and enclosed motor pods distinguish it from purely surveillance drones of similar size.
Specifications
- The STM Kargu has a length of 0.7 m (2 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 0.7 m (2 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 90 km/h (56 mph).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by STM beginning around 2016 and first publicly demonstrated in 2017, the Kargu was designed to give ground forces an organic precision-strike capability without needing constant data-link control. It attracted international attention after reports of its potential use in the 2019–2020 Libya conflict. The Kargu-2 refined the design with improved autonomy.
Variants
The Kargu-2 is the primary operational version with improved sensors and autonomy. Multiple Kargus can operate as a coordinated swarm under a single operator.
Where you'll see it
In service with the Turkish Armed Forces. Exported to select partner nations. Has seen reported use in conflict zones in North Africa and the Middle East.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.