KARGU
Combat Proven Rotary Wing
Loitering Munition System
KARGU is a portable, rotary wing attack drone designed to provide tactical ISR and precision strike capabilies for ground troops.
KARGU is capable of performing fully autonomous navigation vis STM's unique flight control system. In addition, the platform is able to perform precision strike for low signature, beyond line of sight targets.
Precision strike mission is fully performed by the operator, in line with the Man-in-the-Loop principle. The platform is capable of detecting and striking static or mobile targets with high precision during day and night conditions.
The KARGU system, currently in service with the Turkish Armed Forces and various foreign military inventories, provides operators with reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, and precision strike capabilities by detecting and confirming both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight targets in high-risk and complex conflict zones.
KARGU is reusable thanks to its mission abort and return-to-home functions. The system is capable of conducting operations both day and night through its integrated Electro-Optical and Infrared cameras.
The KARGU system is comprised of the Attack Drone Platform and the Mobile Ground Control Station. KARGU can be equipped with different payloads on the same platform; the user can operate both armor-piercing warheads and anti-personnel munitions on the same platform.
Capabilities
- Combat proven
- Vertical Takeoff and Landing
- Fast preparation time, less than 1 minute.
- Day & Night Mission Capability
- Beyond Line of Sight Precision Strike with minimum collateral damage
- Low RCS (Radar Cross Section) Platform Design
- Anti-Personnel and Armor-Piercing Warhead Options
- Optical Guidance and Target Tracking
- High performance navigation and flight control system
- Operable by single personnel
- Mission abort and return home capabilities
- Highly Reliable Fuze Designs for Various Mission Types
- Advanced Image Stabilization and Target Recognition System
- Precision Landing Sensor
- Interoperability with Other Platforms
- GNSS-Denied Operational Capability
- Fast Recharge Capability
Armor-Piercing Munition Integration
Integration of armor-piercing munitions onto the KARGU platform enhances its lethality against fortified targets.
KARGU GNSS-Independent Attack Capability
A new POD and software solution has been developed to enable the KARGU platform to perform dive attacks even in environments where GNSS signals are jammed.
RF Seeker Payload Integration
Development activities are ongoing for the integration of a seeker head, which will enable the KARGU platform to detect emission sources in its vicinity, navigate towards a selected source, and execute a precision dive attack.
RF Seeker Payload
The STM RF Seeker Payload is a passive, wideband sensor suite designed for mini/micro or small-class UAV platforms. It enables the detection and tracking of RF emissions from both friendly and hostile systems. Integrated with STM’s KARGU platform—field-proven in both domestic and international missions—the RF Seeker Head adds cost-effective electronic warfare (EW) capability to the UAV.
By detecting RF-emitting threats, the payload allows the operator to steer the platform toward the target using the EO camera system and engage it with onboard anti-personnel munitions. When integrated into KARGU, the RF Seeker Head can autonomously detect and track a wide range of emitters, including enemy electronic warfare assets, air defense systems, and FPV drone controllers—providing a cost-effective means of neutralization.
Capabilities
- Software-defined radio architecture, adaptable to evolving operational needs
- Modular infrastructure continuously upgradable based on customer requirements
- Wideband frequency coverage
- Target frequency scanning
- Direction finding and positioning capability
- Guidance functionality
- Compatible with both GNSS and GNSS-denied environments
- Platform-independent integration
Technical Specifications
- Mission Range: 10 km
- Endurance: 25 minutes
- Operational Altitude and Target Detection: 50–500 m
Ground Control Unit
| Operation Type | Mobile |
| Display | Rugged high-precision touchscreen |
| Sunlight Readability | Available |
| Military Environmental Qualification | MIL-STD-810G |
| Water and Dust Resistance | Available |
| Operating Time | 2 hours |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F) |
| Antenna Type | Internal or External Antenna |
| Interface | USB-ETHERNET-HDMI |
| Harness Mount and Sunshade | Available |
Armor-piercing warheads and anti-personnel munitions options
EO/IR Camera
Endurance 30 min
Mission Range: 10 km
Dimensions
(Unfolded, propellers excluded)
707x707×409 mm (L×W×H)
Folded
(propellers included)
471×463×210 mm (L×W×H)
Maximum Dive Speed
~150 m/s
Take-off Weight
(including payload)
7.7 kg
Endurance with payloads
30 dk
Range
10 km (with external antenna)
6.5 km (with onboard GSC antenna)
Imaging Systems
EO/IR Camera
10x Optical Zoom
Maximum Flight Altitude
3000 m (MSL)
Cruise Speed
20 m/s
Wind Resistance
10 m/s
Other Areas of Activities
While prioritizing Türkiye’s defense industry requirements, we diversify our technology-based operations to address the needs of both the public and private sectors, delivering innovative solutions across a broad spectrum.
