MERKUT: Turkey’s New FPV Drone Ready for Operations
The Turkish defense industry, which has achieved developments in the field of fixed-wing armed unmanned aerial vehicles in recent years, is now focusing on developing solutions for First Person View (FPV) drone technology, which has increased in popularity in the military field and ushered in a new era in modern warfare, going beyond its original production purpose with the Ukraine-Russia war. In this context, Abdullah Aktas, Founder of SAVX Technology, which operates under the umbrella of Pasifik Technology, recently announced in an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency that the “MERKUT” FPV drone, developed and produced in line with the current needs of the battlefield, is ready for use.
The SAVX engineering team began developing the MERKUT FPV drone eight months ago, naming it after a legendary bird from Turkish mythology known for scaring mischievous children. The team swiftly completed the pre-production phase and showcased the drone for the first time at the SAHA EXPO International Defense, Aviation, and Space Industry Fair in Istanbul in October 2024. Following this debut, the MERKUT successfully passed all tests, including live ammunition flight trials, and was quickly made operational.
According to the information provided by Aktas regarding MERKUT, the drone has a 20-minute flight time and a range of 8 kilometers. It is equipped with a guided munitions system with fragmentation warheads optimized for antipersonnel targets. The munitions ensure a homogeneous distribution of approximately 950 particles on the target, thereby enhancing the system’s operational effectiveness. Other features of the MERKUT include an integrated proximity sensor that facilitates the work of operators and automates the moment of detonation. Thanks to this sensor, the detonation distance can be adjusted between 20cm and 5 meters. In addition, in the event of mission cancellation, the drone can be safely landed and stored for reuse.
The founder of SAVX Technology said they would develop different versions of MERKUT in the future: “We are working on armor-piercing munitions. We are also developing fiber-optic connectivity to prevent disruption from electronic warfare countermeasures. Our team is focused on target detection and tracking algorithms to facilitate the operator’s work and improve strike accuracy.”
In addition to SAVX Technology, Robit Technology, which has made its mark in the market with the AZAB kamikaze drone, and ASISGUARD, the manufacturer of Turkey’s first armed drone SONGAR, are also continuing their work to develop various products in the FPV field. Both companies are expected to make their products ready for service soon, just like SAVX.