What appears to be a prototype of ROKETSAN/STM ALPAGUT loitering munition has been seen under the wing of an AKINCI UCAV. The munition was present in another test involving IIR/TV MAM-T and winged TEBER-82 munitions.
Unveiled during SAHA EXPO 2022, ALPAGUT has already been teased with an air launch from AKINCI UCAV. While the shape is roughly similar, small changes are observed in the munition compared to the first-shown models. ALPAGUT is a propeller-driven loitering munition with a warhead of 11 kg and a range of 60+ km.
The munition can be launched from manned/unmanned aircraft, USVs, ships, land vehicles, and helicopters. As the propeller is driven electrically and the munition travels at a low speed, detection risk is lowered at shorter ranges. Another important feature of ALPAGUT is the gimbal EO/IR system on the nose, which doubles as a seeker and an ISR asset.
Multiple ALPAGUTs can loiter around suspected areas to find targets and relay the visual information simultaneously.
The EO/IR system is absent in the video where the prototype is seen. This is likely because the prototype will be used for dropping and communication tests. Establishing stable communication between ALPAGUT, AKINCI, and the ground control station will be important.
