Bayraktar TB3 naval UCAV successfully hit a land target in a firing test with ROKETSAN’s CİRİT laser-guided missile, potentially opening a door to C-UAS use.
Baykar’s Bayraktar TB3 UCAV passed its first firing test with ROKETSAN’s CİRİT laser-guided missile fired from a single round pod, hitting a land target.
The test marks a short-range attack capability with a short time to target for Bayraktar TB3, which can be utilised against time-critical targets that MAM glide munitions might take too long to reach. Additionally, the missile can also be used against small naval platforms, especially USVs, which have become a major problem in kamikaze configuration.
However, beyond air-to-surface use, the integration of CİRİT is likely to pave the way for another capability, considering the emergence of the CİRİT C-UAS missile, which features modifications to handle low/slow-flying targets.
Due to its use of a common launch interface with the baseline CİRİT, CİRİT C-UAS, in theory, can be integrated on Bayraktar TB3 from now on. While the test was performed with a single-round pod, Bayraktar TB3’s carrying capacity on first wing hardpoints can allow for the use of two-round or the standard four-round pods can be used. This means that Bayraktar TB3 can potentially engage multiple UAVs ranging from two to eight in one sortie if fitted with CİRİT C-UAS missile. This would allow TCG Anadolu (L400) LHD or the future MUGEM’s battle group to conserve the capable but costly air defence missiles by forming an additional layer that flies around.
While mass-launched long-range kamikaze UAVs like Shaheed-136/Geran have been mostly used against land targets, more sophisticated ones with terminal guidance are more than likely to start threatening ships too. Thus, it would not be a surprise to see Bayraktar TB3 evolving in the C-UAS role to support the fleet air defence when there is a reason and the means.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
