ROKETSAN's new version of the KMC pedestal-mounted missile launcher, KMC-U, was seen with ASELFLIR-410 EO/IR on the FNSS KAPLAN STA tracked weapons carrier. KMC-U, alongside the ASELFLIR-410 electro-optical system, was seen in ASELSAN's weekly coverage video. KMC-U presents new capabilities compared to the baseline KMC, which has entered service with FNSS's KAPLAN and PARS 4x4 weapon carriers and is integrated into Turkish USVs. The new KMC-U version is designed to be fully compatible with ROKETSAN's UMTAS-GM extended-range ATGMS.
This compatibility extends to both the Block 1 configuration, with a range of 16 km, and the Block 2 configuration, equipped with a TV+IIR seeker and a range of 32 km. The successful fire-testing of block 1's laser-guided variant in late 2023 further underscores the KMC-U's adaptability and future-proofing.
It should be noted that UMTAS-GM isn't present in the released picture, which can be distinguished easily as the missile is carried in canisters, whereas baseline UMTAS is carried openly.
Another important addition of KMC-U is the localisation of the EO/IR system that was previously the U.S.-made Starfire 380. The foreign-supplied EO/IR has been replaced by ASELFLIR-410, which was initially developed for military helicopters. The laser designator's 30 km range is important in providing targeting for UMTAS-GM missiles.
Lastly, a 7.62 mm machine gun was added to the centre to improve self-defence capability.
