The new version of TUSAŞ’s ŞİMŞEK UAV, ŞİMŞEK-K, hit a ground target with a warhead after its first takeoff test using rocket assist instead of a catapult.
The previously spotted version of ŞİMŞEK that was unveiled after SÜPER ŞİMŞEK was tested in kamikaze configuration with rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO). Following the launch, a ground target was successfully hit with the visible use of a warhead.
ŞİMŞEK-K was first spotted during the TUSAŞ XL 2024 event by TurDef. Later on, the full unveiling with specifications was made during the IDEF2025 defence exhibition. The new configuration features a more streamlined fuselage and a maximum speed of Mach 0.63.
ŞİMŞEK-K, with a datalink range of 150 km, can reach a range of 500+ km when used like a cruise missile. The longer range is likely obtained with a larger MTOW of 83 kg compared to 70 kg of baseline ŞİMŞEK. The payload capacity is 18 kg.
Alongside the considerably larger and more capable SÜPER ŞİMŞEK, ŞİMŞEK-K can be regarded as a refreshment of the legacy ŞİMŞEK with more flight performance and possibly updated electronics/software.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
