AKINCI Drone Hits Target in First Firing Test with ASELSAN’s MORFOZ Guidance Kit
Baykar’s Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicle has successfully struck its target in the first firing test using the Morfoz Guidance Kit (MGK), developed entirely with domestic components by Turkish defense electronics firm ASELSAN. The test, announced on October 9, 2026, marks a significant milestone in Türkiye’s indigenous drone weapon integration program.
AKINCI departed from the Çorlu Flight Training and Test Center in Tekirdağ Province and conducted the firing exercise over the Gulf of Saros in the Aegean Sea. Carrying the MGK and the Alpagut munition, the drone scored a direct hit on the designated target on its very first firing before returning safely to base.
What Is the Morfoz Guidance Kit?
The Morfoz Guidance Kit is a precision guidance system designed and manufactured by ASELSAN using entirely domestic components. It is integrated with standard munitions to provide high-accuracy targeting capability. When fitted to the Alpagut munition — co-developed by Roketsan and STM — the system can engage stationary and moving targets with precision strike accuracy, while maintaining cost efficiency compared to standalone precision-guided munitions.
The development of MGK reflects ASELSAN’s growing expertise in navigation, guidance, and electronic warfare systems. Full domestic component sourcing eliminates dependence on foreign suppliers and supports continuity of production under export restrictions or supply chain constraints.
AKINCI’s Expanding Weapon Arsenal
The integration of MGK further diversifies AKINCI’s already extensive weapon suite. The platform currently supports the MAM series of smart micro munitions, the Tolun munition family, the ÇAKIR turbojet cruise missile, the Sungur short-range air defense missile, and several supersonic weapons and loitering munitions. The addition of the Morfoz Guidance Kit provides a cost-effective option for engaging high-value targets while preserving the platform’s multi-mission flexibility.
With a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 6,000 kilograms and a payload capacity supporting multiple weapon systems simultaneously, AKINCI can carry mixed munition configurations tailored to specific mission profiles.
Export Dimension
Baykar has signed export agreements with 39 countries, including 16 for the AKINCI variant. The successful integration of the Morfoz Guidance Kit into the platform’s weapon suite enhances the overall export package by adding a domestically produced, precision-capable option for partner nations.
Strategic Significance
Conducting the test over the Gulf of Saros—an operationally relevant maritime environment—adds practical credibility to the results. The test confirms the seamless integration of ASELSAN’s guidance system with Baykar’s platform and Roketsan-STM munitions, demonstrating the collaborative depth of Türkiye’s defense industrial ecosystem.
Sources
- Anadolu Agency, October 9, 2026 — AKINCI Morfoz Guidance Kit first firing test
- Baykar Defense official statement, October 9, 2026
- ASELSAN product information — MGK technical specifications
