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Roketsan's Cirit laser-guided missile successfully intercepted a simulated kamikaze UAV during a test involving the company's newly updated PUSU weapons system mounted on a pickup truck.
Roketsan recently shared a video demonstrating the test shortly after the IDEF 25 defense exhibition. The exercise featured the 70 mm Cirit missile engaging an airborne target, highlighting its potential for anti-air roles.
In the demonstration, a UAV resembling the Shaheed-136/Geran-2 kamikaze drone was targeted. After detection by the onboard AESA radar, the UAV was engaged successfully by the Cirit missile using the vehicle’s onboard electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) targeting systems.
While the Cirit missile was not originally designed specifically for air defense, its effective warhead and guidance capabilities were sufficient to neutralize fragile UAV threats, potentially using a laser proximity fuse for better interception results.
The successful test may open further opportunities for the integration of the Cirit missile on various platforms capable of firing it, such as KAPLAN STA vehicles, unmanned surface vessels (USVs) equipped with KMC systems, and T129 ATAK attack helicopters. Platforms utilizing the KMC weapon system can carry up to eight Cirit missiles, significantly increasing their operational capacity.
The use of laser-guided missiles like CİRİT against airborne threats is gaining interest globally. Similar capabilities were demonstrated by the USAF in 2019, which successfully tested APKWS laser-guided rockets against cruise missile targets.
Recent conflicts, including the Russo-Ukrainian War and attacks by Houthi insurgents, have emphasized cost-effective anti-UAV solutions. Ukraine notably deployed the L3Harris VAMPIRE counter-UAS system, also utilizing APKWS missiles, to engage Russian UAV threats.
Compared to heavier and more complex air defense systems like MANPADS and SPAAGs, laser-guided missile solutions offer enhanced mobility and sustainability.
"Full precision, full confidence! During the first air-target engagement from our PUSU weapon system, our Cirit laser-guided missile successfully hit the target," Roketsan announced via social media.
"With its high-precision capabilities, Cirit has once again proven its effectiveness on the field."
Roketsan CEO Murat Ikinci stated, "Our Cirit laser-guided missile, known for high-precision strike capabilities, successfully hit the target during the first air-target engagement from our PUSU weapon system. We continue to enhance the strength of our armed forces with field-proven systems."
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