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Turkish defense firm Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik (STM) unveiled its long-range kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system Kuzgun (raven) for the first time at the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul.
"Global and regional crises have once again shown the decisive role of long-range and cost-effective strike systems on the battlefield. With Kuzgun, our long-range kamikaze UAV system developed for this need, we aim to take our country's strategic deterrence to the next level," STM General Manager Ozgur Guleryuz said at the unveiling.
Guleryuz added that with its over 1,000km range and high-effect warhead, Kuzgun "will be capable of autonomously neutralizing critical targets, from command centers to air defense and radar elements," and that its electronic warfare-resistant navigation system and low-altitude flight capability would allow it to operate with "full precision even in the most challenging geographies."
Kuzgun can be launched via rocket-assisted takeoff from mobile ground platforms or fixed launchers, eliminating any dependency on runway infrastructure. This feature significantly increases its deployment flexibility.
The manufacturer claims the system's aerodynamic structure provides high survivability while its low radar signature is designed to maximize penetration against defended targets.
The system performs fully autonomous flights based on predefined routes and target information, reaching its target via a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-aided precision coordinate-dive capability. It is optimized for conflict zones with intense GNSS jamming and features a jamming-resistant navigation architecture.
Kuzgun's stated specifications are:
Guleryuz traced Kuzgun's lineage to STM's Kargu autonomous kamikaze drone, which entered inventory in 2018 and initiated the company's autonomy-focused development path.
"Our technology development work that began with Kargu continues step by step with new products and new capabilities. Kuzgun is a more advanced version of that process," he said, adding that battlefield demand had driven the development.
"In recent periods on the battlefield, there are real needs for long-range, high-capacity munitions that can exceed 1,000 km and be far more effective," Guleryuz said.
"With Kuzgun, a game-changing, highly cost-effective and extremely efficient product will emerge for our armed forces first, and then for friendly and allied nations," he added.
Named after the raven, a bird known for sharp intelligence, high observation ability, and strategic speed, Kuzgun completed its design phase and successfully conducted its first test flights before its SAHA 2026 debut.
STM also released footage from the maiden test flight at the event.
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