The Turkish defense company SAVX Technology has developed the MERKÜT FPV kamikaze drone, which is equipped with a fragmentation warhead in the shape of a hemisphere. Its weight has not been disclosed, but it is noted that it contains 950 fragments that disperse evenly toward the target. Currently, the company is working on developing an armor-piercing warhead for the destruction of armored vehicles.
This was reported by Anadolu Ajansi. In just 8 months, SAVX Technology has designed, created, and tested the MERKÜT drone.
At present, there are no public discussions regarding the supply of these drones to Ukraine, but such a possibility certainly exists, similar to what happened with the German FPV drone we mentioned earlier.
According to the announced specifications, the drone can remain airborne for up to 20 minutes and strike at a distance of 8 kilometers. While this range is not excessively large, it is sufficient for eliminating enemy assault groups, for example.
The drone is controlled via a radio channel; furthermore, a variant of the drone is currently being developed that will be controlled via an optical cable, which could significantly increase the strike range and make the drone resistant to electronic warfare measures.
An interesting feature is the presence of a proximity sensor, which allows programming the detonation at a distance of 20 centimeters to 5 meters from the target. Compared to a contact detonator, this increases the debris spread radius, and in the case of detonation triggered by pressing a button on the remote, it allows the operator to focus on piloting the drone rather than worrying about the timing of button presses.
However, using the proximity sensor could lead to detonation during takeoff, potentially injuring or even killing the pilot. Therefore, the detonator is activated only after a short delay post-takeoff.
Additionally, the drone features landing gear that facilitates a smooth takeoff and, in the event of a mission cancellation, allows for a safe landing and future reuse of the drone.