Turkish Bayraktar Akinci UAV completes first long-range strike test with IHA-230 supersonic missiles.

On November 13, 2024, the Turkish manufacturer Baykar announced the successful test of a new supersonic missile on its Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). During the trial, the Akinci UCAV launched two IHA-230 supersonic missiles, accurately striking targets 155 kilometers away. This test highlights the UCAV’s ability to conduct long-range, precision-guided attacks. The IHA-230 missile, designed by Roketsan, is an air-to-surface ballistic missile capable of engaging land and sea-based assets at ranges over 150 kilometers, depending on launch altitude and speed.
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The IHA-230 missile integrates GNSS-supported inertial guidance and a fire-and-forget capability, which enables it to operate autonomously after release. (Picture source: Baykar)

The IHA-230 missile integrates GNSS-supported inertial guidance and a fire-and-forget capability, which enables it to operate autonomously after release. Its operational range, subject to variations based on altitude and speed at the point of release, allows it to hit various target types from a distance, minimizing exposure to adversarial air defense systems. With a 42-kilogram warhead and fragmentation, armor-piercing, and thermobaric warhead options, the missile is designed to engage air defense radars, communication infrastructures, command centers, lightly armored land or sea vehicles, and personnel.

Before launch, the missile conducts in-flight preparations onboard the UCAV and, after being dropped, initiates its solid fuel motor autonomously, achieving supersonic speeds. Its design includes a feature for maintaining stability during flight through rear fins that rotate to counteract rolling, enhancing missile trajectory control. This configuration aligns with stabilization technologies observed in certain air-to-air missiles used by various military forces.

Baykar’s recent test of the IHA-230 builds on previous trials with other Turkish-developed munitions, including the Tolun IIR. Developed by Aselsan, the Tolun IIR is a guided munition equipped with an imaging infrared seeker head, intended to engage targets up to 80 kilometers away. In a recent test, the Bayraktar Akinci launched three Tolun IIR munitions from an altitude of 22,000 feet, hitting an armored personnel carrier at the Konya Firing Test and Evaluation Center. The Tolun incorporates a two-way data link for real-time guidance, which allows operators to maintain oversight of the target until impact. This live image transfer capability can support precision in dynamic situations. The integration of the Tolun with the Akinci UCAV provides a medium-range strike option for varied operational requirements.

The Bayraktar Akinci has also been tested with the IHA-122 missile, developed in collaboration with Roketsan as a supersonic air-launched ballistic missile with TV and laser-guided variants. The IHA-122 is designed to engage both stationary and mobile targets, such as air defense installations, command centers, and communication sites. Initial tests of the IHA-122 have demonstrated its performance in various conditions, with real-time image transmission to the command center, enabling tracking and post-strike assessment of target impact. The guidance options provided by the IHA-122 support its use in tactical scenarios requiring long-range, rapid deployment against defended or high-value assets.

The Bayraktar Akinci UCAV itself, in service with the Turkish Armed Forces since 2021, has a maximum takeoff weight of over 5.5 tons and a payload capacity exceeding 1,350 kilograms, enabling it to carry the IHA-230 and similar munitions. The UCAV is powered by twin turboprop engines, and its design includes advanced electronic warfare capabilities, dual satellite communication, and radar systems. Its integration allows operators to engage in standoff strikes and Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD/DEAD) operations without breaching enemy airspace.

The Akinci has been exported to multiple countries, including Pakistan, which acquired units in 2023. As of recent data, Baykar has conducted further integration tests with domestically produced munitions, such as the Tolun IIR and various guided bombs, and completed numerous flight hours with Akinci variants in domestic and international contexts. Baykar’s export strategy continues to focus on UCAVs like the Akinci, with ongoing agreements in place with over 30 countries, which has positioned Turkey as a notable supplier in the global drone market.

The operational capability of the Akinci UCAV, paired with the IHA-230 missile and other munitions, broadens the Turkish Armed Forces’ aerial capabilities, particularly for precision strikes on strategically significant targets. The IHA-230 has the potential to impact a wide range of mission profiles, providing Turkey and its defense clients with an expanded range of aerial engagement options within high-risk or defended airspaces.