Turkey’s STM performs live-fire swarm strike with Kargu drones

Swarming drones are potentially the next evolution in drone warfare, with several companies pursuing this type of capability. Turkey’s STM has recently demonstrated a live-fire strike with a drone swarm, which is a development worth noting. 

BLUF: 

• STM conducted a live-fire demonstration with a swarm of 20 drones against a simulated target. 
• The technology and use case demonstrated is being pursued by several manufacturers, which will likely see the introduction of drone swarms into service in the next five years. 

STM has conducted a live-fire exercise in Polatlı, marking Turkey’s first recorded test of a coordinated UAV swarm using live ammunition. The trial, held at the General Nahit Şenoğul Firing and Training Area, involved 20 Kargu loitering munitions successfully engaging multiple targets with live ammunition, the January 27 press release states.

The exercise was designed to evaluate the autonomous capabilities and mission robustness of the swarm in a representative combat environment. Following launch, the 20 Kargu units navigated autonomously to the target area under the supervision of a single operator. Upon arrival, the swarm divided into three distinct sub-groups to conduct simultaneous strikes against various designated targets.

The system architecture employed during the Polatlı test does not rely on a central control node. Instead, the UAVs utilise a distributed control framework, communicating with each other to coordinate task sharing, timing, and mission continuity. This decentralized approach is intended to ensure that the mission can proceed even if individual platforms are lost to counter-UAS measures or electronic warfare.

The Kargu drone swarm strikes simulated personnel targets. Credit: STM.

A similar approach is taken by the Hunter-2S loitering munition system from the EDGE Group, which can divide tasks and targets autonomously during its flight and based on the drone’s own assessment of the target area.

The Kargu drone itself is a rotary-wing attack drone designed for tactical ISR and precision strikes. It features deep-learning-based computer vision for real-time object detection and tracking. While the system operates under a ‘man-in-the-loop’ principle for final engagement, the swarm intelligence software manages the complex coordination required for formation flight and collision avoidance.

The Kargu units used in the test have a mission range of approximately 10 km and an endurance of up to 30 minutes. The platforms are capable of carrying different payloads, including anti-personnel and armour-piercing warheads, which can be interchanged based on the specific requirements of the mission.

This latest trial follows the recent export of Kargu and Alpagu systems to a NATO and EU member state, where they are being integrated into battle management systems and ground vehicle launchers. 

Calibre comment: Swarming, the next shift in Unmanned warfare

The successful engagement of targets by a 20-unit swarm reflects a broader shift in the requirements for unmanned aerial systems. As defensive technologies mature, the effectiveness of individual UAVs is increasingly challenged by sophisticated detection and interception layers. Swarm operations aim to overcome these defences through saturation and synchronised timing rather than individual platform performance. It also provides the mass that uncrewed systems are hoped to bring to a force, allowing one operator to control many platforms. Although this use case is arguably closer to an artillery or rocket launcher strike. Nevertheless, the Polatlı tests provide further data on the viability of autonomous swarm technology.

However, it is worth noting that systems like the Leonidas high-powered microwave from US firm Epirus are designed, and have demonstrated the ability to bring down packs of drones simultaneously. So, drone swarms will not have it all their own way, if they do eventually make it into service. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on January 28, 2026. The lead image shows a still from video footage of the demonstration. Credit: STM.