Global InformationSTM Kargu information
| STM Kargu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Loitering munition |
| National origin | Turkey |
| Manufacturer | STM |
| First flight | 2017 |
| Introduction | 2020 |
| Primary users | Turkish Armed Forces Azerbaijani Armed Forces
|
STM Kargu is a small portable rotary wing loitering munition produced in Turkey by STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş.) that has been designed for asymmetric warfare or counter-insurgency. It can be carried by a single personnel in both autonomous and manual modes. KARGU can be effectively used against static or moving targets through its real-time image processing capabilities and machine learning algorithms embedded on the platform. The system consists of the rotary wing attack drone and ground control unit.[1]
In 2020 a STM Kargu loaded with explosives detected and attacked LNA forces in Libya with its artificial intelligence without command, according to a report from the United Nations Security Council's Panel of Experts on Libya, published in March 2021. It was considered the first drone attack in history carried out by the UAVs on their own initiative.[2][3]
In Turkish, Kargu means “mountain observation tower” because these drones were initially designed as an airborne sentry or surveillance tool.[4]
- ^ "KARGU® Rotary Wing Attack Drone Loitering Munition System". 30 October 2020.
- ^ Froelich, Paula (29 May 2021). "Killer drone 'hunted down a human target' without being told to". New York Post. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ Dettmer, Jamie (7 June 2021). "Possible First Use of AI-Armed Drones Triggers Alarm Bells". Voice of America. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Turkey's Terminator – The Mackenzie Institute".