ŞİMŞEK is an indigenous high-speed target drone designed for advanced air-to-air and ground-to-air military training operations.

# ŞİMŞEK High Speed Target Drone

The ŞİMŞEK High Speed Target Drone is an indigenous design and development program by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), initiated in 2009 to meet the growing training requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). It is intended for air-to-air, ground-to-air, and anti-aircraft training, simulating enemy aircraft and missiles.

Key Features

• Endurance: 45 minutes

• Maximum Speed: 350+ knots

• Mission Altitude: 50 ft (15 m) to 25,000 ft (7,600 m)

• Data Link Range: 120 km LOS with Ground Control Station (GCS)

• Launch: Catapult or air drop from aircraft wings

• Recovery: Parachute recovery on land or sea, capable from naval platforms

• Autonomy: Full autonomous flight including take-off, landing, waypoint programming, and fail-safe Return Home modes

• Structure: Advanced composite materials, military standard compatible

• Telemetry: Record and playback of real-time coded digital flight data, with digital map support

Payloads

• Passive Radar Cross Section Augmenter (Luneberg Lens)

• Active Radar Cross Section Augmenter

• Miss Distance Indicator (MDI)

• IR Signature Augmenter (Hot Nose)

• Automatic Identification System (AIS)

• Smoke Generator

Additional Payload Integration

• Countermeasures Dispenser System (CMDS)

Specifications

• Wingspan: 1.6 m

• Length: 2.3 m

• Height: 0.7 m

• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 70 kg (up to 90 kg from airborne carrier)

• Payload Capacity: 17 kg

Summary

The ŞİMŞEK system is designed with an open architecture allowing modification according to end-user requirements. It provides a realistic, flexible, and cost-effective training solution for the modern Turkish Armed Forces, supporting high-speed target simulation and payload versatility for enhanced mission realism.