The Turkish defense industry sector has developed a new technical concept to increase the efficiency and use of FPV kamikaze drones on the military battlefield, named the MERKÜT Şarjör system. This system was created by SAVX, a subsidiary of Titra Teknoloji operating under the umbrella of Pasifik Teknoloji, with the aim of facilitating the storage and rapid preparation of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The new system relies on an idea similar to an ammunition magazine in traditional weapons; the drones are arranged vertically inside dedicated racks. Once the top drone launches on its mission, the next drone automatically moves to take its place, becoming ready for immediate launch or for executing consecutive missions without interruption.
Operational Capabilities and Field Specifications
Each magazine contains 8 MERKÜT kamikaze drones, with the possibility of integrating 4 magazine units within concrete fortifications, bringing the total number of drones ready for operation to 32. The system is characterized by the ability to be installed inside fortifications or even buried underground and camouflaged, with support for remote operation without the need for human presence near it during launch.
Reducing Operator Burden and Increasing Flexibility
Traditional methods of using FPV drones require complex operations including transport and manual preparation before each mission, which imposes an operational burden on forces working in the field. The magazine system addresses these challenges by organizing storage operations and facilitating sequential access to the drones.
What does this development represent in the field?
The system contributes to reducing the time required for combat preparation and simplifying field logistics for drones, in addition to providing an element of surprise through remote control from hidden locations. This technical concept appeared for the first time during the "Ateş Serbest" military exercises in Turkey, reflecting a technical trend toward advanced automation for guided flight systems in the field.