KERKES gives Turkey capability to operate drones in GPS-denied environment

20th October 2022 - 16:00 GMT | by Tayfun Özberk in Istanbul

RSS

Rendering of a KERKES-equipped UAV. (Image: STM Defence)

With the help of AI and object recognition technology, KERKES helps UAVs perform missions in environments where there is no GPS coverage or active RF jamming.

STM Defence has delivered the KERKES GPS-independent autonomous navigation system to the Turkish military, enabling drone swarms to be controlled in contested electromagnetic environments.

STM launched KERKES in 2019 with support from the Turkish defence procurement agency SSB. The project sought to enable accurate location data and mission execution by using object recognition technology and AI with deep-learning capabilities.

With KERKES, a UAV begins its mission with a pre-loaded map. The map is then compared with data gathered during the flight.

Final acceptance testing of the system was completed in early October.

SSB chief Ismail Demir took to social media

Already have an account? Log in

Want to keep reading this article?

Read this Article

Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account

Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
2 free stories per week
Daily news round-up email service
Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters

Create account

Unlimited Access

Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.

Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
Unlimited access to all published premium news

Start your free trial

Author

Tayfun Özberk

Tayfun Ozberk is a former naval officer who is an expert in surface warfare, particularly …

Read full bio

More from Uncrewed Vehicles

Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system

Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments

Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS

The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024

AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards

The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official

Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.