Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has introduced the Mızrak loitering munition at SAHA EXPO 2026 in Istanbul, expanding its unmanned systems portfolio with a long-range autonomous weapon designed for deep surface-to-surface strikes and armed surveillance missions. With an operational range of more than 1,000 kilometers and an endurance exceeding seven hours, the new system places Baykar in a category currently associated with platforms such as Iran’s Shahed-136 and Israel’s Harop.
The Mızrak, whose name means “spear” in Turkish, marks another step in Baykar’s effort to build a full-spectrum unmanned combat ecosystem beyond the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı, two platforms that helped reshape the global drone market over the past decade. Its public debut in Istanbul highlights the company’s ambition to offer systems covering multiple phases of modern warfare, from reconnaissance and targeting to long-range precision attack.
Baykar is presenting the munition in two main configurations. The heavier strike variant carries two 40-kilogram twin warheads, while the precision version is fitted with a single 20-kilogram warhead and a radio-frequency seeker for more accurate target detection. Both versions share the same airframe, featuring a four-meter wingspan, a maximum takeoff weight of 200 kilograms, and interchangeable electro-optical and infrared cameras developed in-house for reconnaissance missions.
The system is designed to operate at a service ceiling of 10,000 feet and reach maximum speeds of around 185 km/h. One of its most significant features is its navigation architecture: an artificial intelligence-enabled autopilot that does not depend on GPS, relying instead on optical guidance and autonomous visual positioning to navigate, identify, and engage targets in heavily contested electromagnetic environments.
That GPS-independent capability gives the Mızrak particular relevance for current battlefields, where electronic warfare systems in Ukraine and the Middle East have proven effective against satellite-guided munitions. By reducing reliance on external navigation signals, Baykar is positioning the system as a more resilient option for strike missions in areas where jamming and spoofing are expected.
The loitering munition also includes an 80-kilometer line-of-sight communications range and a data link compatible with the Bayraktar TB2, TB3, and Akıncı. This allows the Mızrak to operate as part of Baykar’s existing combat architecture, functioning not only as a standalone weapon but also as a connected node within a broader unmanned operations network.
For launch operations, the Mızrak does not require a conventional runway. Its rocket-assisted takeoff system enables deployment from unprepared terrain, increasing its flexibility for expeditionary operations and dispersed launch sites. With this presentation at SAHA EXPO 2026, Baykar is seeking to reinforce its position as one of the leading players in the next generation of autonomous unmanned strike systems.
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