ASELSAN is preparing to move its TOYGUN Electro-Optical Targeting System and KARAT Infrared Search and Track System into serial production in 2026, marking a critical step for Türkiye’s next-generation combat aircraft sensor ecosystem.
The development was highlighted in ASELSAN’s 2025 Annual Report, which detailed the company’s key technological progress and completed project milestones. According to report-based information, both TOYGUN and KARAT were developed for next-generation manned and unmanned air platforms and are planned to enter serial production in 2026.
The two systems were integrated into the Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft last year and completed their first flight activities. ASELSAN has also started System Integration Laboratory activities for the integration of TOYGUN and KARAT with Türkiye’s KAAN fighter jet, with flight activities targeted in 2026.
TOYGUN: Türkiye’s Low-Observable Targeting Sensor
TOYGUN is a platform-integrated electro-optical targeting system designed for low-observable manned and unmanned combat aircraft.
Unlike external targeting pods, TOYGUN is integrated into the aircraft body. This is especially important for stealth-oriented platforms because it helps preserve low radar visibility while providing targeting, reconnaissance and tracking capabilities.
The system is designed to support both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions. In air-to-surface operations, TOYGUN can provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance support, while also offering target tracking and laser designation capabilities.
According to open-source technical reporting, TOYGUN features a high-resolution MWIR thermal camera with 1280×1024 resolution, a 35 km laser rangefinder/designator, automatic target recognition, single and multi-target tracking, and mechanical plus optical stabilization.
In a recent performance verification test on Bayraktar KIZILELMA, TOYGUN successfully tracked a moving vehicle on a highway, demonstrating its ability to maintain a stable lock on dynamic targets.
KARAT: Passive Detection for Next-Generation Air Combat
KARAT is an Infrared Search and Track system developed for manned and unmanned combat aircraft, fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, and UAV/UCAV systems.
The system is designed to detect, search and track aerial targets through their infrared signature. This gives aircraft an important passive detection capability, especially against low radar cross-section targets.
Unlike radar, an IRST system does not emit signals that can be detected by enemy radar warning receivers. This makes KARAT particularly valuable for stealth-oriented air combat, where passive detection can provide a tactical advantage.
TurDef reports that KARAT will provide passive detection capability for KAAN against aircraft, especially low-RCS targets, and may also support mid-course guidance for air-to-air missiles.
KARAT has already demonstrated important performance on Bayraktar KIZILELMA. In a validation test reported by Defence Blog, the system detected a passenger aircraft at a range of 110 km, showing its ability to track aerial targets at tactically relevant distances.
KAAN, KIZILELMA and the Turkish Sensor Ecosystem
The integration of TOYGUN and KARAT is important not only for ASELSAN but also for Türkiye’s broader aviation roadmap.
Both systems are expected to serve as key sensor components for next-generation platforms such as KAAN, Bayraktar KIZILELMA and potentially ANKA-III. Tests conducted on KIZILELMA are also contributing to the development and integration process for KAAN and other low-observable aircraft.
Together with ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar and other self-protection systems, TOYGUN and KARAT will help create a fully integrated sensor architecture for Turkish combat aircraft.
This architecture will give future platforms the ability to detect, identify, track and engage targets through multiple sensor channels, including radar, infrared and electro-optical systems.
Strategic Importance
The planned serial production of TOYGUN and KARAT in 2026 shows that Türkiye is moving beyond platform development alone and is also building the advanced mission systems required for fifth-generation and unmanned combat aircraft.
For KAAN and KIZILELMA, these systems are not optional subsystems. They are critical elements that directly affect survivability, targeting performance, passive detection capability and mission effectiveness.
With TOYGUN and KARAT, ASELSAN is strengthening Türkiye’s ability to produce advanced airborne sensor systems domestically and reduce dependency on foreign electro-optical and infrared tracking technologies.
