By İbrahim SÜNNETÇİ & Saffet UYANIK

The development of the HİSAR Missile Family's new member, HİSAR-RF, still continues, and under the project, 2 different HİSAR-RF Controlled Test Missiles (CTM) were fired in July 2021. Since the Seeker Guided Test Missile (SGTM, IIR/RF Seeker enabled but no warhead) was used in the last firing test, which was reported to the press, I believe that the Guided Test Missile (GTM, dual pulse rocket motor and TVC capability) was also fired before this test as part of the HİSAR Project.

The HİSAR-RF Missile, whose clear image was shared for the first time in the short video of the firing test shared by the SSB, scored a direct hit on the jet-powered Banshee Jet 80+ High-Speed Aerial Target Drone (simulating the hostile air target) from the rear right side (hit-to-kill, an important detail to show the accuracy of the Active RF Seeker). It was clearly seen that the right wing and tail of the Banshee Target Drone were severed after the hit, and it started to lose altitude uncontrollably.

The firing test and qualification process of the HİSAR-O+ Missile System's RF Seeker version (HİSAR-RF) is planned to be completed by the end of 2022, and the first delivery will be made. Thus, the HİSAR-O+ System will have the ability to launch both the HİSAR-O+ and the HİSAR-RF Missiles by the end of 2022.

Differences Between HİSAR Family and SİPER Block-I Missile

In our previous reports, we pointed out that the HİSAR-RF Missile, although based on the HİSAR-O+, has a different body and fin design. After the short video of the firing test shared by the SSB, it has become certain that HİSAR-RF resembles the SİPER Blok-I Missile's external design rather than HİSAR-O+. Under the SİPER National Long-Range Air Defence Missile System Project (formerly HİSAR-U), which is expected to enter service in 2023, the first controlled fire test with the Controlled Test Missile (CTM, with auto-pilot control but without the seeker and the Thrust Vector Control-TVC system in the tail section) was carried out from the Sinop Missile Test Range towards the Black Sea on 5 November 2021.

Featuring a longer body due to extended range requirements compared to the existing HİSAR missiles, SİPER Block-I has high G-tolerance and maneuvering capability, a Dual-Pulse motor, and the same RF Seeker used in HİSAR-RF. In the short video of the firing test shared on November 6, the SİPER Block-I was equipped with a booster similar to the one used on the ATMACA Anti-Ship Missile. There are also a number of differences between the HİSAR-RF Missile, which was previously tested without a seeker, and the SİPER Block-I CTM. It features a different control surface and tail fin design.

Speaking at the "4th Traditional Lagari Aviation and Defence Days" event held on May 7, 2021, ROKETSAN Business Development Manager Murat SİLAV stated that the length of the HİSAR-A Missile is 3.8m, and the HİSAR-O Missile is 4.2m. The HİSAR-O+ canister displayed at the ROKETSAN booth at IDEF '21 Fair was 550mm in width, 4.770mm in length (120mm longer compared to HİSAR-O), and 685mm in height (45mm higher compared to HİSAR-O). The full weight of the HİSAR-O+ canister, with a total volume of 1.8m3, was given as 595 ±10kg. I have also learned that the HİSAR-RF Missile has the same dimensions as the HİSAR-O+.

HİSAR-O+ and HİSAR-O Canisters

In the light of this information, it can be said that there is a slight increase in the length, height, and weight of the HİSAR-O+ Missile compared to the HİSAR-O. Since the length of the HİSAR-O Missile with a canister length of 4,650mm is given as 4.2m, I believe the total length of the HİSAR-O+ Missile with a canister length of 4,770mm is approximately 4.31m. As I wrote above, based on the information that the HİSAR-RF Missile is the same size as the HİSAR-O+, as stated by the sources close to the project, my estimation of the total length for both missiles are approximately 4.31m.

Resembling the HİSAR-RF Missile in appearance, the SİPER Block-I Missile has a longer body and features a booster similar to the one used in the ATMACA Missile. According to ROKETSAN data, the ATMACA booster is 90cm long (total length of ATMACA Missile is given as 5.2m with the booster and 4.3m without the booster in ROKETSAN Product Catalogue).

Based on our study using the SIPER Block-I images, the missile's length is approximately 4.7m. Together with the booster, we estimate the total length of the SİPER Block-I Missile is around 5.7m. Considering these dimensions, both the HİSAR Family and the SİPER Block-I Missile will be launched from the National Vertical Launching System (MİDLAS), which was first announced to be used on the TCG Istanbul Frigate, and first firing tests will be carried out this year. It was stated that MİDLAS would be 30 cm longer than the Mk-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) Tactical-length module (6.7m long), which is currently in service with the Turkish Navy.