Date: Issue 82 - June 2018
Mock-ups of CIRIT (named after a traditional Turkish cavalry game) 2.75” semi-active laser (SAL) guided rocket, the Smart Micro Munition (MAM-L), SOM Next Generation Air Launched Cruise Missile Family, Anti-Tank Guided Missile Family comprising UMTAS long range and OMTAS medium range anti-tank guided missiles with SAL and IIR guidance, 122mm and 107mm unguided Artillery Rockets, T-122/300 Multi Caliber and Multi Barrel Rocket Launching (MBRL) System, TRG-300 TIGER Missile System, TEBER Laser Guidance Kit as well as ASW Rocket and Ballistic Protection Solutions are among the products being showcased at Roketsan stand.
SOM Next Generation Air Launched Cruise Missile Family
Stand Off Missile (SOM) is a next generation air launched cruise missile (ALCM) family against highly defended stationary and moving land/surface (ASuW) targets. Its modular design supports operational flexibility.
The first flight test of SOM was performed in 2011 and serial production started in 2013 under the contract between Roketsan and the Turkish MoND. As part of the serial production frame the production line qualification has been completed and the first batch of missile deliveries with the components of the SOM Missile System, including the Test & Programming Unit and the Captive & Dummy Training Missiles, have been successfully delivered. Further capability enhancement activities are still in progress within this contract.
A contract for the in-house development of a smart munition compatible with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which will be based on the existing SOM technology, was signed in 2012 between Roketsan and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM). Within this scope, SOM-J development activities besides the platform integration studies in collaboration with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the Prime Contractor of the JSF Program were initialized in 2014.
A business partnership agreement was signed with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (LMMFC) for the design, development, production and marketing of the SOM-J Weapon System in 2014 and the contract was signed in 2016. The integration activities of the F-35 are being carried out by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, and these activities are scheduled to be completed in 2023. The SOM-J, specifically developed for intensively protected targets, developed for the F-35 aircraft, for sea and land targets, will be carried inside the airframe so that the aircraft maintains a low radar signature.
The SOM ALCM provides availability for adaptation to various missions due to its open architecture software. Composite materials are used within its structure and the radar absorbing material enables low visibility. The SOM provides the advantage of smaller size and weight, compared to similar systems with a 250+km range for the SOM and a 200+km range for the SOM-J. The SOM operational concept will be enhanced by in flight re-programming and network capabilities to be enabled by the integration of a data link.
Currently, SOM ALCM supplies the selection among pre-planned missions and controllable impact points and parameters. SOM-A and SOM-B1 defeats the targets by a high explosive blast fragmentation type warhead, while SOM-B2 and SOM-J carries a dual stage tandem penetrator and a semi-armor piercing type warhead respectively. In addition to inertial navigation, global positioning and terrain referenced navigation systems SOM-B1, SOM-B2 and SOM-J are equipped with an imaging infra-red (IIR) seeker with Automatic Target Recognition/Acquisition capability. SOM-A and SOM-B1 have been certified for the F-4E 2020 and F-16 platforms and already entered Turkish Air Force (TurAF) service. Qualification and certification flight tests for the SOM-B2 are currently ongoing.
TEBER Laser Guidance Kit
Named after a historic double-sided axe, TEBER is a low-cost guidance kit that turns standard Mk-81 (250lb) and Mk-82 (500lb) series free-fall general purpose bombs into precision-guided munitions through the addition of a Laser Seeker, Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Navigation System and control fins.
TEBER’s modular design offers affordable options. An add-on Laser Seeker, which is located on the front section allows precise impact capability for moving land and surface targets even if the target is maneuvering at high speeds. The Laser Seeker may be equipped with or without a Height of Burst seeker.
The TEBER tail kit can identify the bombs (MK-81/MK-82), which are integrated, and it can be installed very quickly in the field with the Laser Seeker. Tail kit contains a GPS/Inertial Navigation System for precise guidance and aerodynamic control surfaces. Body Strakes supply additional lift and stability and the weapon maneuver capability.
TEBER offers capability against moving land and surface targets travelling at speeds of up to 110km/h and has been certified for TurAF’s F-16 fighters. Roketsan is also targeting other NATO fighter types, such as Rafale and Typhoon, as well as non-NATO platforms including the MiG-29. On the other hand, efforts for the integration of TEBER-81 and TEBER-82 on ANKA MALE UAV are currently ongoing.
MAM-L Boosts Effectiveness of UAVs
Designed, developed and produced by Roketsan in line with today’s battlefield requirements, the Smart Micro Munition (MAM-L) is primarily intended for carriage by UAVs, although it could also be employed by manned light attack and close air support aircraft.
The MAM-L, a variant of the Laser Guided L-UMTAS with Semi Active Laser (SAL) seeker of CIRIT Laser Guided Rocket has already been integrated on the Armed ANKA MALE UAV and BAYRAKTAR and KARAYEL Armed Tactical UAVs, currently being used by the Turkish Armed and Security Forces. Both BAYRAKTAR TB2-S and KARAYEL-SU UAVs have recently secured export contracts and expected to be armed with MAM-L munitions.
The MAM-L, which is being successfully used in various operations involving UAVs, stands out as a munition that has proven itself in the field.
Having a weight of 50lb/22kg and a length of 1m, the combat proven MAM-L is an unpowered smart munition with a gliding range of 8km when dropped from 12,000ft/3,657m, and can be fitted with 1okg weight high explosive blast-fragmentation, anti-tank or thermobaric warheads. The MAM-L, with high explosive blast-fragmentation warhead is highly effective against soft targets, such as light structures, unarmored ground vehicles, radar antennas and soft targets like weapon pits and personnel, with a lethal radius of 25m. The other version with tandem anti-tank warhead is effectively used against hard targets such as Main Battle Tanks.
The MAM-L can be used efficiently at ranges of up to 8km, depending on the altitude from which they are released, and the range can be extended to 14km with the optional INS/GPS Version.
Meanwhile, the fact that MAM-L is a member of the same family as the Roketsan medium range anti-tank missile OMTAS and long-range anti-tank missiles UMTAS/L-UMTAS, offers significant advantages for users in terms of training and logistics.
Roketsan is also leveraging the experience in integrating MAM-L into air platforms. As long as the air platforms have the required infrastructure, Roketsan can operationalize the MAM-L by completing all the related integration works within a few months. In the event of the infrastructure requiring additional elements, the company also offers integration support.
“The design and application concept of the MAM-L provides its users with the capability of effectively neutralizing time-critical targets, particularly those that arise during reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Meanwhile, thanks to its precision guidance and small dimensions, the MAM-L offers a solution with low collateral damage. When compared with all the other capabilities of the armed forces, a combination of the MAM-L and a tactical UAV is the most cost-effective solution. We believe that soon other countries will also start taking an interest in this solution,” Selçuk Yaşar, President and CEO of Roketsan, commented.