Roketsan Shaping the Future with New Product Releases
The 2.75 in (70 mm) Laser-Guided Cirit Missile
The 2.75 in (70 mm) Laser-Guided Cirit Missile has been designed by Roketsan as a high-precision and cost-effective solution, for use from attack helicopters against light armored vehicles as well as stationary and moving targets; it is qualified in its catagory as the first ever mass-produced guided missile. Aside from being a primary ammunition system aboard the T-129 Atak helicopter, the Cirit can also be used on the AT-802 border security aircraft and the AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter. The Cirit can also be integrated into diverse platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles, land vehicles, stationary land platforms, light assault aircraft and naval platforms. It is also the first guided missile to enter service in the armed forces of a number of allied countries as part of mass-production contracts. The first export of the Cirit was in 2013 to the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates.
Some of the distinguishing features of the Cirit are its ease of integration, an 8 km extended range, midcourse guidance using MEMS-INS, terminal guidance using semi-active laser seeker, insensitive munitions, multi-purpose warhead (armor piercing, anti-personnel and incendiary) and high-explosive warhead. The design of intelligent pod systems to meet customer requirements is possible.
An MoU was entered into between Roketsan and MBDA Germany at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2014 to integrate the Cirit missile into the Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter used by the German armed forces. Per the agreement signed, a preliminary study will be conducted for the integration effort, to be followed by a proposal for a solution that targets the specific needs of the German Bundeswehr.
The Long-Range Anti-Tank Missile Mızrak-U
Primarily developed for use by attack helicopters against heavy armored main battle tanks at ranges up to 8 km, the Mızrak-U also finds viable use on aerial, land and naval platforms as a long-range anti-tank missile. The original program was launched to procure a long-range anti-tank missile for the Turkish Armed Forces; the program mission was described as the destruction of armored and mechanized enemy troops, as well as halting, delaying and channelling their advances. Capable of operating under all weather conditions day and night, the Mızrak-U boasts fire-and-forget guidance.
The missile also has a fire-and-update mode for flexibility in updating target designation, allowing for firing from behind terrain masks and firing against targets concealed behind terrain masks, accurate adjustment of the point of impact, and damage assesment capability. Mızrak-U may be used against both stationary and mobile targets.
Being one of the primary ammunition systems aboard the assault and tactical reconnaissance helicopter T-129 Atak, the Mızrak-U can also be integrated into other platforms including UAVs, land vehicles, stationary platforms, light assault aircraft, and naval platforms. The missile has the option for two types of seekers: laser and thermal imaging infrared. Equipped with advanced technologies, both configurations have powerful destructive effect on all types of armored threats. Both the laser seeker variant of the Mızrak-U and the laser-guided 2.75 in Cirit missile can can be cued by the same designator and can be fired from the same launcher.
The Mızrak-U is effective against main battle tanks, with several features that make it superior than competing anti-tank systems. The system was developed for stressing environmental and climatic conditions, and tested against military standards for applicable environmental factors; in February 2014, a 100% precision strike accuracy was achieved on test firing from helicopter using infrared seeker. Missile qualification tests are on-going, and mass-production is being planned to start in 2015.
The Mid-Range Anti-Tank Missile Mızrak-O
Having features similar to the Mızrak-U, the Mızrak-O is a mid-range anti-tank missile system. The missile is highly effective against all types of armored threats in the battlefield, thanks to its advanced technologies. Developed primarily for the infantry in surface-to-surface use, the Mızrak-O has a maximum range of 4 km and a minimum range of 200 meters, with ability to operate under all weather conditions day and night.
SOM (Stand-Off Missile) Cruise Missile
An air-to-surface munition system designed for use against actively protected land and naval targets, the next generation SOM cruise missile boasts a modular design to support operational flexibility. It has a 250 km extended range, low visibility, high maneuverability, and the ability to operate under all weather conditions. The missile has entered mass-production and is planned to be integrated to the F-4E Terminator 2020 and the F-16 Block 40 combat aircraft fleet of the Turkish Air Force. The SOM missile is also being targeted for use as a modern, sea-skimming cruise missile, through its integration into the new JSF (F-35) combat aircraft, as part of the joint initiative between the Turkish Air Force and the JSF program. Additionally, feasibility studies have begun towards the integration of the SOM missile into the Eurofighter Typhoon and similar new generation platforms from Airbus Defence and Space, following an agreement entered into between Roketsan and Airbus Defence and Space at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2014.
Low and Medium Altitude Air Defence Missile Systems Hisar-A and Hisar-O
Hisar-A and Hisar-O are new generation low and medium altitude air defence missile systems with advanced technological capabilities. In development by Roketsan, these systems are being designed to protect mobile and stationary land contingents against air-based threats. The missile systems are designed to provide protection against existing and emerging threats. Tactical features include fire-control system, command and control, vertical launch capability, two-stage rocket engine, infrared seeker, RF data link and multi-platform integration. The first test firing, realized in October 2013, was completed successfully. In the test, the missile separated successfully from the launcher and completed its flight at its calculated course.
The Roketsan Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) Systems
The Roketsan surface-to-surface multi-barrel rocket and missile launchers are modern fire support systems with capability for high mobility; these launcher systems support 107 mm, 122 mm and 300 mm rockets and missiles, and allow critical targets in the 3 km to 100+ km ranges to be neutralized with accurate strikes. The basic make-up of the Roketsan multi-barrel weapons systems battery includes the launcher, command and control vehicle, ammunition supply vehicle, MET vehicle (housing meteorological radar) and maintenance and repair vehicle. The systems have been designed and configured to meet diverse user requirements. Versions using tactical wheeled vehicles and tracked vehicles are designated as models T 107/122, T 122/300 and T 122.
The T-122/300 multi-purpose multi-barrel rocket launcher can fire 40 rounds of 122 mm or 4 rounds of 300 mm rockets and missiles, with the ability to perform mass lethal fire. The T-122/300 serves as a deterrent force thanks to its long range and mass fire capabilities. In addition to its standard tactical role in providing support for ground maneuver forces, it responds to a wide range of responsibilities including assault with fire support, as well as peace-time operations.
Being a modern fire support system, the T-107/122 multi-purpose multi-barrel rocket launcher system allows for an operational range from close battle area to behind the enemy lines at 40 km, allowing for the neutralization of critical targets with precision firing; it uses 107 mm and 122 mm rockets and features high mobility. T-107/122 system has been designed with shoot-and-scoot tactical maneuvers in mind. For both ammunition types, sealed and thermally insulated and tropicalized pods are used. This provides protection against adverse environmental conditions during storage and field use; additionally, launcher reloading is handled with ease and reloading time is minimized. Thanks to their modular and flexible configuration, the Roketsan MBRL systems also possess the capability to use rockets and guided munitions to be developed in the future. Support is provided for munitions of multiple calibers and different types of warheads.
Antisubmarine Defence Warfare Rocket and Launcher System
The Antisubmarine Defence Warfare rocket has been developed for use against subsurface targets from surface platforms, at a range of 500 to 2,000 meters and a depth of 15 to 300 meters; it functions through integration with the weapons management system and the sonar associated with the surface platform, and features automatic direction capability. The system can be fired at targets in single or burst fire modes, and detonation at a desired depth can be achieved with remotely activated fuze.
The ASW rocket possesses a high-explosive warhead with insensitive munitions, a desirable feature in modern munitions. The launcher system has such features as stabilization and automatic and manual direction. The fire control system calculates the required firing parameters using navigation and target data acquired from the surface platform.
Ballistic Protection Center
Roketsan has recently placed into operation its Ballistic Protection Center to meet the ballistic protection needs of both military and civilian platforms. The Center is tasked with the design and development of the indigenous armor system to be used in the Turkish main battle tank Altay.
Conclusion
Roketsan, with its expert personnel and strong corporate foundation, has the capabilities required for the design, production and materials and system testing of light and heavy armored vehicles, aerial and naval platforms and perimeter protection solutions, compliant with national and international standards.
