The Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) signed two research and development contracts, one with Roketsan and Aselsan, one with Tübitak, for the development of two ramjet powered missiles, respectively the Gökbora and the Gökhan, that should give Turkey a Meteor-like capability in air-to-air engagements for the country next generation fighter, and for existing manned and unmanned aircraft
The aim of SSB is to develop two beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) that, while being both powered by a ramjet, have however a major different in propulsion; the Gökbora is powered by a solid-state motor while the ramjet that powers the Gökhan is liquid fuelled. EDR On-Line understands that once the two missiles will reach prototype stage, comparison trials will be conducted, which will lead to the final selection.
The first to be unveiled on Day 2 at IDEF was the Roketsan missile. The Gökbora is 3.75 metres long, has a diameter of 180 mm and a range in excess of 100 100 NM; by comparison with the Meteor BVRAAM its mass should be approximately 197 kg. Inertial navigation and a datalink between the launch platform and the missile provide mid-course navigation. When close to the target the RF seeker is activated; this will be an active electronically scanned array seeker known as AGRAS 3101/AA, which is being developed by Aselsan and Roketsan under the auspices of SSB. According to information gathered at IDEF the Gökbora ramjet should be based on boron-loaded solid fuel.
While not clearly visible on the model, the missile brochure shows well that rear fins are foldable, which would help in hosting the missile inside a weapons’ bay, eventually increasing the number of missiles, allowing the aircraft to maintain a “clean” configuration; this will be of importance for integrating it in the Kaan 5th generation fighter and in the Kizilelma combat UAV weapon bays. No data on speed and manoeuvrability were provided. According to information gathered at IDEF, the work on the Gökbora missile started in mid-2024, the programme being developed actively, Roketsan aiming to start trials as soon as possible.
The Gökhan remained under veil until Day 4 in the afternoon, when it was finally shown to the public. The programme was started in May 2021 with the signature of a development contract between the Ministry of National Defense and Tübitak SAGE for what was known as the “National Ramjet Powered Air-Air Missile Development Project”, an amendment to this contract being signed at IDEF 2025 for a long-range version of the missile.
No dimensional data nor range figures were provided by Tübitak, the data sheet indicating a speed in excess of Mach 3 and a wide engagement envelope, thanks also to the active thrust setting control. The Gökhan is fitted with a GPS/INS navigation system, an advanced solid-state active radar seeking providing guidance in the last attack phase; this might be a development of the Aselsan Murad family of radars.
A two-way encrypted datalink allows retargeting and handover capability. The warhead is described as an “indigenous design for high lethality requirements,” no more details being provided. The Gökhan will be compatible with the Kaan internal bay and external stations, as well as with the F-16 external stations. Looking at mock-ups and images the Tübitak missile seems to lack the foldable fins of its competitor.
According to information provided by Tübitak, the conceptual design phase and preliminary design phase have been completed, and the ground trials phase is currently underway, flight and firing tests being expected soon.
When SSB will make its selection, Turkey will enter the BVRAAM market, becoming a serious competitor for the European Meteor missile.
Photos by M. Gyürösi and P. Valpolini