Another successful test of Turkey’s first medium-range air-to-air missile

The GÖKDOĞAN missile was successfully launched by a Turkish Air Force (TuAF) F-16 and shot down an aerial target, during a test firing round.

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1️⃣ GÖKDOĞAN görülmeyeni de vuracak!

GÖKTUĞ Projemiz kapsamında testleri süren milli hava-hava füzelerimizden #GÖKDOĞAN Görüş Ötesi Füzemiz, radar arayıcı başlıkla atışını gerçekleştirdi ve önemli bir aşama daha tamamlandı. ?

➡️ @SageTubitak pic.twitter.com/GXvM4LPV8a

— İsmail Demir (@profismaildemir) July 10, 2022

The GÖKDOĞAN missile is being developed by Turkey within the GÖKTUĞ program, which comprises the creation of a medium-range air-to-air missile, the aforementioned GÖKDOĞAN, and a short-range, self-defense missile, called BOZDOĞAN.

The intention of the GÖKTUĞ program is to create a family of indigenously developed air combat missiles to replace the U.S.-origin Sidewinder and AMRAAM missiles and thus reduce Turkey’s dependence on the purchase of foreign weaponry.

During the test firing, the GÖKDOĞAN missile was launched from the wing rail of an F-16 against an aerial target. Upon firing, the missile was diverted to coordinates predetermined by the aircraft’s radar. In the intermediate phase of flight, the missile received updated target information via its datalink. A few kilometers from the target, the missile’s own active search radar took over terminal guidance and led to successful interception.

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Air-to-air missile beyond visual range GÖKDOĞAN

According to information released by the SAGE company (Turkish national defense conglomerate) which is in charge of the GÖKTUĞ project, the GÖKDOĞAN has the following features:

• Solid state active search radar
• Advanced counter-countermeasures (ECCM) and «Home-on-Jam» capability (attacks the source of jamming)
• All-weather, All-aspect & multiple target engagement capability
• High-thrust, low-smoke solid fuel technology
• Fully electronic rocket motor ignition and safe arming system, with high level of reliability and safety
• Compatible with NATO/NATO interfaces type MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-1760

According to Imair Demir, president of the Turkish military-industrial complex, the Block 1 version of the GÖKDOĞAN will begin delivery to the Turkish Air Force this year. This version has a maximum range of 67 km.

If development proceeds smoothly, production of the Block 2 version, with an increased range in excess of 100 km, should begin during 2023. Finally, Block 3 missiles with a range of more than 185 km should start to be delivered during 2024.