The fifth prototype of KIZILELMA (PT-5), not long after its tests with MURAD 100-A AESA radar and TOYGUN 100 EOTS, performed a linked flight test for telemetry evaluation of GÖKDOĞAN BVRAAMs fitted on external hardpoints. GÖKDOĞAN BVRAAM and BOZDOĞAN BVRAAM, coupled with the MURAD 100-A AESA radar, will provide KIZILELMA with air-to-air capabilities on the league of modern fighter jets.
While KIZILELMA remains slower than a full-sized fighter jet due to its current engine, future versions with more powerful engines to provide better thrust-to-weight ratio are expected to close this gap. Speed and altitude are important factors on an air-to-air missile's range due to them being the first launch conditions. However, on the sensor side, MURAD 100-A (Later to be swapped out for reduced probability of intercept variant MURAD 200-A) AESA radar will provide KIZILELMA the needed capabilities to use BVRAAMs effectively when it comes to tracking and midcourse updates, as seen from the recent test.
GÖKDOĞAN BVRAAM
GÖKDOĞAN was developed to establish an indigenous capability in BVRAAM development and production by TÜBİTAK SAGE. While GÖKDOĞAN’s launch platforms were initially planned as F-16s and, in the future, KAAN fighters, unmanned aircraft to use MURAD line of AESA radars like KIZILELMA, AKINCI have been added to the list as well.
The missile, using a solid-state active radar seeker and laser proximity fuse, has an officially stated effective range of 65+ km.
A notable test of GÖKDOĞAN from 2024 involved a direct hit on a target UAV at a high off-boresight angle and acceleration.
Other Air-to-Air Missiles for KIZILELMA
KIZILELMA is set to use three other air-to-air missiles in addition to GÖKDOĞAN.
The one sooner to come than the others is the BOZDOĞAN WVRAAM, developed alongside GÖKDOĞAN to serve as the main short-range missile. Compared to its counterparts, IIR-guided BOZDOĞAN’s larger size (140 kg weight versus most counterparts at ~90 kg) brings a more powerful rocket motor, allowing a maximum speed of Mach 4.
Other missiles that are likely to come after GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN to form the base air-to-air capabilities are GÖKHAN, liquid fuel ramjet-powered BVRAAM of TÜBTİAK SAGE, and GÖKBORA, solid fuel ramjet-powered BVRAAM of ROKETSAN. During IDEF2025, an agreement was signed to increase the former’s range to serve as an extreme-range option. Both BVRAAMs have designs optimised for internal bays, with GÖKHAN using clipped fins and GÖKBORA using partially folding fins. Ramjet propulsion offers conserved speed over longer ranges compared to traditional rocket-powered air-to-air missiles.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
