GÖKTUĞ is a Turkish program by TÜBİTAK-SAGE to develop four variants of air-to-air missiles that are to be launched from F-16s as well as future Turkish indigenous Hürjets and TF-Xs. These missiles are going to be Turkey's first indigenous air-to-air missiles.[1][2] Bozdoğan (Merlin) is short-range infrared homing missile and Gökdoğan (Peregrine) is a beyond-visual-range active radar homing missile.[3][4]
The Bozdoğan and Gökdoğan missiles were successfully flight-tested in 2018.[5] These missiles are planned to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM respectively on Turkey's crewed warplanes,[6] and are also planned to be integrated on Bayraktar AKINCI and Bayraktar Kızılelma, indigenously developed Turkish UCAVs.[7]
Bozdoğan (Merlin)
The Bozdoğan WVRAAM (Within Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile) will use an off-boresight capable IIR (Imaging infrared) seeker with all aspect engagement capability and counter-countermeasure capability. It will have High thrust reduced smoke solid propellant technology and an electronic rocket motor aiming and firing system. According to the manufacturer, it will have advanced agility due to use of thrust vectoring, a unique warhead for maximum probability of kill and a reliable fuze. It will be compatible with MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-1760 and is designed for use with the LAU-129 guided missile launcher.[8]
On 14 April 2021, Bozdoğan conducted a live firing test from a Turkish Air Force F-16. The missile successfully destroyed a TAI Şimşek target drone.[9]
Bozdoğan reaches a speed of greater than Mach 4.[10]
Gökdoğan (Peregrine)
The Gökdoğan is a beyond visual range air-to-air missile with an estimated range of 35–54 nmi (65–100 km) said to have a similar performance to that of the American AIM-120 AMRAAM.[11] It has a solid-state active radio frequency smart seeker with fire and forget capability and electronic counter-countermeasures and will be using all aspect engagement capable home on jam using and update-capable tactical data link to enable lock-on after launch . In the words of the manufacturer, it will have high thrust with reduced smoke solid propellant technology and completely electronic safe and reliable rocket motor arming and firing system. It too will have a design to maximize probability of kill and a reliable fuze. Gökdoğan will be compatible with MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-1760 and is designed for use with the LAU-129 guided missile launcher.[8]
Gökhan (Skykhan)
The development of an air-to-air missile powered by ramjet engine was officially announced in August 2021. The director of the TÜBİTAK SAGE Gürcan Okumuş stated the completion of more than 100 tests that carried the firing of the new ramjet engine.[12][13]