Turkey's Ramjet Propelled Air-to-Air Missile for F-16s to be Tested Soon

An F-16 fighter will soon test-fire Turkey’s GÖKHAN ramjet propelled air-to-air missile.

The missile was developed by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK SAGE) under the GÖKTUĞ project.

“Work on the GÖKHAN project is at a very good point. Soon, we will start with the first land firings and then move on to firing the missile from air platforms. I can say that the GÖKHAN missile is ahead of its schedule,” TÜBİTAK SAGE Manager Gürcan Okumuş was quoted as saying by Turkish news outlet M5.

GÖKHAN will be armed on the U.S.-made F-16 and Turkey’s National Combat Aircraft TF-X. GÖKHAN ramjet engine will bring advantages similar to MBDA’s Meteor missile. This supersonic beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) is expected to have an operational range of 100 km, and the “no-escape zone” might be around 60 km.