Roketsan Introduced Three New Laser-Guided Solutions At The SAHA EXPO
Roketsan, Turkey’s leading manufacturer of rocket and missile systems, launched three new products, the LG-155 Laser Guided Artillery Ammunition, the L-OMTAS Laser Guided Medium Range Anti-Tank Weapon System, and the PUSU Weapon System, at the SAHA EXPO Defence, Aerospace, and Space Industry Fair, held at the Istanbul Expo Centre between October 22 and 26. The features of the new weapon systems were announced by Murat Ikinci, General Manager of Roketsan, during a press conference held before the exhibition.
The LG-155 Laser Guided Artillery Ammunition
Roketsan LG-155 is a Laser laser-guided artillery Ammunition designed for 155mm Self-propelled Howitzers produced by the Turkish defense industry, especially T-155 FIRTINA and FIRTINA-II. The 50kg, 155mm, and 1.2m long artillery ammunition has a minimum range of 7km and a maximum range of 25km. The ammunition, which has a Circular Error probable (CEP) of less than 5m according to the manufacturer, provides high precision against artillery systems, air defense systems, radar positions, command, control, and communication systems, logistics facilities, assembly areas and moving critical targets thanks to its inertially assisted laser guidance system.
Murat Ikinci, Roketsan’s General Manager, said that the LG-155’s first firing tests were successfully carried out and that they plan to prepare it to enter the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory as soon as possible.
The L-OMTAS Laser Guided Medium Range Anti-Tank Weapon System
L-OMTAS is a laser-guided version of the OMTAS medium-range anti-tank weapon system, which the Turkish Land Forces have used since 2017 and exported to Kosovo last year. The L-OMTAS Weapon System comprises the launch system (missile, launch platform, and fire control unit), transport crates, and a training simulator. It can be utilized on its tripod platform or integrated with ground platforms. The system, which has different warhead options, including tandem high explosive, anti-tank blast, fragmentation, and thermobaric, can be used against a wide range of targets such as tanks, armored vehicles, combat vehicles, and concrete bunkers. The L-OMTAS anti-tank missile has a range of 5.5km, a diameter of 160mm, a length of 1.7m, and a weight of approximately 35kg.
The PUSU Weapon System
Pusu is a weapon system that can be integrated into pick-up-type vehicles. Pusu, which will constitute a critical force multiplier in anti-tank defense with its low cost and high mobility compared to Roketsan, consists of a capsule containing four ready-to-fire Laser Guided CİRİT missiles and ASELSAN’s Karakurt electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, which includes a laser designator for rocket guidance.
The system is controlled by a pair of two consoles in the vehicle, such as missile firing and locking. In addition, after the 70mm CİRİT Missile, which has a range of 8km, is fired from the PUSU Vehicle, the necessary laser marking can also be performed by other friendly elements such as an SF operator, uncrewed aerial vehicle, and helicopter. These systems, which have already started to be delivered to the Turkish armed forces, are expected to be actively used, especially in operations carried out in countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Libya.
In addition to these three new laser-guided solutions, Roketsan exhibited more than 30 products, including the LEVENT Close Air Defence System, AKYA torpedo, SİPER BLOCK-2, and ÇAKIR cruise missile, to the participants at SAHA EXPO. Pointing out that with the knowledge and experience they have gained in rocket and missile systems for 36 years, they are increasing their capabilities day by day and shaping the technologies of the future, Ikıncı, General Manager of Roketsan, said: “as a company that draws its strength from the Turkish nation, we will continue to strengthen the defense of our country with our wide range of products and make our future secure.”