The HISAR-RF Medium Altitude Air Defense Missile, developed with national capabilities, successfully intercepted its target during the firing tests.
The breakthrough was announced by the President of the Turkish Defense Industry Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir through his Twitter account.
Demir stated that the first RF (Radio Frequency) seeker headed test missile of the the HISAR O+ System has successfully destroyed its target, stressing that Turkey has achieved another accomplishment in national air defense umbrella effort.
“While we continue mass production, our work on new capabilities will continue at full speed,” he tweeted.
Turkish Efforts on National Air Defense Umbrella
Turkey is working rapidly to create a national layered air defense network. The National Low Altitude Air Defense Missile System HISAR-A+ was made available to the Turkish Armed Forces last year. The National Medium Altitude Air Defense Missile System HISAR-O+ was also delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces earlier this year.
In addition to the imaging infrared (IIR) seekers used in the HISAR-A+ and HISAR-O+ systems, Roketsan also continued its radar-guided missile efforts. In this context, the HISAR-RF Missile to be used in the HISAR-O+ system will have both a longer range and superior capabilities.
HISAR-RF Missile
The HISAR-RF Missile has almost the same physical structure as the HISAR-O+ Missile.
The HISAR-RF Missile, which uses a radar seeker warhead, is estimated to have a higher range than the HISAR-O+ Missile, which uses a refrigerated imager infrared seeker head (IIR) and has some limits on its range due to the warming problem brought on by atmospheric conditions.
The radar seeker head of the HISAR-RF Missile was developed by ASELSAN with the experience obtained from GOKDOGAN beyond-visual-range missile (BVR).
HISAR-RF will use the data link during the intermediate phase guidance and the active radar seeker head in the terminal stage.
According to the information obtained by SavunmaSanayiST.com, the HISAR-RF Missile has a range of more than 35-40 kilometers.
HISAR-RF Missile will also be used with the National Vertical Launch System (MIDAS) developed by Roketsan.
With the mass production of HISAR-RF, some existing HAWK batteries will be retired.
The HISAR-O+ System will have the capability of launching both IIR guided and RF guided medium altitude air defense missiles.
HISAR-O+ Air Defense Missile System
As a SSB Project, the HISAR-O+ has been developed domestically and nationally in cooperation with Aselsan-Roketsan. The warhead was developed by TUBITAK SAGE. With 360 degree effectiveness, the system is able to engage and ignite at least 9 targets at the same time. The HISAR O+ System has a interception range of 15 miles.
Capable of operating in all weather conditions, HISAR is effective against warplanes, helicopters, air-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles and armed/unarmed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Designed in accordance with the current needs and threats in our country with strategic and critical facilities, HISAR will be a serious power multiplier in the country’s air defense.
Developed with domestic and national capabilities, the HISAR O+ System will perform point and region air defense missions with its distributed and flexible architectural capability.
The HISAR O+ System has the infrastructure of organization in battery and battalion structures. The system consists of Firing Control Center, missile launch system, medium altitude air defense radar, electro-optical system, infra-red seeker head missile and RF seeker head missile elements.
HISAR air defense missile systems were first delivered with HISAR A+. The long-range air defense system SIPER, which is under test firing, is expected to be ready for use in 2023.
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SOURCE: TurkishDefenceNews