Stand-Off Missile (SOM) is Turkey’s first indigenous long-range, autonomous, high-precision air-to-surface cruise missile. It was designed and developed jointly by TUBITAK Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (TUBITAK SAGE) and Roketsan to defend ground- and sea-based targets.
The missile is highly effective against moving land / surface targets, high-value stationary targets, strategic assets, shelters, exposed aircraft, aircraft hangars, and command and control centres, as well as sea surface threats. It has resistance against countermeasures as well as clutter effects.
SOM – savunmasanayist.com
In October 2014, Roketsan and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control signed a teaming agreement on the development of a new generation stand-off cruise missile variant, SOM-J for internal carriage on the F-35 Lightning II fifth generation multi-role stealth fighter or external carriage on other aircraft.
“Lockheed Martin has a long history of partnership with the Republic of Turkey and we look forward to working closely with Roketsan on this very important project,” Edwards said. “SOM-J will provide the F-35 and other aircraft an exceptional capability to meet the most challenging mission requirements. We look forward to combining the skills and know-how of our two great companies to produce a world-class system to meet customers‘ expanding needs for long-range, survivable cruise missile technology.” Source roketsan.com.tr
ssb.gov.tr
The Stand-Off missile was exhibited at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2015 held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Development of Turkey’s first indigenous stand-off missile
Development of the SOM cruise missile began in 2006. The missile was unveiled at the 2nd Air Force Base located in Çiğli, İzmir in June 2011. It has been in service with the Turkish Air Force since 2012 and is certified for integration onto the F-4E 2020 and F-16 Block 40 fighter aircraft.
gaste24.com
It was first test-fired from a McDonnell Douglas F-4E 2020 strike aircraft in August 2011.
The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries under the Ministry of National Defense placed a $25m worth contract with Kale Aero in February 2012 to develop turbojet engines for the SOM weapon system.
Design and features of SOM cruise missile
Som – instagramwebs.com
The SOM cruise missile features a modular design, offers high-lethality and delivers enhanced operational flexibility. It has a low detectable capability and a longer range compared to surface-to-air missiles. It is compatible with the Nato UAI standard.
The missile is capable of performing in-flight re-targeting as well as in-flight mission selection among pre-planned missions. Its rear section is fitted with control fins for providing lifting and improved manoeuvrability.
sage.tubitak.gov.tr
Suspension lugs fitted to the missile provide mechanical interface between the missile and the launch aircraft. The weapon system also incorporates a power system, fuel tank, air inlet, wing deployment system, and a missile computer.
The missile system weighs 600kg and is equipped with a 230kg blast fragmentation and dual stage tandem penetration warhead. It features selectable impact parameters.
Operational Characteristics
- Long Range (250+ km)
- Low Observable
- High Precision Navigation with INS/GPS/TRN/IBN
- High Precision Terminal Guidance with IIR and Data Fusion
- Resistance to Counter Measures / Clutter
- Wide Firing Envelope Allows Off-Boresight Engagement
- Target of Opportunity Capability
- In Flight Mission Selection
- In Flight Retargeting
- Selectable Impact Parameters
- NATO UAI Compatibility
| SOM-A | SOM-B1 | SOM-B2 | |
| Length | ~4 m | ~4 m | ~4 m |
| Weight | 1300-lb Class | 1300-lb Class | 1300-lb Class |
| Range | 250+ km | 250+ km | 250+ km |
| Warhead | ~500-lb High Explosive / Blast Fragmentation | ~500-lb High Explosive / Blast Fragmentation | ~500-lb High Explosive / Blast Fragmentation |
| Seeker | – | Imaging Infrared | Imaging Infrared |
| Guidance Systems | INS/GPS/TRN | INS/GPS /TRN/IBN/ATA | INS/GPS /TRN/IBN/ATA |
| Platforms | F-4 F-16 |
F-4 F-16 |
F-4 F-16 |
Source roketsan.com.tr
Guidance and navigation
SOM is equipped with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for high-precision guidance. The IIR seeker incorporates a high-resolution imaging system and allows detection of predefined targets with long ranges, high-agility, and resistance to electronic countermeasures / clutter.
The cruise missile is navigated using global positioning system (GPS), inertial navigation system (INS), terrain referenced navigation (TRN), image-based navigation (IBN), and automatic target recognition (ATR) sensors. It also incorporates a radar and barometric altimeter for determining the flight altitude, and has the ability to follow waypoints and terrain contours.
Propulsion and performance of SOM missile
The Stand-Off missile is powered by a turbojet engine and has a range of more than 180km. It is operable under all weather conditions, and also in hostile environments.
lockheedmartin.com
Engine
KTJ-3200 Turbojet engine developed by Kale Arge to be used in SOM Cruising Missile and the sub-systems of the engine have started the qualification tests. Upon completion of the qualification tests, acceptance tests of the KTJ-3200 will begin. If the tests are successful, the KTJ-3200, which is planned to become operational in 2019, will end the bağımlılık critical dependency indeki in the SOM project. In addition, the engine can be used in various projects with various modifications.
SOM Missile developed by TÜBİTAK-SAGE and produced by Roketsan in series production. Within the scope of the Motor Engine Development Project K, the KTJ-3200 turbojet engine, which was started to be developed by Kale Arge in 2013, will replace the TR-40 Turbojet Engine, which is currently used in the serial production of the SOM Missile and supplied from France. In addition, thanks to the domestic engine SOM Missile, range can be increased. Translated by google source savunmasanayist.com
Microturbo TRI 40
TRI 40 – The latest addition to the Microturbo engine family. The small size and high thrust-to-weight ratio make the TRI 40 a promising propulsion unit for state-of-the-art anti-aircraft missiles, training targets and unmanned aircraft. The engine has a four-stage compressor and a single-stage turbine, working on fuel JP8 and JP10. Depending on the version, the engine thrust ranges from 250 to 340 kg. Optimal conditions for engine operation are set at a flight altitude of 0-6000 meters and a maximum speed of M = 0.95. It can be started at speeds M = 0.5 to M = 0.9 at altitudes up to 5300 meters. The first “flying vehicle” with the engine TRI 40 is an anti-missile missile NSM company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace and MBAD. Source leteckemotory.cz
KTJ-3200 Turbojet engine
Our turbojet engine, the KTJ-3200, was developed specifically for the navigation missiles, as well as target aircraft, etc. is a Turbojet Engine optimized for use on unmanned platforms.
Its compact design has high propulsion, low fuel consumption and can be started at different altitude / speed conditions.
Turkey’s first national turbojet engine that has KTJ-3200 feature, altitude using our test system, different altitude / performance in terms of speed has already been shown by the year 2019. However; strength, water uptake, degradation, environmental tests are passed through many different tests. All the tests are carried out in Turkey.
In 2019, the qualification of our KTJ-3200 engine will be completed.
Thanks to its superior features, the KTJ-3200 can be quickly adapted to different domestic and foreign platforms with modifications to be made to the needs. Source airturkhaber.com
Details of the SOM-J variant
SOM-J – lockheedmartin.com
The advanced SOM-J variant will be jointly developed, produced, marketed, and sold by Lockheed Martin and Roketsan. The first stage of SOM-J is scheduled for completion in 2018.
The variant is intended to provide exceptional anti-surface warfare capabilities to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and other similar aircraft.
SOM-J – lockheedmartin.com
Main Features
- Long Range (120+ NM)
- Low Observable
- Highly Survivable
- High Precision Navigation with INS/GPS/TRN/IBN
- Highly Precise Terminal Guidance with IIR and Data Fusion
- Target of Opportunity Capability
- In-Flight Retargeting
- Network Enabled Weapon (NEW) Capability
- Universal Armament Interface (UAI) Compatibility
SOM-J – lockheedmartin.com
Technical Specifications
| Length | ~4 meters |
| Weight | 1000-lb Class |
| Range | 120+ NM |
| Warhead | ~310-lb Blast Fragmentation / Semi-Armor Piercing |
| Seeker | Imaging Infrared |
| Guidance System | INS / GPS / TRN / IBN / ATA |
| Platform | F-35 / F-16 |
Source roketsan.com.tr
Main material source airforce-technology.com
Images are from public domain unless otherwise stated
Revised Aug 04, 2019
Thai Military and Asian Region 