(VIDEO) Turkey’s Atmaca UM Cruise Missile Shatters Records with Unprecedented Range and Endurance

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Turkey’s indigenously developed Atmaca UM land-attack cruise missile has shattered records in both flight duration and range during its latest test launch, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s defense capabilities.

In a groundbreaking revelation, the President of Turkey’s Defense Industries (SSB), Prof. Haluk Görgün, declared that this formidable missile—an evolution of the renowned Atmaca anti-ship system—has now demonstrated the power to annihilate targets over an astonishing distance of 400 kilometers.

“The Atmaca UM cruise missile’s successful completion of its longest and farthest flight, breaking its own record once again, demonstrates the engineering prowess, technological sophistication, and the robustness of Turkey’s defense industry’s strategic deterrent capabilities,” Gorgun stated.

“Each successful launch test further strengthens our national technology ecosystem and advances our vision for a self-reliant defense industry. I extend my congratulations to the presidential officials, the ROKETSAN team, and all subcontractors who have worked tirelessly throughout this process,” he added.

Reports now indicate that Turkey’s Atmaca UM land-attack cruise missile has achieved an astonishing capability—striking targets up to 600 kilometers away while carrying a devastating 250-kilogram warhead.

In its latest test launch, the missile soared to higher altitudes than ever before, extending its reach and proving its dominance in long-range precision strikes.

As the third and most advanced iteration in the Atmaca cruise missile family, the Atmaca UM variant follows its anti-ship predecessor, which features an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker and is launched from mobile platforms.

However, the Atmaca UM takes land-attack warfare to the next level.

Engineered for pinpoint strikes deep into enemy territory, this cutting-edge variant integrates a Digital Scene-Mapping Area Correlation (DSMAC) system, utilizing its IIR seeker to navigate with surgical precision at low altitudes while hugging the terrain—allowing it to deliver heavier payloads with deadly accuracy.

Larger and more powerful than its predecessors, the Atmaca UM boasts an extended operational range, reinforcing Turkey’s growing missile capabilities.

Most notably, it stands as the first variant in the Atmaca series to be designed from the outset with a fully domestically developed turbojet engine.

Developed by Kale Jet Engines, the KTJ-3700 turbojet engine delivers superior thrust and enhanced efficiency, eclipsing the KTJ-3200 engine previously used in the Atmaca and SOM missile systems.

With this groundbreaking achievement, Turkey cements its dominance in missile technology, surging forward toward complete self-sufficiency and battlefield supremacy.

ROKETSAN is pushing the boundaries even further, spearheading the development of three additional Atmaca missile configurations—a submarine-launched version for stealth operations, a hybrid seeker (RF+IIR) variant for enhanced target acquisition, and an air-launched model to unleash firepower from the skies—all tailored to meet a spectrum of operational demands.

At the heart of this ambitious program lies the Atmaca UM, a land-to-land precision strike weapon designed exclusively for the Turkish Army.

Its recent successful tests mark a pivotal milestone, significantly strengthening Turkey’s long-range offensive capabilities and solidifying its standing among the world’s leading missile powers.

The official development contract for the Atmaca UM was sealed on August 18, 2021, in a landmark agreement between the Turkish Defense Industries (SSB) and ROKETSAN.

Armed with a formidable 250-kilogram warhead and an advanced Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, this missile is engineered for high-speed, aggressive maneuvering, striking targets with ruthless precision—achieving accuracy within mere centimeters.

Poised for imminent deployment, the Atmaca UM land-attack cruise missile is set to enter service with the Turkish Armed Forces this year, ushering in a new era of strategic firepower and military dominance.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA