The Merlin, also known as Bozdoğan, is a short-range air-to-air missile developed by the Turkish company TÜBİTAK SAGE. The missile is developed from the GÖKTUĞ program. The missile uses an off-boresight capable IIR (Imaging infrared) seeker with all aspect engagement capability and counter-countermeasure capability.[2][3] The missile has High thrust reduced smoke solid propellant technology and an electronic rocket motor aiming and firing system. According to the manufacturer, it will has advanced agility due to use of thrust vectoring, a unique warhead for maximum probability of kill and a reliable fuze. It missile is compatible with MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-1760 and is designed for use with the LAU-129 guided missile launcher.[2]
| Merlin (Bozdoğan) | |
|---|---|
 Merlin (displayed lower-back) infrared homing short-range air-to-air missile at the IDEF 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey | |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Turkey |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2024[1] |
| Used by | Turkish Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | TÜBİTAK SAGE |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 140 kg |
| Warhead | Fragmentation warhead |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | Around 25 km |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4 |
Guidance system | High resolution infrared homing |
Launch platform | F-16, JF-17, TAI TF Kaan, TAI Hürjet |
History
editOn 14 April 2021, Merlin conducted a live firing test from a Turkish Air Force F-16. The missile successfully destroyed a TAI Şimşek _target drone.[4] Merlin reaches a speed of greater than Mach 4.[5]
User
editCurrent operators
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Future operators
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Işık, Yusuf Emir (28 July 2024). "Yerli hava-hava füzeleri envanterde!". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Göktuğ". DEFENSE INDUSTRIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE.
- ^ "Azerbaijan Invests in Turkish Missiles for Its Squadron of JF-17 Fighters". Army Recognition.
- ^ "Bozdoğan Hedefi İlk Atışta Tam İsabetle Vurdu". Sözcü. 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Bozdoğan Şimşek'i 12'den vurdu – Tolga Özbek". 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Azerbaijan's JF-17 "Thunder" Block 3 Fighter Jets Equipped with Turkish Air-to-Air Missiles". Defence Security Asia. 2 November 2024.
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