Bayraktar KIZILELMA to be equipped with SOM-J cruise missile For enhanced stealth attacks

Turkish defense manufacturer BAYKAR is advancing the development of its unmanned jet fighter, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, by integrating the SOM-J cruise missile into its arsenal.

This integration aims to boost the aircraft's stealth and long-range strike capabilities, SavunmaSanayiST.com made a post on X, Caliber.Az reports.

Savaş uçaklarının iç silah istasyonlarına uyumlu şekilde geliştirilen SOM-J’nin, yakın gelecekte #BayraktarKIZILELMA ile testlere başlaması bekleniyor.

Düşük radar kesit alanlı KIZILELMA, SOM-J Seyir Füzesi ile ‘Uzun Menzilden Sinsi Saldırı’ kabiliyetini pekiştirecek 🚀😎🇹🇷 https://t.co/SnY0r2dQha pic.twitter.com/qBYX7Vv8Eb

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) August 3, 2024

Testing for the integration of the SOM-J cruise missile, which is designed to fit the internal combat modules of fighter aircraft, is set to commence soon. 

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter jet, will benefit from the missile's advanced technology.

The SOM-J, developed collaboratively by TÜBİTAK SAGE and ROKETSAN, is a medium-range air-to-ground missile designed to target highly defended land and maritime assets. Weighing 500 kilograms, the missile features a combined navigation system, an infrared guidance system for terminal targeting, and a 350-pound fragmentation warhead. It boasts a range of up to 275 kilometers.

Apart from the KIZILELMA, work is also underway to integrate the SOM-J missile into Türkiye's AKINCI and AKSUNGUR UAVs, enhancing their operational effectiveness.