IDEF 2025: Roketsan expands Türkiye’s stealth fighter lethality with first ramjet air-to-air missile Gökbora
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Roketsan publicly introduced its new beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile Gökbora during the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) held in Istanbul. Developed with a solid-fuel ramjet engine and designed for internal bay integration on Türkiye’s indigenous Kaan fighter and Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft, the Gökbora marks a new addition to the country’s growing range of missile systems.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The primary advantage of using ramjet propulsion in air-to-air missiles such as the Gökbora is the ability to provide sustained thrust during flight, enabling missiles to maintain high energy in terminal phases, increase range, and widen the no-escape zone. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The missile exceeds a range of 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers), and Turkish sources describe it as conceptually similar to the French-British Meteor missile, although the Gökbora is reported to feature a longer range and a wider no-escape zone. The Gökbora is also identified as Türkiye’s first solid-fuel ramjet air-to-air missile compatible with internal carriage, overcoming design limitations seen in previous ramjet efforts such as TÜBİTAK-SAGE’s Gökhan, which requires external mounting and is optimized for platforms like the F-16.
The Gökbora missile has a length of 3.75 meters and a diameter of 180 millimeters. Its propulsion system is a solid-fuel ramjet, which allows it to sustain thrust for extended durations during high-speed flight at altitude. The Gökbora uses inertial navigation and mid-course data link guidance during its approach to target, and it switches to terminal guidance using an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker. The missile is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. According to technical documentation, it is designed to engage multiple types of targets, including fighter aircraft, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platforms, tanker aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cargo planes, and cruise missiles. Its integration into the internal weapon bays of stealth-capable platforms is intended to enable deployment without increasing radar signature. Turkish defense officials describe this compatibility as a key factor that differentiates it from earlier designs.
The ramjet engine employed by the Gökbora is a type of airbreathing propulsion system that compresses atmospheric air through forward motion, mixes it with fuel, and ignites it to produce thrust. The basic components include a diffuser to compress the incoming air, a combustion chamber where the fuel is ignited, and a nozzle to accelerate the hot gases for propulsion. Unlike turbojets, ramjets have no rotating parts and rely entirely on the high-speed intake of air. Solid-fuel variants such as the Gökbora eliminate the need for pumps and complex liquid fuel injection systems. This simplified architecture enables higher reliability and allows for compact integration into aircraft weapon bays. Ramjets generally require an initial speed of at least 300 mph (about 485 km/h) to function and become efficient at speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 4, with diminishing efficiency above Mach 6 due to thermal dissociation of incoming air.
Historically, the concept of the ramjet dates back to 1913 when French inventor René Lorin received a patent for a propulsion system that relied on the forward motion of the aircraft. In 1915, Hungarian engineer Albert Fonó proposed an artillery projectile equipped with a ramjet to increase its range. The Soviet Union undertook extensive research in the 1930s and 1940s, developing and testing ramjet-powered projectiles and aircraft, including the first flight of a ramjet-powered aircraft in 1940 using Merkulov’s DM-2 engines. Germany and Japan both pursued experimental ramjet projects during World War II, while the United States began testing ramjet missiles such as the Gorgon IV and later developed systems like the AQM-60 Kingfisher and CIM-10 Bomarc during the Cold War. In the UK, the Bloodhound and Sea Dart systems also employed ramjet propulsion. Ramjet technology was further explored in subsequent decades for space access and hypersonic applications, including the nuclear-powered Project Pluto and the U.S.–Norway THOR-ER solid-fuel ramjet demonstrator.
Ramjets rely on the compression of incoming air through the vehicle’s motion. This air is slowed in a diffuser, mixed with fuel, and combusted. Solid-fuel ramjets such as the one used in the Gökbora feature propellant cast along the combustor walls that ablates upon contact with the hot compressed air. The resulting high-temperature, high-pressure gas is expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust. Because these systems lack moving parts, they can be lighter and more compact than turbojets, though they require the launching platform to achieve sufficient speed for activation. Control systems typically adjust fuel burn rate and guidance based on the flight regime. For the Gökbora, guidance is achieved via inertial systems with mid-course updates through data link, while the terminal phase uses radar targeting to track and engage moving targets. These components are combined to provide continuous propulsion and targeting accuracy over extended ranges.
The use of solid-fuel ramjet propulsion in air-to-air missiles provides several benefits. Unlike conventional rocket-powered air-to-air missiles that rely on a high-thrust boost followed by a coasting phase, ramjet-powered missiles can maintain thrust during the entire engagement envelope. This sustained propulsion ensures that the missile retains kinetic energy and maneuvering capability during the terminal phase, making it more effective against maneuvering targets or targets attempting to escape. The increased energy during this stage extends the no-escape zone and improves probability of kill. Solid-fuel variants further simplify logistical handling and eliminate the risks associated with liquid fuel storage. For aircraft like the Kaan and the Kızılelma, internal bay compatibility with a ramjet-powered missile like the Gökbora enables long-range engagement while maintaining low observability and avoiding aerodynamic penalties associated with external pylons.
The Gökbora was introduced at IDEF 2025 alongside five other newly revealed Roketsan systems. These include the Akata submarine-launched variant of the Atmaca cruise missile, the Tayfun Block-4 hypersonic ballistic missile, the Eren high-speed loitering munition, the 300ER air-launched ballistic missile, and the Şimşek-2 satellite launch vehicle. The Akata extends Atmaca’s anti-ship capabilities to submarine platforms, with a claimed range of over 250 kilometers. The Tayfun Block-4 is a hypersonic missile weighing over 7 tons with a multi-role warhead, designed to strike strategic targets such as command centers, air defense systems, and military hangars. The Eren is a loitering munition compatible with UAVs, naval platforms, and ground systems, and is optimized for long-endurance and autonomous strikes. The 300ER system is designed for air-launched precision strikes at ranges exceeding 500 kilometers, with multiple guidance modes and warhead types. The Şimşek-2 system is a two-stage, liquid-fueled satellite launcher capable of placing 1,500 kg payloads into sun-synchronous orbit at over 700 km altitude.
These six systems were introduced as part of Roketsan’s broader strategic effort to expand its defense portfolio across multiple operational domains. According to Roketsan General Manager Murat İkinci, more than 60 systems were exhibited at IDEF 2025, ranging from guided munitions and anti-tank weapons to cruise missiles and naval systems. İkinci emphasized that the Gökbora, with its internal bay compatibility and solid-fuel ramjet engine, was developed specifically to address the requirements of Türkiye’s next-generation air combat platforms. He stated that the missile’s design allows it to engage targets at ranges exceeding 100 nautical miles and that its propulsion system provides an advantage over comparable systems in terms of terminal performance. Other senior officials highlighted that these developments align with Türkiye’s long-term defense objectives, including expanded strategic autonomy and increased deterrence capacity. All six systems were presented to domestic and foreign delegations during the IDEF 2025 exhibition.
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Roketsan publicly introduced its new beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile Gökbora during the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) held in Istanbul. Developed with a solid-fuel ramjet engine and designed for internal bay integration on Türkiye’s indigenous Kaan fighter and Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft, the Gökbora marks a new addition to the country’s growing range of missile systems.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The primary advantage of using ramjet propulsion in air-to-air missiles such as the Gökbora is the ability to provide sustained thrust during flight, enabling missiles to maintain high energy in terminal phases, increase range, and widen the no-escape zone. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The missile exceeds a range of 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers), and Turkish sources describe it as conceptually similar to the French-British Meteor missile, although the Gökbora is reported to feature a longer range and a wider no-escape zone. The Gökbora is also identified as Türkiye’s first solid-fuel ramjet air-to-air missile compatible with internal carriage, overcoming design limitations seen in previous ramjet efforts such as TÜBİTAK-SAGE’s Gökhan, which requires external mounting and is optimized for platforms like the F-16.
The Gökbora missile has a length of 3.75 meters and a diameter of 180 millimeters. Its propulsion system is a solid-fuel ramjet, which allows it to sustain thrust for extended durations during high-speed flight at altitude. The Gökbora uses inertial navigation and mid-course data link guidance during its approach to target, and it switches to terminal guidance using an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker. The missile is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. According to technical documentation, it is designed to engage multiple types of targets, including fighter aircraft, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platforms, tanker aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cargo planes, and cruise missiles. Its integration into the internal weapon bays of stealth-capable platforms is intended to enable deployment without increasing radar signature. Turkish defense officials describe this compatibility as a key factor that differentiates it from earlier designs.
The ramjet engine employed by the Gökbora is a type of airbreathing propulsion system that compresses atmospheric air through forward motion, mixes it with fuel, and ignites it to produce thrust. The basic components include a diffuser to compress the incoming air, a combustion chamber where the fuel is ignited, and a nozzle to accelerate the hot gases for propulsion. Unlike turbojets, ramjets have no rotating parts and rely entirely on the high-speed intake of air. Solid-fuel variants such as the Gökbora eliminate the need for pumps and complex liquid fuel injection systems. This simplified architecture enables higher reliability and allows for compact integration into aircraft weapon bays. Ramjets generally require an initial speed of at least 300 mph (about 485 km/h) to function and become efficient at speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 4, with diminishing efficiency above Mach 6 due to thermal dissociation of incoming air.
Historically, the concept of the ramjet dates back to 1913 when French inventor René Lorin received a patent for a propulsion system that relied on the forward motion of the aircraft. In 1915, Hungarian engineer Albert Fonó proposed an artillery projectile equipped with a ramjet to increase its range. The Soviet Union undertook extensive research in the 1930s and 1940s, developing and testing ramjet-powered projectiles and aircraft, including the first flight of a ramjet-powered aircraft in 1940 using Merkulov’s DM-2 engines. Germany and Japan both pursued experimental ramjet projects during World War II, while the United States began testing ramjet missiles such as the Gorgon IV and later developed systems like the AQM-60 Kingfisher and CIM-10 Bomarc during the Cold War. In the UK, the Bloodhound and Sea Dart systems also employed ramjet propulsion. Ramjet technology was further explored in subsequent decades for space access and hypersonic applications, including the nuclear-powered Project Pluto and the U.S.–Norway THOR-ER solid-fuel ramjet demonstrator.
Ramjets rely on the compression of incoming air through the vehicle’s motion. This air is slowed in a diffuser, mixed with fuel, and combusted. Solid-fuel ramjets such as the one used in the Gökbora feature propellant cast along the combustor walls that ablates upon contact with the hot compressed air. The resulting high-temperature, high-pressure gas is expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust. Because these systems lack moving parts, they can be lighter and more compact than turbojets, though they require the launching platform to achieve sufficient speed for activation. Control systems typically adjust fuel burn rate and guidance based on the flight regime. For the Gökbora, guidance is achieved via inertial systems with mid-course updates through data link, while the terminal phase uses radar targeting to track and engage moving targets. These components are combined to provide continuous propulsion and targeting accuracy over extended ranges.
The use of solid-fuel ramjet propulsion in air-to-air missiles provides several benefits. Unlike conventional rocket-powered air-to-air missiles that rely on a high-thrust boost followed by a coasting phase, ramjet-powered missiles can maintain thrust during the entire engagement envelope. This sustained propulsion ensures that the missile retains kinetic energy and maneuvering capability during the terminal phase, making it more effective against maneuvering targets or targets attempting to escape. The increased energy during this stage extends the no-escape zone and improves probability of kill. Solid-fuel variants further simplify logistical handling and eliminate the risks associated with liquid fuel storage. For aircraft like the Kaan and the Kızılelma, internal bay compatibility with a ramjet-powered missile like the Gökbora enables long-range engagement while maintaining low observability and avoiding aerodynamic penalties associated with external pylons.
The Gökbora was introduced at IDEF 2025 alongside five other newly revealed Roketsan systems. These include the Akata submarine-launched variant of the Atmaca cruise missile, the Tayfun Block-4 hypersonic ballistic missile, the Eren high-speed loitering munition, the 300ER air-launched ballistic missile, and the Şimşek-2 satellite launch vehicle. The Akata extends Atmaca’s anti-ship capabilities to submarine platforms, with a claimed range of over 250 kilometers. The Tayfun Block-4 is a hypersonic missile weighing over 7 tons with a multi-role warhead, designed to strike strategic targets such as command centers, air defense systems, and military hangars. The Eren is a loitering munition compatible with UAVs, naval platforms, and ground systems, and is optimized for long-endurance and autonomous strikes. The 300ER system is designed for air-launched precision strikes at ranges exceeding 500 kilometers, with multiple guidance modes and warhead types. The Şimşek-2 system is a two-stage, liquid-fueled satellite launcher capable of placing 1,500 kg payloads into sun-synchronous orbit at over 700 km altitude.
These six systems were introduced as part of Roketsan’s broader strategic effort to expand its defense portfolio across multiple operational domains. According to Roketsan General Manager Murat İkinci, more than 60 systems were exhibited at IDEF 2025, ranging from guided munitions and anti-tank weapons to cruise missiles and naval systems. İkinci emphasized that the Gökbora, with its internal bay compatibility and solid-fuel ramjet engine, was developed specifically to address the requirements of Türkiye’s next-generation air combat platforms. He stated that the missile’s design allows it to engage targets at ranges exceeding 100 nautical miles and that its propulsion system provides an advantage over comparable systems in terms of terminal performance. Other senior officials highlighted that these developments align with Türkiye’s long-term defense objectives, including expanded strategic autonomy and increased deterrence capacity. All six systems were presented to domestic and foreign delegations during the IDEF 2025 exhibition.
