Turkey's Kale Arge Set to Deliver First Turbojet Engine for KARA ATMACA Cruise Missile

Kale Arge is poised to make the initial delivery of the KTJ-3700 Turbojet Engine for use in the KARA ATMACA Cruise Missile within a few days, marking progress in Roketsan's ongoing development efforts for the surface-to-surface cruise missile.

The national engine, KTJ-3700, according to Kale Arge General Manager Cüneyt Kenger, is asserted to have superior features compared to its global counterparts. With a thrust of 3700 Newtons, the engine is claimed to be lightweight and to have lower fuel consumption. Kenger reported a successful prototype test in 2023, ongoing prototype production, and an upcoming delivery to Roketsan, SavunmaSanayiST.com reports.

Kale Arge's engine development includes other models like KTJ-3200, which powers ATMACA and SOM missiles, and KTJ-1750, intended for ÇAKIR missiles.

The news outlines the KARA ATMACA project initiated by the Presidency of Defense Industries for a Surface-to-Surface Cruise Missile with precision strike capability. The contract for the development of KARA ATMACA was signed in August 2021, with plans to enter service in 2025.

Differentiating the land-based ATMACA from its naval counterpart, changes in the seeker head and navigation systems are highlighted. The article notes the shift from a radar seeker head in the ATMACA Anti-Ship Missile to an imaging infrared seeker head in the land-based version, along with the inclusion of a Ground Referenced Navigation System (YRNS).

Technical specifications for the Ground-Based ATMACA Missile include a length of 6 meters, weight of 890 kg, range of 280 km, and a guidance system incorporating ANS, KKS, Barometric Altimeter, Radar Altimeter, and YRNS. The warhead, weighing 250 kg, features high explosive, particle effect, and penetration effectiveness, with an Infrared Imaging Head (IIR) as the seeker.