Turkey develops sensors for domestic laser rockets

Neşe Karanfil ISTANBUL - Radikal

The research and development experts of TÜBİTAK has worked for two years to develop sensors for domestically produced laser guided missiles. Courtesy of TÜBİTAK

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has finished developing sensors for domestically produced laser guided missiles, which will be mounted to domestically-manufactured CİRİT rockets.

TÜBİTAK developed these sensors over a two-year period using only domestic revenue sources. The sensors were developed and modeled off the most modern technology found abroad. TÜBİTAK also partnered with Turkey’s Roketsan for the project. Roketsan contributed technical resources and assisted during the testing phase.

Sensors lock on target

The laser sensors, which are a crucial part of the rockets, are able to hone in on their targets in a quick and accurate fashion. They lock onto the target enabling better accuracy in every shot. Industry Minister Nihat Ergün had previously said Turkey used to need to import the technology used in more developed countries, but now the tables had been turned.

“The latest example of this is the fact that Turkey is now able to produce its own domestic rocket. We have now taken this a step further and developed laser sensors, which are used in very few countries,” said Ergün.