ROKETSAN has shared a video showing the KARA ATMACA cruise missile hitting its target with pinpoint accuracy from the longest range. The test firing, announced on ROKETSAN's official social media accounts with the title "From land to land, pinpoint strike at the longest range," revealed the maturity level of a system that will add a new dimension to the Turkish Armed Forces' strategic strike capability.
What is KARA ATMACA?
KARA ATMACA is a long-range cruise missile designed to be launched from a tactical wheeled land vehicle against strategic land targets. The system is positioned as the land-based version of ROKETSAN's combat-proven ATMACA anti-ship missile, previously developed for naval platforms.
One of the missile's most notable features is its fully autonomous operation capability. With a low radar cross-section making it difficult to detect, KARA ATMACA can continue its mission even in electronic warfare environments thanks to its jam-resistant structure. Its all-weather operational capability makes the system an effective deterrent force throughout the year.
Technical Specifications: 280 km Range, 250 kg Warhead
According to official data shared by ROKETSAN, KARA ATMACA has a length of 6 metres and a weight of 890 kilograms. The missile's range is stated as 280 kilometres, making it one of Türkiye's longest-range land-to-land missiles. The warhead weighs 250 kilograms and combines three different effect mechanisms: high explosive, fragmentation, and penetration. Thus, it is designed to be effective against strategic land targets such as SAM batteries and fixed or relocatable launchers.
The guidance system is based on a highly advanced architecture. A layered navigation infrastructure is provided with an Inertial Navigation System (INS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Barometric Altimeter, Radar Altimeter, and Terrain Referenced Navigation System (TRN). This allows it to reach its target with precision even in environments without GPS signals. The missile's seeker head is equipped with an Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) seeker.
Target Update via Data Link and Multiple Firing Capability
One of the most important features distinguishing KARA ATMACA from its counterparts is its ability to perform target updates, re-attack, and mission abort via data link. This allows for target changes or mission cancellation even after the missile has been launched.
The system also offers advanced firing modes. Options such as Time on Target (ToT), Distributed Time on Target (DToT) from different platforms, and Simultaneous Time on Target (SToT) from the same platform enable simultaneous salvo firings from different platforms. This is a critical capability, especially for overcoming enemy air defence systems. The three-dimensional mission planning feature allows for optimal route planning according to the topographic structure of the terrain.
The ATMACA Family is Growing
KARA ATMACA is the latest link in the expansion of ROKETSAN's ATMACA family. The first member of the family, the ATMACA anti-ship missile, is currently actively used in the Turkish Naval Forces inventory and has also made a name for itself with its export successes. With its land-based version, ATMACA has now transformed into a missile family offering strategic strike capability from both sea-to-sea and land-to-land.
The test footage shared by ROKETSAN indicates that KARA ATMACA has passed a critical threshold on its way to achieving operational capability.
