Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft
According to the company, GÖZDE provides Turkey with a ‘critical’ advantage and reinforces its advanced strike capabilities. (Photo: Aselsan)
Turkish defence company, Aselsan, has successfully tested its Gözde guidance kit’s capabilities, striking a high-speed moving target during its test with an Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet.
According to Aselsan, the guidance kit successfully tracked and neutralised the moving target with “pinpoint accuracy”, once it was deployed from the F-16 aircraft.
Developed jointly with Tübitak Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE), the Mk82 guidance kit converts general purpose bombs into laser-seeker guided munitions, allowing it to hit both stationary and high-speed moving targets. The kit has a range of up to 28km and weighs 500lb (250kg).
According to Aselsan, the Mk82 can also be integrated onto both crewed and uncrewed platforms, including Lockheed Martin’s F-16 jet and the Bayraktar Akinci uncrewed combat aerial vehicle.
ASELSAN president and CEO Ahmet Akyol said: "With the successful demonstration of Gözde’s ability to engage high-speed moving targets with pinpoint accuracy, we have proudly displayed Aselsan’s distinctive capabilities in precision-strike technologies.”
In a post on X, Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology, added that this latest test is one such project that would “strengthen” the country’s security. He added: “Gözde has become the guidance kit that has hit its target the fastest in shooting in our country to date.”
More from Air Warfare
-
Taurus KEPD 350E missile sees upgrade for German armed forces
Taurus Systems, a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Saab, was awarded a $161 million 10-year contract in January 2025 to modernise the Taurus 350 missile.
-
Hanwha Aerospace and GA-ASI join forces to co-develop UAVs
The $510 million partnership will see Hanwha invest to co-develop and manufacture the Gray Eagle STOL, with a maiden flight test expected by 2027.
-
Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.