Turkish Air Force | News & Discussions

[MMM-E]

Can PATRIOT intercept the KIZILELMA and ANKA-3 ?


GROK says

According to sources: RCS has a high probability of hitting a 0.1 m² target from a distance of 60–70 km (mentioned in some Greek sources for Patriot, applicable to similar systems).

If the ANKA-3 launches a CAKIR/KUZGUN-TJ Missile before approaching (100+ km), the Patriot battery will be threatened, or even hit (the missile range exceeds the Patriot's radar range)

If the ANKA-3 (Mach 0.7–0.9, 12 km altitude) releases these missiles from its internal bay, the RCS will remain low → it has a high chance of hitting a Patriot from 100–150 km away (especially with a salvo or swarm)

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ANKA-3 can perform air-to-ground missions carried out by the F-35
( autonomously, safely and economically )

Therefore, since ANKA-3 will never approach the Radar within 60-70 km, PATRIOT can not fire at ANKA-3, but ANKA-3 can fire Missiles from 100-150 km away to hit the Patriot Radar

ANKA-3 will carry munitions/missiles in internal weapon bays
-- 100+ km TOLUN-IIR guided munition ( IIR seeker )
-- 150+ km KUZGUN-TJ modular strike Missile ( IIR or RF seeker )
-- 150+ km CAKIR Cruise Missile ( IIR+RF hybrid seeker )
-- 275 km SOM-J Cruise Missile ( IIR seeker )

KIZILELMA enter service in 2026 , and ANKA-3 in 2027

 

[Musings]

@Foinikas
Dont go their. Be respectful to fellow members

 

[hyperman]

Ok guy, no more personal attacking and cat fights, everyone behave. lol

 

[Psyko70]

Seeing GOKCEADA from a distance of 225 km, the ASELFLIR 600 also said 'Hello' to neighboring Greece.



The ASELFLIR 600 Electro-Optical Sensor System has brought Greece under its coverage with images obtained from a distance of 225 km

It is known that Thessaloniki or Athens can be viewed very clearly from Turkiye via the ASELFLIR 600 integrated into the AKINCI UCAV


This brings a new level of long-range ISR capability for AKINCI and other platforms that can carry ASELFLIR 600. For reference, 225 km exceeds the range of some stand-off weaponry for AKINCI UCAV, like 150+ km IHA-230 , 150+ km CAKIR and 280 km SOM

also soon 500+ km 300-ER air launched Ballistic Missile with TV seeker to hit military and strategic targets
View attachment 169407

ASELSAN'dan Yunanistan'a 225 Kilometreden ASELFLIR 600 Şoku | SavunmaSanayiST

ASELSAN'ın ASELFLIR 600 Elektro-Optik Sensör Sistemi, 225 kilometreden elde ettiği görüntüyle Yunanistan'ı kapsama alanına aldı.

www.savunmasanayist.com

Wait 225km zoom ?

 

[MMM-E]

Wait 225km zoom ?

Yes 225 km zoom to see a Jet Hangar or Early Warning Radar at Air Bases

and to fire 500+ km 300-ER air launched Ballistic Missile to destroy the target
AKINCI UCAV can do all these capabilities

 

[Psyko70]

Yes 225 km zoom to see a Jet Hangar or Early Warning Radar at Air Bases

and to fire 500+ km 300-ER air launched Ballistic Missile to destroy the target
AKINCI UCAV can do all these capabilities
View attachment 172125

This makes it like long range radar. Turkey is leading ahead in drone warfare.

 

[MMM-E]

This makes it like long range radar. Turkey is leading ahead in drone warfare.

GROK says

Yes, the ASELFLIR-600 electro-optical system can realistically "see" (detect and image) a jet hangar at an air base from 200 km away — and official Turkish tests have already demonstrated exactly this kind of performance. Key Evidence from Real-World Tests (as of January 2026)

• In December 2025 flight tests on the Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV, the ASELFLIR-600 achieved detection and clear imaging at ranges up to 200 km (specifically documented at 200,403 meters in one publicized capture).
• More recently (early 2026 reports), it demonstrated clear imaging of a facility at approximately 225 km.
• These were not hypothetical simulations — ASELSAN publicly released example imagery taken from those distances, showing detailed views of ground targets/facilities.
• A jet hangar at a military air base is a large, high-contrast structure (typically 30–100+ m long, metal/concrete roof, often with distinct thermal signatures from aircraft inside, doors, or recent activity). It is far larger and more detectable than small vehicles or point targets that EO/IR systems normally classify at long range.

Why 200 km Is Feasible for This System
ASELFLIR-600 is one of the most capable airborne EO/IR pods in its class, specifically engineered for high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) platforms like Akıncı and Aksungur:

Feature	ASELFLIR-600 Specification	Benefit for Long-Range Viewing
Gimbal / Aperture size	25-inch (635 mm class), common aperture, 325 mm primary mirror	Collects significantly more light/energy → extends range dramatically vs smaller pods (e.g., ASELFLIR-500)
Sensors	HD MWIR (1280×1024), Full-HD Day TV (1920×1080), HD SWIR (1280×1024)	Multispectral (visible + thermal + short-wave IR) works day/night, penetrates haze/smoke better
Design focus	Optimized for high-altitude, extended-range ISR/targeting	Superior DRI (Detection, Recognition, Identification) at standoff distances
Stabilization	4-axis mechanical + 2-axis optical	Keeps image steady even at long slant ranges/high dynamics
AI integration	Real-time auto-detection, classification, tracking	Helps operators quickly identify large structures like hangars

• Thermal (MWIR) channel excels at spotting large heated/cooled objects like hangars (especially if aircraft engines were recently run or if there's differential heating).
• Day TV / SWIR provides high-detail color/near-IR imagery in daylight for visual confirmation.
• From high altitude (Akıncı routinely operates above 30,000–40,000 ft), the slant range to a ground target 200 km away remains manageable with low atmospheric attenuation in clear conditions.

Realistic Limitations / Caveats

• Clear weather & high altitude are key — Heavy cloud, rain, dust, or low-altitude operations would reduce effective range (as with any EO/IR system).
• "Seeing" vs "detailed identification" — At 200 km you get detection and likely recognition of a large hangar complex (shape, size, location). Full fine identification (e.g., exact door status, aircraft type inside via open doors) might require closer range or zooming, but basic structural visibility and coordinates are achievable.
• Line-of-sight required — Earth curvature means the platform needs sufficient altitude (typically 30,000+ ft for 200 km ground targets), which Akıncı provides.

Bottom line: ASELSAN has already proven the ASELFLIR-600 can image large ground facilities from 200+ km in operational tests. A jet hangar at an air base fits perfectly within that demonstrated capability — it's not just possible, it's been done in similar scenarios. This makes it a game-changer for long-range ISR in platforms like Akıncı or Kızılelma.

 

[MMM-E]

Can ASELFLIR-600 E/O System see Early warning Radar at air base from 200+ km away ?


GROK says

Yes, the ASELFLIR-600 electro-optical system can realistically detect and image an early warning radar installation at an air base from 200 km away — and recent tests strongly support this capability for large, fixed ground targets like radar sites.

Why It's Feasible at 200 km Early warning Radars (e.g., large fixed arrays like Russian Nebo, Chinese JY-26, or similar systems at air bases) are very large structures — often 10–30+ meters wide/tall, with prominent antennas, radomes, control buildings, cabling, and support infrastructure. They create high-contrast visual/thermal signatures:

• Large geometric size → easy to spot as a distinct shape or cluster even at extreme range.
• Thermal contrast → radars generate heat (electronics, transmitters, cooling systems), making them stand out in MWIR thermal imaging, especially if active or recently operated.
• Metallic/reflective surfaces → good visibility in day TV (visible) and SWIR channels, particularly in clear daylight or haze-penetrating conditions.

ASELFLIR-600's demonstrated performance aligns well:

• Proven 200+ km imaging: Official ASELSAN/Akıncı tests (Dec 2025–Jan 2026) captured clear imagery of large ground facilities/structures at 200 km (200,403 m exactly in one release) and up to ~225 km in follow-on reports. These were not tiny objects — they were substantial buildings or site complexes, similar in scale to a radar site.
• No specific radar exclusion: The tests focused on ground targets/facilities at airbase-like distances. A radar antenna array or radome is comparable (or larger) than the hangars/facilities already imaged at those ranges.
• Multispectral advantage:
  • HD MWIR (1280×1024) thermal → detects heat signatures from radar electronics/transmitters day/night.
  • Full-HD Day TV (1920×1080) + HD SWIR (1280×1024) → provides detailed visual confirmation in daylight, penetrating light haze better than pure visible.
• Large aperture boost: 25-inch (635 mm class) gimbal with 325 mm primary mirror collects far more light/energy than smaller pods → extends DRI (Detection/Recognition/Identification) dramatically for big targets.
• High-altitude platform: From Akıncı/Aksungur at 30,000–40,000+ ft, slant range to a ground target 200 km away stays viable with minimal atmospheric loss in clear conditions.

Key Comparison to Hangar Scenario (Previous Question)

Aspect	Jet Hangar (Previous)	Early Warning Radar Site	Why Similar/Better for Radar?
Size/Contrast	Large building (30–100 m)	Large antenna array + buildings (often 20–50+ m span)	Comparable or higher visual/thermal signature
Thermal Signature	Moderate (engines, doors)	Often higher (active electronics, transmitters)	MWIR excels here
Test Relevance	Facilities imaged at 200–225 km	Same class of large fixed ground target	Directly analogous
Detection Likelihood	High (proven)	High (same physics, potentially easier thermal pop)	Yes

Realistic Limitations

• Weather/atmosphere: Clear skies, low humidity, no heavy clouds/dust — required for 200 km EO/IR (same as hangar case).
• "See" definitions:
  • Detection (spot something anomalous/large): Very likely at 200 km.
  • Recognition (identify as radar site/shape): Probable with zoom/AI assistance.
  • Fine ID (specific radar type, status): May need 100–150 km or closer for details, but basic confirmation as "large radar installation" is achievable

Bottom line (Jan 2026 perspective): Just like it can clearly image a jet hangar or facility at 200+ km, the ASELFLIR-600 can "see" (detect/image) an early warning radar at an air base from 200 km under good conditions. This fits perfectly within its demonstrated long-range ISR role for standoff reconnaissance on platforms like Akıncı — making it a powerful tool for locating and monitoring enemy air defense radars from safe distances.

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To see PATRIOT Air Defense System from 200+ km away

Yes, the ASELFLIR-600 electro-optical system can realistically detect and image a PATRIOT air defense System (including its radar and launchers) at an air base from 200 km away — this aligns directly with its proven performance on large, fixed ground targets like facilities and structures.

 

[MMM-E]

MashaAllah. This looks first in its class in military standard.

therefore , ASELSAN says the ASELFLIR-600 E/O System is the best in the World ( in its class )

in 2020 , Canada imposed an embargo on Turkiye for E/O System used in UCAVs , and within 5 years, Türkiye developed 3 products, becoming the producer of the world's best system. ( CATS , ASELFLIR-500 , ASELFLIR-600 )

Now , Turkiye export its AKINCI , ANKA-S , AKSUNGUR , TB-3 UCAVs with indigenous E/O Systems

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Turkish Air Force gets the best UCAV - Unmanned stealth Fighter Jet fleet in Europe and in the Middle East

 

[Psyko70]

therefore , ASELSAN says the ASELFLIR-600 E/O System is the best in the World ( in its class )

in 2020 , Canada imposed an embargo on Turkiye for E/O System used in UCAVs , and within 5 years, Türkiye developed 3 products, becoming the producer of the world's best system. ( CATS , ASELFLIR-500 , ASELFLIR-600 )

Now , Turkiye export its AKINCI , ANKA-S , AKSUNGUR , TB-3 UCAVs with indigenous E/O Systems

Somehow with Pakistan and Turkey. Embargoes seems to make them better then ever.

 

[hyperman]

ok guys try to limit the LLM stuff, as depending on what you feed the LLM you can get it to argue one way or the other.

Lets try to keep the fighting to a minimum.

 

[Foinikas]

Qatari Eurofighter T3As equipped with AESA Radar and METEOR BVR air to air Missiles will create a balance of power in air superiority

So you admit there is no balance right now

 

[Yasser76]

So you admit there is no balance right now

Mate, your subtle attempts at trolling are getting boring, the more you post, the more people understand Turks and empathise with them.

 

[MMM-E]

So you admit there is no balance right now

Greece is not sole problem in the region
Iran , Egypt and Israel also in the region with the F-15EX , RAFALE , SU-35 , F-16 , MIG-29M2 , F-35

so , Turkiye is developing many projects and purchasing Fighter Jets in order to establish a balance of power in the region

-- 230 F-16s ( OZGUR-2 modernization ) with national AESA Radar and BVR Missiles
-- 44 Eurofighters
-- 40 F-16V
-- 40 F-35A
-- KAAN , KIZILELMA , ANKA-3 manned and unmanned stealth Fighter Jets

 

[Foinikas]

Mate, your subtle attempts at trolling are getting boring, the more you post, the more people understand Turks and empathise with them.

MMM-E has been strongly boasting that there's no balance problem on the air even now. Ever since we got the Rafale and kept upgrading more and more F-16Vs,he refused to admit there was a problem in balance and that Turkey was left behind when it comes to their Air Force. It's not trolling,it's making someone admit they were fucking wrong and stop boasting like a 10 year-old of their country being a superpower.