Breaking News
ASELSAN Successfully Tests GÖZDE Guidance Kit on F-16 Fighter Confirming its Aerial Precision Strike Capabilities.
On February 27, 2025, ASELSAN, a leading company in the Turkish defense industry, conducted a live test demonstrating the effectiveness of the GÖZDE guidance kit. Integrated into a 500-pound MK-82 bomb, the system successfully struck a high-speed moving target with remarkable precision, marking a development in aerial precision strike capabilities. Conducted from an F-16 fighter jet, the test confirmed GÖZDE’s operational reliability and reinforced Turkey’s position in precision strike technologies.
One of GÖZDE’s main advantages is its ability to convert conventional bombs into guided munitions capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets (Picture source: Aselsan)
Developed jointly by ASELSAN and TÜBİTAK SAGE (Defense Industries Research and Development Institute), GÖZDE utilizes an advanced guidance system combining INS (Inertial Navigation System), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and a laser designator. During the test, the moving target was designated by an electro-optical system onboard the aircraft, allowing the guidance kit to adjust the bomb’s trajectory in real-time and ensure precise target neutralization.
One of GÖZDE’s main advantages is its ability to convert conventional bombs into guided munitions capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets. Without an integrated propulsion system, it optimizes the effectiveness of aerial platforms while maintaining a cost-effective approach. Designed for deployment on both manned and unmanned platforms, including F-16 fighters and the Bayraktar AKINCI drone, it enhances operational flexibility and extends the Turkish Armed Forces’ strike capabilities across various scenarios.
ASELSAN President and CEO Ahmet Akyol highlighted the strategic significance of this test, stating that GÖZDE’s ability to engage a high-speed moving target demonstrates the company’s expertise in precision strike technologies. He also emphasized that only a limited number of countries possess such a capability, making this an important factor in ASELSAN’s international competitiveness. As part of its 2030 vision to become one of the world’s top 30 defense companies, ASELSAN aims to continue developing advanced indigenous solutions that address the evolving demands of modern warfare.
This successful test confirms the technological maturity of GÖZDE and its potential role in Turkey’s defense arsenal. By enhancing the accuracy of aerial strikes without relying on complex and expensive munitions, ASELSAN provides an effective solution to the challenges of contemporary military engagements, where precision and adaptability are key operational priorities.
The Turkish F-16 fleet serves as the backbone of the country’s combat aviation, with approximately 245 aircraft in service. Deployed since the late 1980s, these multirole fighters, originally manufactured in the United States, have been partially assembled under license by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), contributing to Turkey’s expertise in military aviation. Primarily consisting of F-16C/D Block 30, 40, and 50 models, they are optimized for air superiority, precision strikes, and reconnaissance missions. Ongoing modernization efforts, led by ASELSAN and TAI under the Özgür program, aim to replace original electronic and mission systems with domestically developed technology, strengthening Turkey’s strategic autonomy.
Turkish F-16s play a key role in national defense and external operations, including airspace surveillance, counterinsurgency efforts, and border security. They are also engaged in NATO missions, multinational exercises, and patrols in the Eastern Mediterranean. Their ability to deploy advanced weaponry, including AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and domestically produced guided munitions such as SOM and GÖZDE, enhances their operational versatility. As regional tensions persist and security challenges evolve, Turkey is planning the development of an indigenous next-generation fighter, the KAAN, to gradually replace its aging F-16 fleet in the coming years.
The GÖZDE guidance kit represents a significant asset for Turkey by improving the accuracy of aerial strikes without requiring costly propulsion-based munitions. By transforming conventional MK-82 bombs into smart weapons capable of engaging both stationary and mobile targets with high precision, it provides an efficient and cost-effective solution to enhance Turkey’s strike capabilities. Its integration with F-16 fighters and Bayraktar AKINCI drones increases operational flexibility while reducing dependence on foreign technology through its indigenous development. This advancement further consolidates Turkey’s role as a key player in the defense industry, equipping it with a capability comparable to that of nations possessing similar precision-guided munitions.
For international partners, GÖZDE presents an attractive option, particularly for countries seeking to modernize their arsenals without investing in expensive guided missile systems. Its compatibility with widely used aerial platforms, such as the F-16, facilitates its integration into various air forces, expanding its export potential. By offering a cost-effective domestic solution, Turkey positions itself as a key supplier of smart munitions for nations with limited aerial capabilities or those looking to diversify their procurement sources. This development also strengthens ASELSAN’s competitiveness in the global defense market, showcasing its expertise in precision technologies and the enhancement of conventional munitions.
The GÖZDE guidance kit represents a significant asset for Türkiye by improving the accuracy of aerial strikes without requiring costly propulsion-based munitions (Picture source: Aselsan)