UMTAS Long Range Anti-Tank Missile System

The UMTAS anti-tank missile system is effective against armoured ground targets. Image courtesy of MilborneOne.

The UMTAS anti-tank missile system is in service with the Turkish Land Forces’ T129 ATAK attack helicopter. Image courtesy of MilborneOne.

A T129 ATAK helicopter armed with UMTAS missiles seen during the IDEF 2015 defence exhibition. Image courtesy of CeeGee.

Mesko and Roketsan partnered in September 2015 to co-produce UMTAS missiles. Image courtesy of Turkish Armed Forces Foundation.

UMTAS (Uzun Menzilli Tanksavar Sistemi) is a long-range, anti-tank missile system designed to provide armed forces with the capability to destroy heavily armoured ground targets. Developed by Turkish firm Roketsan, the missile system can be fitted with infrared imaging or laser guidance. The laser-guided version is designated L-UMTAS.

UMTAS missiles are primarily air-launched from T129 ATAK and AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters. They are also suitable for other air, ground and sea-based platforms such as light assault aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, fixed ground platforms, infantry fighting vehicles and Sikorsky SH-60B maritime helicopter.

The weapon system is operational with Turkish Armed Forces’ T129 ATAK and AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters, as well as SH-60B Seahawk maritime helicopters.

UMTAS missile system development

A contract for the design and development of the UMTAS anti-tank missile system, also known as Mizrak-U, was signed in September 2005.

The L-UMTAS laser-guided variant passed development and flight qualification phases in 2015. During the test flights, the missile was successfully launched from T129 ATAK and SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters at land and sea targets respectively.

HAVELSAN, a developer of software and systems, supplied UMTAS anti-tank missile simulation for the T129 ATAK helicopter, which can carry up to 12 UMTAS weapons.

Polish missile manufacturer Mesko and Roketsan signed an agreement at the MSPO 2015 trade fair for the co-production of the UMTAS missile system.

Roketsan signed a deal with Polish Military Aviation Plant WZL-1 for the integration of UMTAS missiles on to the Russian-made Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-24 military helicopters in September 2015.

Roketsan conducted a test firing of two UMTAS missiles from a Bayraktar TB2 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in December 2015.

Airbus signed an agreement with Roketsan in July to arm the C295W surveillance and transport aircraft with L-UMTAS missiles.

UMTAS missile system design and guidance

The UMTAS precision-guided missile has a length of 1.8m and a diameter of 160mm, and weighs 37.5kg. It features four short wings mounted in the middle section and four aerodynamic control fins in the tail section for flight control.

A nose-mounted imaging infrared (IIR) seeker or laser seeker provides high-target accuracy for the anti-tank weapon.

The missile has the ability to operate in both fire-and-forget and fire-and-update operation modes. The fire-and-forget mode enables the weapon to travel on its own path after illumination of the target.

In fire-and-update mode, the operator can update target information or switch targets while the missile is in flight. The mode also allows the operator to receive real-time intelligence and perform battle damage assessment.

Data transfer between the missile and the launch platform is provided by a two-way RF data link.

The UMTAS missile system also features lock-on before launch and lock-on after launch capabilities.

High-explosive tandem-charge warhead

The air and surface-launched UMTAS missile incorporates high-explosive tandem-charge warhead, which provides high lethality against modern main battle tanks equipped with modern explosive reactive armour.

Launcher details of UMTAS missile system

Weighing approximately 60kg, the UMTAS missile launcher can carry up to four long-range anti-tank missiles. The launcher is designed in accordance with the MIL-STD-1760 and MIL-STD-1553 standard interfaces for integration onto the military aircraft.

UMTAS anti-tank missile performance

Powered by HTPB-based smokeless composite solid propellant, the UMTAS anti-tank missile has an effective firing range between 0.5km and 8km.

The missile is capable of engaging enemy armoured targets and mechanised units under all weather conditions, both during the day and at night.

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