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As SOM-j is the only air launched cruise missile in our armoury with a capability of hitting moving sea targets thanks to it’s data link capability; it is also the fact that this missile is about 540kg, some 100 to 120 kg lighter than the big brother SOM-C (still to materialise), it is logical to think that it can be launched from the Akinci UAV until TFX becomes available. With it’s 150 nautical miles (270 km) effective range, SOM-J is truly a “stand-off” weapon that can be a game changer In Mediterranean.
Another weapon I would like to see on Akinci is the 570kg trg300 missile. This too, when air launched at high altitude will be a stand-off supersonic attack missile for stationary targets. With it’s maximum speed of 4.2 Mach and terminal hitting velocity of 1.5 Mach , this missile is almost impossible to stop as well.
The Akinci UAV can prove to be a very good deep strike platform.