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Turkish defense company Roketsan successfully tested its 122mm TRLG-122 guided artillery rocket from a pickup truck platform, marking the first time the weapon system hit a naval target from a light vehicle configuration.
The test demonstrates a new capability for the laser-guided rocket, which was originally designed for ground-to-ground operations with a range of 13-30 kilometers (8.07-18.6 miles).
The missile successfully struck a stationary sea target after being launched from the mobile platform.
The TRLG-122, equipped with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Laser Seeker Head (LAB), weighs 76 kilograms and carries a 13.5-kilogram warhead combining blast and steel ball ammunition.
The system achieves a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 2 meters with an effective radius of 40 meters or greater.
The pickup truck configuration offers significant advantages over traditional 8x8 truck-mounted systems, providing easier deployment, enhanced mobility, and improved concealment capabilities.
While the video showed two canisters mounted on the pickup, the maximum configuration could potentially accommodate four to six units, depending on vehicle payload capacity.
The guided rocket utilizes an electromechanical drive system for aerodynamic control and composite solid fuel propulsion. Key specifications include:
The system features both impact and proximity fuses for maximum effectiveness against various target types.
Roketsan has previously adapted the TRLG-122 design for aerial platforms, creating the UAV-122 variant with supersonic ballistic capabilities.
The aerial version, successfully tested from Baykar's Akinci and TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), extends the range to over 55 kilometers when launched from air platforms.
The UAV-122 is available in three configurations: GNSS/INS-only, laser seeker, and TV seeker variants, with a range exceeding 50 kilometers.
The pickup-mounted system offers tactical advantages for rapid deployment scenarios.
The smaller vehicle platform is considerably easier to transport and conceal compared to larger truck-mounted systems, allowing for deployment in unexpected locations for surprise attacks.
Recent Turkish Ministry of Defense images have shown practices of concealing military vehicles, including HISAR-A low-altitude air defense systems, using dense camouflage nets, highlighting the importance of vehicle concealment in modern warfare.
The ability to launch from pickup trucks gives the TRLG-122 a competitive edge in the international market, where 122 mm artillery rockets are typically launched from larger vehicles.
The system can be mounted on either a fixed launcher or one with elevation settings only, simplifying the integration process.
Standard Roketsan Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) can carry 12 or 24 TRLG-122 rockets, providing scalable firepower options for different operational requirements.
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