Operational Purpose and Role

OMTAS is designed to engage:

• Main Battle Tanks (MBTs)
• Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs)
• Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs)
• Fortified positions
• Low-speed, low-altitude targets (within capability limits)

Its primary mission is to provide mechanized infantry and armored units with an organic medium-range precision anti-armor capability. It fills the operational gap between short-range shoulder-fired systems and long-range heavy anti-tank missile platforms.

Doctrine and Concept of Employment

Unlike legacy SACLOS-guided systems, OMTAS employs an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, allowing autonomous terminal guidance.

The system supports:

• Fire-and-Forget
• Fire-and-Update
• Lock-On Before Launch (LOBL)
• Lock-On After Launch (LOAL)
• Mid-course target update
• Target re-designation during flight
• Top-Attack mode
• Direct-Attack mode

This enables:

• Engagement from behind cover
• Reduced operator exposure
• Improved survivability in high-threat environments
• Flexibility in complex terrain and urban warfare

System Architecture

OMTAS consists of three primary components:

Missile

• Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker
• RF data link receiver/transmitter
• Tandem anti-tank warhead
• Solid-fuel rocket motor
• Aerodynamic control surfaces

Fire Control Unit

• Thermal sight
• Daylight camera
• Target tracking algorithms
• Integrated control interface

Launcher Platform

• Tripod-based portable system
• Vehicle-mounted integration (open/closed turret configurations)

Guidance and Seeker Technology

The IIR seeker allows the missile to:

• Acquire thermal image of the target
• Track based on heat signature and shape recognition
• Maintain resistance against certain electronic countermeasures

The RF data link enables:

• Real-time target updates
• Engagement abortion
• Switching to alternate targets mid-flight

This significantly increases tactical flexibility compared to traditional wire-guided systems.

Warhead and Lethality

Available warhead options (publicly disclosed):

• Tandem HEAT (Anti-Tank)
• High-Explosive Fragmentation
• Thermobaric

The tandem configuration is designed to neutralize ERA before penetrating the main armor.

Exact armor penetration values are not publicly disclosed.

Survivability and Safety

• Insensitive munition design
• Resistance to bullet impact and fuel fire
• Reduced operator exposure due to fire-and-forget capability
• Capability to launch from defilade positions

Integration and Ecosystem

OMTAS can be integrated onto:

• Armored combat vehicles
• Tactical wheeled armored platforms
• Static defensive positions

It forms part of Türkiye’s layered anti-armor capability alongside short- and long-range systems developed domestically.

Advantages Against Modern Threats

Advantages:

• IIR autonomous seeker
• RF data link flexibility
• Top-attack capability
• Day/night operational capability
• Tandem warhead for ERA-equipped tanks

Limitations:

• 4 km range limits engagement depth compared to long-range ATGMs
• Detailed performance against modern active protection systems (APS) is not publicly disclosed
• Network-centric warfare integration details are limited in public sources

Detailed Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

• Diameter: 160 mm
• Length: 1.8 meters
• Total weight (missile + launch tube): approx. 35 kg

Range

• Minimum: 200 meters
• Maximum: 4 kilometers

Guidance System

• Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker
• RF data link
• Fire-and-Forget
• Fire-and-Update

Attack Modes

• Top-Attack
• Direct-Attack

Warhead Types

• Tandem HEAT
• Thermobaric
• Fragmentation

Armor penetration figures are not publicly disclosed.

Deployment

• Tripod portable configuration
• Vehicle-mounted turret integration
• Capable of firing from covered positions

Personnel Requirement

• Typically operated by a two-person team. Official doctrinal personnel structure is not publicly detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OMTAS used for?

• OMTAS is used to destroy armored vehicles, especially modern main battle tanks, at medium ranges up to 4 km.

What is the maximum range of OMTAS?

• The maximum operational range is 4 kilometers, with a minimum engagement distance of approximately 200 meters.

Can it defeat modern tanks with reactive armor?

• Yes. Its tandem HEAT warhead is designed to defeat explosive reactive armor before penetrating the main armor layer.

Does it have fire-and-forget capability?

• Yes. Thanks to its Imaging Infrared seeker, the missile can autonomously track and engage the target after launch.

Can OMTAS be integrated onto vehicles?

• Yes. It can be mounted on armored platforms with open or enclosed turret systems.

Does it support top-attack mode?

• Yes. It can engage targets using a top-attack trajectory to strike weaker upper armor sections.

Sources

• Roketsan official product page
• Roketsan technical brochures
• Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) public releases
• International defense exhibition materials