Delivering two more air vehicles as part of the ANKA-S Project on 8-10 January 2019, TUSAŞ completed the order covering the delivery of 10 ANKA-S UAVs. The latest delivery regarding the Project was made in September 2018 and the number of ANKA-S UAVs under the inventory of the Air Forces reached 8 with two more air vehicles delivered. 2 ANKA-S fleets were added to the Air Forces Command with this Project. All spare parts and supporting ground vehicles were also delivered for the systems which are being operated at two different bases. All maintenance operations of the air vehicles will be conducted by the Air Forces Command (HvKK).

In the meantime, the ANKA-S UAVs delivered to the HvKK performed their first armed assignments again in January. President of Defense Industries Prof. İsmail Demir shared the following statement from his social media account on 20 January 2019, “The ANKA-S UAVs we delivered last week to the HvKK successfully accomplished their first armed assignments”. The first firing test with the Armed ANKA-S UAV was successfully conducted in August 2018. During the test, Roketsan’s MAM-L Smart Micro Munition was fired from the ANKA-S UAV with the tail number 17-023.

On 25 October 2013, TUSAŞ was awarded a US$ 290 Million contract by the SSB to deliver 3 ANKA-S systems with 10 aircraft (2+4+4), 12 ground control stations and sufficient radar-based automatic take-off and landing systems to allow deployment to two separate air bases to meet the TurAF’s requirements. Aselsan’s share of the contract, delivering 10 CATS FLIR payloads and some avionics including INS/GPS and radio systems is valued at US$ 33.6 Million The ANKA-S Project covers the manufacture of a total of 11 ANKA-S UAVs, 10 of them for the TurAF and the 11th one for the TUSAŞ as a test bed. 

According to an image published on the SSB’s social media account, the last two ANKA-S UAVs (9th and 10th air vehicles) are equipped with CMX-15D FLIR payloads rather than Aselsan’s CATS FLIR. The ANKA-S with tail number 18-030, either 9th or 10th ANKA-S platform, is shown with CMX-15D FLIR payload. On 25 September 2018, through his social media account, President of Defence Industries Prof. İsmail DEMİR shared with the public opinion that the CATS FLIR System developed by Aselsan was accepted over TUSAŞ’ ANKA-S UAV. In the image shared at that date by the SSB President DEMİR, the CATS FLIR payload could be seen over the ANKA-S with the tail number 17-015 (this air vehicle is one of the two air vehicles delivered on 8 April 2018 [the other one is the air vehicle with the tail number 16-016] and it was equipped with the StarSAFIRE-380-HLD FLIR payload during its delivery). The first six ANKA-S UAVs delivered to the HvKK were equipped with the StarSAFIRE 380-HLD FLIR payload. The type of the FLIR System of the 7th and 8th ANKA-S air vehicles is unknown. The CMX-15D FLIR payload was previously spotted on the ANKA-S UAV with the tail number 18-031. CMX-15D is still being utilized at the BAYRAKTAR-TB2-S Armed UAVs as well.

In line with the decree adopted at the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) meeting on 11 October 2018, TUSAŞ received a new order of a total of 22 ANKA UAVs composed of 16 ANKA-S and 6 ANKA-Bs for the utilization of the security forces under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB). The delivery of the Ground Control Stations, the SARPER SAR/GMTI radar and CATS FLIR payloads will be accomplished with these systems as well. The ANKA Block-A, Block-B and Block-S UAVs under the service of the security forces completed a total of 15,000 hours of flight as of 10 January 2019.

Ukraine Became the Second Export Customer of BAYRAKTAR TB2-S AUAV 

President of Ukraine, Petro POROSHENKO announced the signing of the contract with Turkey on the procurement of BAYRAKTAR TB2 type Unmanned Air Vehicle on 12 January 2019. Ukraine’s President POROSHENKO declared through his social media account that they previously reached an agreement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN on the procurement of the UAVs and added, “A contract for the procurement of Turkish BAYRAKTAR TB2 UAVs to the Ukrainian Army was signed in line with our agreement with President ERDOĞAN”. POROSHENKO underlined that the contract between the Ukrspetseksport under the defense industry company UkrOboronProm and Bayrak Makina was a critical part of the efforts for expanding the technical military cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey and noted that Ukraine’s strategic approach was fully compatible with NATO’s.

In the news by Russian and Ukraine press in November 2018, it was claimed that an agreement was reached, and signatures were put on the contract on Ukraine’s procurement of BAYRAKTAR TB2-S AUAV from Turkey. On the other hand, as part of his two-day visit to Turkey in the beginning of November 2018, POROSHENKO visited Baykar Makina’s Unmanned Air Vehicles Systems Factory with the accompanying delegation and military and other types of UAV solutions were presented to the delegation within the scope of this visit.

It was announced that Ukraine will be paying US$ 69 million to Turkey for 6 BAYRAKTAR TB2-S AUAV (a total of three systems, each composed of two UAVs), 3 Ground Control Stations and 200 Smart Munitions. Ukrainian sources noted that technical maintenance and staff training were also included in the contract. The delivery of three BAYRAKTAR TB2-S AUAV Systems to Ukraine is expected to be completed within 2019.

SSB President Prof. DEMİR stated via his social media account on this export’s success on 13 January 2019 and said, “The export of the first indigenous UAV/AUAV platform BAYRAKTAR TB2 entered in the Turkish Armed Forces to Ukraine is a crucial accomplishment for our Defense Industry. I would like to congratulate Baykar Company and all those who have contributed.”

During the DIMDEX 2018 Fair held on March 12-14, 2018, it was revealed that Baykar Makina secured a contract for the delivery of three BAYRAKTAR TB2-S Armed UAV Systems with six aircraft, FLIR payloads, three Ground Control Stations and a UAV Training Simulator to Qatar Emiri Air Forces Reconnaissance and Surveillance Centre Command, within one-year schedule. BAYRAKTAR TB2-S Armed UAVs will carry Roketsan’s MAM-L and MAM-C smart munitions. Under the contract Baykar Makina will also set up a UAV Operation Center and network-based data tracing and archiving software for the Qatar Emiri Air Forces. Baykar Makina will provide UAV Pilot, Payload (probably CMX-15D) and Maintenance training to Qatar Emiri Air Forces personnel, who will fly BAYRAKTAR TB2-S Armed UAVs, in Turkey. Baykar Makina will provide 2-year logistics support to Qatar Emiri Air Forces for the operation of BAYRAKTAR TB2-S Armed UAVs.

Contract Signed with Aselsan on Serial Production of OMTAS Missiles’ IIR Seekers 

In the statement made by Aselsan on 10 January 2019 to the Public Disclosure Platform, Aselsan announced that a contract worth TL 63 million + EUR 31.5 million with Roketsan was signed regarding the serial production of the IIR Seeker Head of OMTAS Missiles on 10 January 2019. Deliveries within the scope of the contract will take place in 2019-2024.

The OMTAS/MIZRAK-O Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), which is expected to be included in the Turkish Land Forces Command inventory within 2019, is designed to be fired on a tripod or on a land vehicle. Top-attack or direct attack mods and fire-forget or fire-update attack mods of the 160 mm caliber OMTAS, which can be fired from a closed area without harming the gunner, can be selected on the launching system by the gunner prior to the firing. Featuring an uncooled Imaging Infrared seeker head, a two-way radio frequency data link and a tandem warhead that is effective against reactive armors as well, the OMTAS ATGM will be able to be used against a minimum range of 200 m and maximum 4 km. 

Roketsan launched the serial production of OMTAS ATGMs during the second half of 2018. Within the scope of the Weapon Carrier/Anti-Tank Vehicle (WCV) Program, of which contract became effective on 14 October 2017, FNSS will deliver a total of 260 wheeled (76 x PARS 4x4) and tracked (184 KAPLAN-10) type anti-tank vehicles to be integrated with Remotely Operated Anti-Tank Turret. 80 KAPLAN-10 WCVs will be equipped with Kornet-E ATGMs and the remaining 104 will be equipped with Roketsan’s MIZRAK-O/OMTAS ATGMs. All of the 76 PARS 4x4 WCVs will be equipped with Roketsan’s MIZRAK-O/OMTAS ATGMs. 

Signing Ceremony of the SSB’s R&D Projects 

Within the scope of Turkey’s Vision for the year 2023 and in line with the 3% R&D target in the defense industry, signatures were placed for 14 new R&D projects on January 26 as part of the “SSB’s R&D Panels” launched by the Presidency of Defense Industries. In the statement made by the SSB, it was announced that signatures were given for 14 new projects with 11 universities and 3 TÜBİTAK institutes, as either contractors or subcontractors. The projects for which the R&D activities will be made according to the contracts signed are as follows: Development of the SDN and NFV Based 5G Core Network (ÇINAR), Social Media Anomaly Detection, Incident Tracking and Analysis (HAVADİS), Deep Learning Big Data Analysis Platform (Değirmen), Multi - Dimensional Wireless Communication Sign Analysis Platform (KAŞİF), Source Management Algorithms in Cognitive Radio Networks and Test Simulator Development (KAYA), Interference Management at Cognitive Radio Networks (HİZA), Development of New Generation Material for Domes and Optical Windows (KUBBE), Development of Nickel Metal Powder suitable for Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace Applications (ATOM), Development of the Refractor Materials for Missile Jet Wing Applications (REFRAKTER), Project on the Development of Titanium Laminated Manufacturing Process with the Method of Electron Beam Melting (ELEKTRON), Development of Aviation Quality Stainless Steel and Nickel Based Super Alloys (DİNÇ), Development of GAN Based G/A Module Components (AKASYA), Project on the Development of GAN Based High Performance Integrated Circuits operating at Millimeter Wave Band (MOGAN) and Development of Powder Thermobaric Bombs (VOLKAN). As a result of these projects and signed contracts, the aim is the transferring of R&D projects to industry, acquiring the technologic components required within the scope of the sub systems of platforms and main system projects such as military type radios, public security broad band communication network, and intelligence systems. In accordance with the R&D panels launched by the Presidency of Defense Industries, a total of 22 projects commenced in the period between 2017- 2018.

Minister of National Defense Hulusi AKAR’s visited TEI 

Minister of National Defense Hulusi AKAR, Chief of the General Staff Full General Yaşar GÜLER, Commander of the Air Forces General Hasan KÜÇÜKAKYÜZ, Deputy Minister of National Defense Muhsin DERE and the accompanying delegation visited TEI’s premises in Eskişehir. The visit starting with an informative meeting with TEI President and CEO Prof. Mahmut F. AKŞİT and continued with a tour at the facilities. The delegation initially observed tests of the PD170 turbodiesel aviation engine powering the ANKA and the PD222 which is an upper version of the PD170. Then they followed the test of the TS1400 Turboshaft Engine which will be powering the GÖKBEY Light Class Utility Helicopter.

Electronic Support Measure System Factory Acceptance Tests of the 4th MILGEM Vessel TCG “Kınalıada” Fulfilled

According to the news published in the February monthly e-bulletin by Aselsan, the factory acceptance tests of the ARES-2N Electronic Support System manufactured for MILGEM’s fourth vessel TCG “Kınalıada” were completed successfully. During the tests, the ARES-2N Electronic Support System successfully passed numerous performance and function control tests. In the next stage of the project, port and sea acceptance tests are aimed to be accomplished within 2019 after the integration of the system to the vessel platform.

Providing solutions specific to the naval platform at 2-18 GHz operating frequency, the ARES-2N Electronic Support System features the capabilities of detecting, intercepting, identifying, classifying, tracking/monitoring, direction finding, localizing, audio warning, platform correlating and recording the electromagnetic emissions. While the ED System enables the broad band identification of the radar signals, Single DF in wide frequency band and high sign processing features allow the detection and identification of complex radar signals. The system with the precise parameter measurement and advanced emitter characterization capabilities is also capable of monitoring the detected broadcasts and identify their locations. 

SSB Delegation Led by the President of Defense Industries Prof. İsmail DEMİR Visited TÜBİTAK - SAGE 

President of Defense Industries Prof. İsmail DEMİR and the accompanying Vice Presidents of Defense Industries Prof. Faruk YİĞİT, Celal Sami TÜFEKÇİ and Harun ÇELİK visited TÜBİTAK SAGE on 21 January and received information from officials on the latest status of the projects executed by TÜBİTAK SAGE. Following the project presentations, the SSB delegation led by Prof. İsmail DEMİR examined Turkey’s first indigenous Air to Air Missile System GÖKTUĞ which being developed by TÜBİTAK - SAGE and currently under the test phase.

ALKAR Depart for the Duty Station

The ALKAR 120 mm Mortar System integrated to BMC VURAN vehicle was dispatch to its duty station lby the team that developed and manufactured it. According to the news in the February issue of Aselsan’s e-bulletin, ALKAR’s user training was completed and the system directly hit its targets for the ballistic demonstration performed by the user staff in a way aligning with its name (in old Turkish ALKAR means “exterminator, destroyer”). Gaining the admiration of the delegation watching the ballistic training, the ALKAR 120 mm Mortar System’s final controls were completed and the system arrived its duty station. Developed indigenously by Aselsan, the ALKAR 120 mm Mortar System is the first indigenous automatic mortar system. ALKAR System is capable of being integrated to many vehicles of various types including 4x4 vehicles and to fixed plants. Heavy demand from our country and foreign countries is expected soon for the serial production of the ALKAR System. 

AHS-120 Aselsan 120 mm Mortar System, originally designed entirely by Aselsan including sub-systems, is a modern weapon system integrated on a turret equipped with Automatic Barrel Lying System, Automatic Ammunition Loading System, Recoil Mechanism and Fire Control Systems.

Considering today’s increasing demand for automation of mortar systems, AHS-120, like other Aselsan’s weapon systems, is predicted to have a significant share in both domestic and foreign markets. Due to the modular system architecture, system can be integrated to tracked or tactical wheeled platforms as well as stationary platforms. At the same time, modular system architecture enables the integration of any kind of domestic / foreign rifled or smoothbore mortar barrel.

Recoil Mechanism, originally developed by Aselsan engineers, reduces the force transferred to the platform during shooting. This feature increases the variety and number of platforms with which the system can be integrated.

Automatic Ammunition Loading System, originally developed for AHS-120, provides precise, fast and safe loading of ammunition.

Advanced Fire Control System Technology, Automatic Barrel Lying, Automatic Ammunition Loading and Muzzle Velocity Management features enables performing the fire mission in the shortest time, achieving desired effect on the target most effectively with a minimum amount of ammunition and quick deployment.

The precise position and orientation information is provided by the Inertial Navigation System and the system is deployed in a very short time and ready for shooting. While the vehicle is moving, to show the position and directional information provided by the Inertial Navigation System located in AHS-120 on the Driver and Shooter Display Units allows the driver to follow the planned route. 

While providing a mission-oriented, menu driven colored graphical user interface, the system provides a display of battlefield information on a digital map.

Ballistic BORA Missile System Logistical Support Project Inked

The BORA Missile System Logistical Support Project, which will be fulfilling the requirement of keeping the BORA missile systems on active duty with all its functions, was signed between the SSB and Roketsan on 26 January 2019. 

President of Defense Industries Prof. İsmail DEMİR and representatives from the Ministry of National Defense, General Staff, Land Forces Command and Roketsan participated in the signing ceremony held at the Presidency of Defense Industries. On account of this Project, the demand for maintaining the BORA missile systems under the inventory of the Land Forces Command, actively in duty with all its functions will be fulfilled. 

The BORA Missile is recognized as Turkey’s first indigenous and long-range missile and has a range of 280 km and a warhead of 470 kg. The BORA Missile was debut at Roketsan’s booth in IDEF 2017 and then Minister of National Defense Fikri IŞIK shared with the public opinion in May 2017 that the last firing prior to the delivery to the Turkish Armed Forces was accomplished and the first delivery was completed. Different figures were declared by the press regarding the systems to be delivered. As part of the second 100-day action plan shared with public by President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN on 13 December 2018, it was announced that the last lot to be procured would be delivered as part of the BORA Weapon System and the BORA Missile Project. 

Aselsan Delivered the 500th Anti-UAV IHASAVAR System

Drones/Mini UAVs are increasingly becoming a critical threat with each passing day in operational fields especially due to their easy access and are being utilized more by terrorist groups. With the advantages such as their accessibility, which does not require very much training, the practical execution of the modification implementations, these mini platforms have turned out to be severe threats to mobile military units, military and critical facilities from the air dropped explosive attacks.

 Requirements were identified for enabling protection against the utilization of Drones/Mini UAVs for terrorism purposes and as a result of the R&D activities launched by Aselsan in 2017, the Anti-drone that could be easily installed and carried by individuals was first launched at the High-Tech Port event in 2016. Following this first prototype demonstration, consequently demands and orders were received from security forces, and the first deliveries of the system were accomplished in November 2017. The February issue of the Aselsan Bulletin announced that the delivery of the 500th System was accomplished within the scope of the various contracts signed with domestic and foreign customers. 

The Anti-UAV RF Jamming/ Spoofing system is cable of neutralizing all threats that may be generated through drones/ mini UAVs by simultaneously jamming the remote command, GPS/ GLONASS satellite navigation, data and image transfer frequencies. The Anti-Drone RF Jamming/Spoofing system developed is composed of a backpack. This backpack containing a Jammer, a Battery and a control unit additionally has a directed antenna in the form of a 2kg. The user detecting the target through the binoculars over the directed antenna system could direct the RF signals generated by the jammer at a width of 60 degrees, extending wider as it gets further away. Through this broadcast, the signals between the GPS satellites and the user are terminated and thus the drone is neutralized. With the help of this system capable of jamming Remote Command and Data Link frequencies, the drone’s capacity of simultaneous image capturing, and data transfer is also prevented.  

The system is capable of non-stop broadcasting for a minimum of 1.5 hours with rechargeable, high capacity Li-lon batteries. 

Preveze Class Submarines are to be Modernized 

The Preveze Class Submarine Half-Life Modernization Contract was signed between the Presidency of Defense Industries and STM-Aselsan-Havelsan-ASFAT Joint Venture.

In the signing ceremony held at the premises of the SSB, the President of the Defense Industries Prof. İsmail DEMİR, representatives of General Staff, Naval Forces Commanders and the companies who will take part in the project participated.

Within the scope of the project, the existing systems of four Preveze class submarines in the inventory of the Naval Forces Command will be renewed and the submarines will gain new capabilities for naval operations. The four submarines to be modernized are expected to be operational in 2023, 2024, 2026 and 2027, respectively.

SPEWS-II Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System Have Started to be Used in F-16 Block-50 Aircraft

It was announced from the official twitter account of the Presidency of Defense Industries on February 7, 2019 that the tests regarding the SPEWS-II Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System, which was developed jointly by Aselsan and BAE Systems and 60 units (53 mass production and 7 pilot systems) are to be supplied in order to protect the Turkish F-16 C Block-50 Aircraft from missile threats, were completed successfully. In addition, 21 SPEWS-II systems out of a total of 60 were integrated into the aircraft and have started to be used.

The system, consisting of radar warning receiver and RF jammer, operates in compatible manner with other avionics and countermeasure dispensing systems on the platform and performs detection, identification, deceptive RF jamming and deception of hostile radars.