STM General Manager Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: “ALPAGU to Enter the Inventory by the End of 2021!”
Defence Turkey: STM is displaying rotary wing and fixed wing reconnaissance and kamikaze type drones and Tactical Mini UAV Systems in different configuration at its booth. What would you like to say about STM’s objective in the field of kamikaze/attack drone systems?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: Our aim is to progress as a product family from the very beginning. When we look at TOGAN, it is a multi-rotor reconnaissance drone, but since we think of them as a family, we have the chance to observe that with the TOGAN Portable Rotary Wing Reconnaissance UAV System over the same Ground Control Station, it has a much longer endurance, it has a much higher resolution camera, and let's say if you have two separate TOGANs, when one of them runs out of battery power, it automatically descends to the ground, and you can automatically fly the other and perform change of duty. Therefore, you have the chance to observe from the top 24/7. If you install a night vision camera, you can also perform uninterrupted night operation, with a couple of spare batteries.
Defence Turkey: What is the endurance of TOGAN?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: The endurance is approximately 1 hour. Our concept is as follows: We have two TOGANs, one of which descends automatically when the battery is low and the other starts to ascend automatically. If you have two spare batteries, you immediately change the battery of the landed drone, so when the battery of the other runs out, the one on the ground is ready. As I said, the basic logic is that it is possible to control both from the same Ground Control Station, let's say you detected a target with TOGAN, evaluated it and decided to attack. Then you have the chance to automatically fly a KARGU Portable Rotary Wing National Attack UAV from the Ground Control Station. KARGU has already proven itself as the rotary wing platform. That's why our primary objective is to cover certain requirements with small variations on a platform that has proven itself.
Defence Turkey: There are two different KARGU types here, one with a classic explosive and the other with an insertion in the nose similar to the head section of a shaped charge RPG, is that an explosive?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: That’s correct. The loitering munition on the KARGU is referred to as anti-personnel. It has proximity fuse, designed to explode at a certain distance at your choice, and spread the particles over a specific area. But of course, it is not always used as anti-personnel, in some cases it is used against armored vehicles. What you see as a concept here is actually the RF Seeker. We have added this capability to KARGU. With the RF Seekers we have developed (two separate antennas just below the explosive and just ahead of the optical sensor), KARGU can be directed to a radar, RF source when there is any, and the sensor we have developed has the ability to successfully detect the location, distance and frequency of the signal. The motivation for us to develop this type of sensor is that the ground elements can also approach systems such as radars and jammers generating RF signals for various sabotage activities, this is what we have seen in the field. In other words, the operational concept of KARGU with RF Seeker has been developed based on the experience gained by our end users. Special unit elements that can approach the RF generator source on the ground aim to achieve regional security for larger UAV systems or air platforms by destroying these systems completely or temporarily by KARGU with RF Seeker, and by disrupting the jamming or detection processes.
Defence Turkey: Is this passive broadband RF sensor an STM product?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: It has been completely designed and developed by STM within the scope of our R&D activities.
Defence Turkey: How effective will it be against a radar threat?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: In KARGU with the RF seeker sensor, we will be using the shaped charge Armor Piercing Warhead which already has a very critical penetration capability through reinforced steel armor. Suppose that you perform a swarm attack with this, the effect will be much higher.
Defence Turkey: Is there any decrease in endurance or range due to the extra equipment and load placed on the platform?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: Not at critical levels, but of course there will be a slight decrease.
Defence Turkey: What would you like to say about STM's new product BOYGA, Rotary Wing UAV with Mortar Payload, which you unveiled at IDEF ‘21?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: We named the version of KARGU that can drop ammunition, BOYGA. One of the critiques made about KARGU was that it would be better not to destruct itself, because of its high price, but instead drop ammunition. BOYGA is a product developed to this end. In this product, the aim is not only to drop ammunition from the air, an artificial intelligence (AI) and different algorithms have been developed that will provide high hits to the target, taking into account critical parameters such as wind speed, diving speed, etc.
Defence Turkey: As far as I can see, BOYGA carries 81mm mortar ammunition. Is it possible to increase the range by using 81mm mortar ammunition with a guidance kit?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: Certainly, we'll be working on these as well.
Defence Turkey: What can you tell us about the communication antenna on the back side? What is the performance increase in communication range?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: We have developed such a solution with external antenna in order to increase the range of both KARGU and our other products, especially in mountainous areas, and to be able to control and manage drones from beyond line of sight. Thus, we can increase the range up to 13-15 km. The antenna system can be mounted externally and connected to the ground control tablet inside the shelter/position with a cable. In this way, an uninterrupted connection between the drone and the tablet can be maintained, without endangering the operator, even in places that can be defined as critical base areas.
Defence Turkey: You are also displaying the new 8-cell launcher you have just developed for the ALPAGU Portable Fixed Wing Attack UAV System. Do you have any plans to expand the platform size and to integrate ALPAGU with different platforms? For example, Israeli Navy has this type of launcher available on its gunboats.
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: Of course, as you know ALPAGU is a very lightweight product, around 2 kg with the launch tube. The concept here is to be able to take the ALPAGU out of your backpack in the event of an ambush or etc., put the tube on the ground and launch it by simply pressing the button. Hopefully, ALPAGU will enter the inventory by the end of 2021.
Defence Turkey: So, was the contract made?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: It will be made. We will be progressing in terms of integration into ground vehicles and naval platforms, both with the existing ALPAGU and by increasing its size as you mentioned. You know the current ALPAGU is a product developed for anti-personnel purposes. As STM, we will continue efforts to develop different solutions over this product family.
Defence Turkey: What is STM’s local content rate in Fixed and Rotary Wing, Mini Attack UAV Systems and Unmanned Systems for Reconnaissance and Surveillance that are included in the product portfolio?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: As you know, one of the primary tasks of STM is to increase the local content rate, especially in military naval platforms, a task directly given to us by the Presidency of Defense Industries. This is always our primary goal. For example, the local content rate, which was 25% in the first MilGem Corvette, is now 75%. We are working to increase the local content rate also in these products while we are working on new variations.
Defence Turkey: When we buy a military product from abroad, mostly the export version of this product is delivered to us. So, when we sell these products, are the delivered products the export model or do they have the same capabilities as the ones in the inventory of the users in Turkey?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: What we always do is to develop export versions and deliver them.
Defence Turkey: What kind of models/variations will we see in the field of Fixed and Rotary Wing, Mini Attack UAV Systems and Unmanned Systems for Reconnaissance and Surveillance at the STM booth at IDEF '23?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: can say that all the capabilities that we can provide through the platform will be available on the KARGU Family. We will be working on concepts in which we can use ALPAGU, KARGU and maybe the TOGAN Family as a swarm. We have the KERKES Project, you know, we have infrastructures for position finding in circumstances without GNSS and GPS.
Defence Turkey: In such cases, do you use geographic data?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: There are geographical data and there are other data that we benefit from. You need to use different sensors and algorithms so that you can accurately detect your location.
Defence Turkey: Is the KARGU model to be equipped with Armor Piercing Warhead and Passive RF Seeker a finished product or is it in the development stage?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: The development stage is about to be finalized, this was demonstrated several times and it was successful each time. But for now, the contract is not awarded yet, we hope to conclude the contract at the earliest possible time.
Defence Turkey: Let's talk briefly about your naval projects. What would you like to say about the latest status of the Turkish Type Assault Boat Project? For example, an agreement was signed between TEI and GE Marine for LM2500 and LM500 Gas Turbines during the IDEF’21, is the LM500 Gas Turbine also included in your concept?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: Within the scope of the contract, we signed with the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) in 2020, we are developing the contract design of the Turkish Type Assault Boat that will meet the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces. As you know, we, as STM, are the largest engineering and design company in our country in the field of military maritime. We evaluate all possibilities to develop a platform that will meet the needs of our Navy and serve our country for many years, while we carry out our project activities. In this framework, we conduct our research on all alternatives, including the products you mentioned, and all options that will provide the maximum performance are submitted for the approval of both the Turkish Naval Forces and the SSB.
Defence Turkey: At the end of the process, will you be offering the SSB and the Naval Forces three different configuration options as A, B and C, or a single solution that you think will best cover the need?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: We carry out our activities in close coordination with the Naval Forces and the SSB. We are working on multiple options for the hull structure and system configuration. We will focus on the most appropriate design to be determined among the alternatives.
Defence Turkey: STM has assumed the main contractor role in the MILGEM Project of the Ukrainian Naval Forces. What would you like to say about the Ukraine Corvette Project?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: As STM, we signed a Technology Transfer Cooperation contract with Ukraine, covering also the construction of corvettes. We initiated our shipbuilding activities at a private shipyard in Turkey within the scope of the project we are carrying out as the main contractor, and the project is progressing as per the schedule. Some of our customers may restrict external sharing of the project at the contract stage, for this reason, it would not be appropriate to share more information on technical details.
Defence Turkey: We have not seen any press release or contract announcement regarding the LM2500 Gas Turbine order for the first I-Class Frigate. Did I just miss it, or has it not been ordered yet?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: As I previously mentioned, we, as STM, do not share such detailed information about many of the projects we carry out. The configuration of the I-Class Frigate is similar to that of the ADA Class Corvettes. In this sense, there is no problem with the Main Propulsion System. The answer to your question specific to the Gas Turbine is that the LM2500 Gas Turbine supply has been finalized.
Defence Turkey: As for the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Project, could you inform us about the tender process and the number of vessels? Has STM been selected for the Project or is it amongst the potential candidates?
Özgür GÜLERYÜZ: As STM, we work on new concepts specific to the platforms that are needed by both our Naval Forces and the navies of friendly countries whenever we have the opportunity. We have concept designs in many variations; not only for OPV, but also for many different surface platforms and even submarines. Consequently, STM will undertake any responsibility the high-level authorities may assign.
Defence Turkey: Thank you for sparing your valuable time for our readers
