Turkey`s First Indigenous Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle "ULAQ”
Operating with domestic capital in the defense industry, ARES Shipyard and METEKSAN Defence have launched Turkey’s first Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV) program as a result of intensive R&D activities, which have been going on for the last couple of years. AUSV is the first prototype platform of the “ULAQ” line, which successfully destroyed the target by firing guided missiles for the first time in the world from an Unmanned Surface Vehicle and completed all tests including the firing tests with the 12.7mm weapon system.
ULAQ brings about a great advantage over conventional manned ships due to its dramatically lower life cycle costs. Likewise, they are lighter than conventional vessels and can reach more endurance with the same amount of supplies. On the other hand, ULAQ is more advanced than a manned platform in terms of its ability to detect threats, being stronger than human perceptions, and revealing situational awareness more clearly, thanks to the sensors on it.
The most important force multiplier effect of ULAQ USVs, which can be used effectively in areas such as reconnaissance, surveillance, transportation, maritime patrol, search and rescue, is that they can also be used in attacking scenarios. It is another aptitude that they can not only provide information with intelligence, but also undertake very important tasks such as target marking, detection, deterrence and destruction of surface and subsurface vessels, providing frontline homeland defense of homeland and strategic base/port/ship entities. Considering that, ULAQ USVs are are capable of carrying out many more of these tasks effectively and at low cost.
The first ULAQ prototype is a fast, guided missile-carrying version. Likewise the prototype ULAQ, has a long cruising range, speed over 35 knots, day/night vision capability, autonomy, encrypted and electronic warfare protected communication infrastructure; it is capable of executing tasks such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Intelligence, Surface Warfare, Asymmetric Warfare, Armed Escort and Force Protection, Strategic Facility Security. The second version of the prototype completed in 2021, is equipped with a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon system for critical base/facility and port security missions in addition to reconnaissance and patrolling duties.
Following the existing version, which is the first phase of the project initiated by ARES Shipyard and METEKSAN Defence in the field of unmanned surface vessels and firing tests of which were successfully completed, serial production of ULAQ USVs for ISR, SAR, ASW, MCM and Fi-Fi missions are going on by benefiting from the know-how obtained from the prototype.
In particular, in addition to the Anti-Surface Warfare version, which is in production for the Turkish Navy, two new versions of the ULAQ family are next in the production line for different end users one of which is an Unmanned SAR Vessel where the other is for Anti-Submarine Warfare missions. A longer-range anti-surface missile (approximately 150 km) carrier ULAQ on the hand, is currently in the detaileddesign phase and targeted to be ready for missile tests by the end of 2022
