Aselsan Rapidly Rising in the field of Active Protection Systems

In last decade, the importance of main battle tanks (MBTs) has increased in the modern operational environment, and as such, rocket (RPG) and anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) usage against MBTs has increased in parallel. Traditional passive armors have become inadequate in protecting MBTs; hence, taking new kind of measures becomes an ultimate necessity.

In order to meet this emerging demand, Aselsan has started working on active protection technologies and developed the PULAT System as a first outcome. PULAT was developed in a very short time span with great effort and was qualified by testing against hundreds of RPGs and ATGMs.  It started to be used by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in M60T MBTs. PULAT, one of the few Active Protection Systems (APS) used operationally in the world, has increased the survivability of Turkish MBTs.

Aselsan, ever-growing in active protection technologies, has also been developing the active protection system AKKOR, specially designed for ALTAY MBTs.  AKKOR is currently at the stage of field tests and will be delivered to the TAF along with ALTAY MBTs mass production. 

Aselsan, creating products used operationally with the AKKOR & PULAT active protection product family, will be a pioneer in the world in active protection systems. 

Another First From Aselsan in the Field of EW 

The effective use of Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems, which has been rapidly developing in recent years, has an important role in operations and enables strategic superiority between parties by strengthening defence and coordination among allied troops. 

During the operation, the parties can be faced with either the jamming or deception of their radar and communication systems or attempts to collect the intelligence data of the threat zone. When these circumstances occur, it is important to experience the impacts of it and how to counterattack or apply realistic countermeasure techniques.  

For this purpose, Aselsan continues to develop the most comprehensive Project as a first in Turkey; RAKAS and MUKAS in order to train experts who will have advanced technical capabilities while experiencing the realistic EW environment. Under this context, the MUKAS System as a first training system of the project contains both Electronic Communications Support and Electronic Attack capabilities. It has completed its user acceptance tests in the field successfully and now it is ready for operational use. Meanwhile the RAKAS System that combines Radar and Communication Electronic Support and Electronic Attack capabilities is being developed by Aselsan and is planned to be launched in the upcoming period.

MUKAS is a tactical field training system, which was developed for Turkish Armed Force (TAF) Communication EW Operators to learn how to use the system efficiently under electromagnetic environments that contain threat factors.

The MUKAS System was designed on a single vehicle where Communication Electronic Support and Electronic Attack capabilities in HF, UHF and VHF frequency bands can work in unison. The system capabilities include high accuracy direction findings, efficient jamming, deception, signal detection and signal analysis. By means of these design features, it is Turkey’s first Communication Electronic Warfare Simulator and a comprehensive system that is not common in the World. 

On the other hand, the RAKAS tactical field training simulator is designed as a single system where both Radar and Communication Electronic Support and Attack capabilities can work together. The System is applicable of using both for Naval and Land platforms  and its outstanding features are detection and classification of the radar signal, automatic multi target tracking via RF and optical sensors, radar and electronic attack simulations, jamming and deception of the target communication system in HF, UHF and VHF frequency band. Overall, it aims to train radar and communication operators on collecting intelligence data, understanding the effects of Electronic Attacks, analyzing and developing counter ECCM techniques. 

Aselsan to Meet Future Needs with NG-MDS

The self-protection capabilities of airborne platforms of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) will be improved further with Aselsan’s new generation systems.

As threats for airborne platforms evolve, the countermeasure decoys, applied techniques and the self-protection systems evolve and improve as well.  Aselsan closely follows this progress and carries on its efforts to stay up to date by foreseeing the needs of the Armed Forces. Aselsan’s New Generation Countermeasure Dispensing System (NG-CMDS) that is currently in the development phase, is being presented at IDEF‘19 with the first conceptual design outputs. 

As the indigenous product development effort is continuing with the contributions of the domestic industry, Aselsan also actively participates within the NATO sub group studies working on these technologies. With more than 10 companies worldwide, that are important CMDS System and decoy suppliers, the NG-CMDS System of Aselsan has demonstrated superior performance during these sub group studies. 

The NG-CMDS is designed to satisfy the countermeasure dispensing needs of the airborne platforms ranging from rotary wing platforms to fighter jets, taking into account the future requirements of such needs. The system will provide the infrastructure to use new generation decoys and provide flexible solutions for the varying needs of different platform types. The capabilities of the Aselsan ÖZIŞIK CMDS System, that has been in use for a long time by the TAF and other users around the world, is improved for future combat fields. The qualification tests of the NG-CMDS are planned to start within 2019 with the pilot production units.  

High Frequency is Our Expertise

Besides using wired communication in the tactical and strategic field, radio communication systems are also used according to different requirement and scenarios. For that reason, the HF (High Frequency) frequency band is important for radio communication systems. The V/UHF Frequency band is used for short distance and short duration communication however the HF frequency band is used for long distance and long-term communication, for this purpose ground wave, sky wave and NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) is used in the tactical/strategic field. 

Scanning, detection, Direction Finding (DF), location fixing, parameter extraction, recording and analysis capabilities becomes a necessity for intelligence in the HF frequency band like the V/UHF frequency band, and also attacking has critical importance in harming or completely blocking the target HF com¬munications and/or causing incorrect data transmission ensuring an advantage for friendly troops in the tactical field.

Aselsan has been developing HF Electronic Support (ES) and Electronic Attack (EA) Systems for a long time. HF ES/EA Systems are in the validation phase and after completion of the field tests, the Systems will be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). 

Acoustic Sensors of PREVEZE Class Submarines will be Provided by Aselsan

Within the scope of the PREVEZE Class Submarine Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Program, acoustic sensors, which are the basic and most important sensor group of a submarine, will be replaced with more modern, more effective and indigenous sensors.  In this context, by changing wet-end units of the Cylindrical Array, Passive Ranging Sonar, Flank Array Sonar (FAS), Intercept Sonar, Active Sonar and Own Noise Measurement Systems, the acoustic capabilities of our PREVZE Class submarines will be improved.

General Features

Digital output

Minimum ambient noise effect

High signal gain

High front to back signal ratio

Low cabling

Modularity

Sensor BIT feature

FERSAH Displayed for the First Time at IDEF ‘19

Within the scope of the BARBAROS Class Frigate Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Project Contract, signed with the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), the FERSAH Hull Mounted Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Sonar will be showcased for the first time at IDEF ‘19. 

FERSAH is a Hull Mounted Sonar System, developed for frigate and corvette platforms that will be built or modernized, which operates in the medium frequency band as active and passive mode and its primary task is to meet the needs of ASW. In addition to ASW, Aselsan’s FERSAH also has an object avoidance sonar mode. The system consists of 5 units including the Sonar Wet-End, Connection Box, Power Cabinet, Processor Cabinet and the Operator Console.

General Features

Modern signal processing algorithms

Compliance with military environmental standards

Ability to work independently

Integration into Combat Management System

Extensive Built-In Test (BIT) feature

Water-cooled cabinet structure

Acoustic data recording

Training simulator

Open architecture and modular design

User friendly interface

ACAR to Target UAVs

Aselsan widened its ACAR Surveillance Radar Family, which is one of the most important members of the homeland security and border surveillance product portfolio, with the ACAR-UAV Surveillance Radar to counter the rising threat of mini/micro UAV’s.  The ACAR-UAV Surveillance Radar is designed and developed for detecting and tracking fixed and rotating wing mini/micro UAV targets. The ACAR-UAV is a man-portable, all weather, day-and-night operable radar system which complies with applicable military standards.

The ACAR-UAV can classify mini/micro UAV targets with its automatic classification capability and provides track-while-scan capabilities for 100 simultaneous targets. The ACAR-UAV is designed as a fully solid-state Ku-Band radar system. With its 400 of simultaneous elevation coverage and 15 rpm antenna rotational speed, the ACAR-UAV provides superior performance in detecting, tracking and classifying fast and maneuvering mini/micro UAV targets. 

HİSAR Air Defence Missile Imaging Infrared Seeker Continues to Prove its Performance in Ballistic Test Activities 

The Imaging Infrared Seeker (IIR) being developed for the HİSAR projects by the Aselsan Micro- Electronics Guidance and Electro-Optics Sector Directorate successfully accomplished its target acquisition/ tracking tasks against high speed target aircraft during ballistic tests as part of the HİSAR Low/ Medium Altitude Air Defence Missile System Projects that are being executed in order to fulfil Turkey’s air defence requirements. The missile displayed an effective performance under terminal guidance and with the indigenously developed high resolution HİSAR Infrared Seeker with cooling detector, critical advantages were gained within the scope of the air defence missile seeker technologies. 

KARAOK Anti – Tank Missile’s Infrared Seeker Prototype in Test Phase 

The test activities are underway for the infrared seeker prototype developed for the shoulder launched KARAOK guided anti-tank missile. 

The single–use new generation short range anti-tank missile, developed indigenously, features fire-and-forget mode, and it is capable of destroying heavy armored vehicles by directly shooting them or shooting them from above.  This missile could be manufactured and utilized by a limited number of countries in the world. KARAOK’s infrared seeker is being developed by Aselsan. 

Infrared Seeker of the Indigenous Anti- Tank Missile UMTAS in Serial Production

Activities continue regarding the mass production of the Infrared Seeker for one of the powerful weapons of the Indigenous Attack Helicopter T129 ATAK, the UMTAS (Long Range Anti-Tank Missile). 

The UMTAS infrared seeker could be used efficiently up to 8km with the help of the image transferred to the marksman in cases where the target is either in or out of the line of sight against fixed and mobile targets with its “fire-and-forget” and “fire-and-update” modes. The seeker is capable of; 

Performing lock-on and automatic target tracking functions over the image transferred by the seeker to the marksman’s monitor marked by the user prior to firing in the fire-and-forget mode. 

And in the fire-and-update mode, the seeker can be locked onto the actual target tracked over the seeker image transmitted from the missile sent to the coordinates of the target by the marksman and moreover when a new target is identified it is capable of updating by locking onto this new target. 

The New and High Resolution Version of the CATS System DASS will be on Call Soon

Aselsan launched new generation vision system development activities at the end of 2018. This new system will feature sensors with higher resolution compared with the CATS System. This newly developed system is planned to be dubbed the DASS Electro – Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting System. 

In addition to the Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) and aircrafts, DASS System could be utilized by rotary wing platforms or high resonance platforms capable of operating in medium and low altitude and capable of artillery shooting.

The CATS System infrastructure will be utilized in the DASS System and the higher resolution versions of the sensors existing in the CATS System will be used. 

The DASS System features the SWIR Camera, Laser Point Tracker and Acute-Angled Day Television options. Additional sensors may be integrated to the system on account of its distributed sensor structure and critical amenities may be provided during the production and test procedures of the system.

The DASS System is planned to be launched into mass production in 2020.

Turkish Navy’s Sea Eyes Provide Vision 

Aselsan’s naval electro -optical systems in different sizes and characteristics have started to be included in the Turkish Naval Forces inventory in respect to naval platform requirements in a wide variety ranging from small search and rescue boats to airplane carriers.  

Following the integration of the Seaeye -AHTAPOT Electro-Optical Director System to the ADA Class TCG Burgazada corvette, the Seaeye Systems to be respectively integrated to the TCG Kınalıada and the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship the TCG Anadolu, feature the characteristic of being the first genuine naval surveillance systems that are fully designed and manufactured with local resources.

The Seaeye Group, which will be the main vision system of the Turkish Navy and Turkish Coast Guard as of 2019, is composed of the PİRİ, AHTAPOT, KIRLANGIÇ, LİS, ORFOZ and the MARTI systems, designed for all naval platforms of all sizes.

Aselsan will be introducing the PİRİ - Infrared Search and Tracking System into utilization in 2019.  It is the most competent and effective infrared band radar system in the world, developed in line with the demands of the Turkish Armed Forces and named after the great Turkish Sailor PİRİ REİS. The security of the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) the TCG Anadolu will be maintained in maximum with the Laser Warning System (LWS) capable of perceiving laser threats from the enemy used with the PİRİ System which is capable of detecting and tracking all threats around the vessel, again with Aselsan’s advanced technological infrastructure. 

Very few countries in the world are capable of fulfilling their all of their own requirements regarding electro-optical reconnaissance and surveillance of their own Naval Forces in the full sense.  Aselsan’s Seaeye group eliminated the foreign dependency in naval electro-optical systems.

Aselsan Solutions Against Newly Emerged Threats

Aselsan introduced new generation ship defence systems against Swarm Drone Strikes that emerged as a new generation threat in order to neutralize the high combat capability of the battleships. The Seaeye Group, designed and manufactured fully with indigenous resources, is the backbone of the aforementioned defence systems revealed in order to automatically detect and track numerous Mini/ Macro UAVs and eventually destroy the threats with laser guns in an active and coordinated manner without resorting to the use of ammunition.

The aforementioned new generation ship defence concept is structured in a way to be embedded over the PİRİ - Infrared Search and Tracking System named after the great Turkish seaman PİRİ REİS. PİRİ will automatically detect and track hundreds of threats simultaneously, then transfer these targets over the Laser Defence System (LDS) in the most optimal order, the high-power laser guns within the LDS will destroy these targets in turn and therefore the swarm drone attacks threatening the ship will be neutralized. In this way, Aselsan is forming a hybrid solution with high technology which it has developed with the company’s own resources.

With the Swarm drone defence systems making great progress in Anti - Drone Systems in recent years, Aselsan is ready to fulfil its responsibilities in the protection of the Turkish Naval Forces.

STAMP - The Star of Exports has been Renewed

The STAMP Remote Controlled Stabilized Machine Gun Platform, which has been sold to 19 different countries so far, is being displayed with a more capable, smaller and lighter design as the STAMP-2 at IDEF19.

The STAMP-2 Remote Controlled Weapon System has been developed in line with the changing user requirements and it will be introduced at IDEF19. The demand is growing rapidly for the STAMP-2 System that is sold to the Turkish Naval Forces and different countries abroad. This system provides near area defence against potential asymmetric threats related to naval platforms even under challenging environmental circumstances. 7.62mm, 12.7mm machine guns and 40mm grenade launchers could be integrated to the STAMP-2 system that could be remotely commanded by an operator. With the assistant of its laser distant meter, day and night vision cameras, automatic target acquisition and tracking, precise stabilization and automatic ballistic application capabilities, the system continues to increase its high shooting performance in respect to surface and air targets.

The training simulator, improved user interface and precise stabilized electro -optical system stand out among the updates to the STAMP-2 System. The system stands apart from its international competitors with the help of the new features added by Aselsan. On account of the under-deck ammunition feed capacity, the ship crew is able to feed ammunition to the system without being exposed to counter fire when the ammunition in the system decreases. The action limits of the STAMP-2 are increased as well and with the help of the precise stabilized router, the STAMP-2 could also be utilized without directing it towards the target under surveillance mode. 

One of the renewed features of the STAMP-2 system is the user interface. In the updated system, the size of the screen has been increased to 19 inches. The simultaneous display of the day vision and thermal camera images over the screen provide a great advantage to the user during implementation. The improved user graphic interfaces and embedded training simulator are on par with popular computer games on the market. In this way, it is possible to specialize in the utilization of the system in a more pleasant and practical way.

Aselsan’s Touch Operated Smart Cockpit Debuts with GÖKBEY

The new generation smart cockpit of the T625 GÖKBEY Lightweight-Class Utility Helicopter and all its avionic systems were developed by Aselsan.  One more solution was added to its competitive and innovative solutions in the global aerospace market with this new generation smart cockpit.

As the leading association of the Turkish defence industry, in order to fulfil domestic and foreign demands, Aselsan successfully conducts the development and manufacturing of the most critical avionic products used in helicopters, aircraft and unmanned air vehicles, and the integration of these systems to air platforms as well as the after sales services.

The first hover flight of the T625 GÖKBEY Utility Helicopter project was executed under the main contractor ship of Turkish Aerospace and equipped with Aselsan’s new generation smart cockpit indicators.  This indigenous avionic system was successfully accomplished on September 6th, 2018.

The new generation smart cockpit MATE (Modular Avionics Touchscreen Environment) is admired by users and is composed of two touchscreen displays with a size of 8 inches x 20 inches x 10 inches. While decreasing the workload of pilots, these cockpits elevate flight safety to the maximum level. 

MATE was developed to be compatible with the civil aviation standards of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) enabling pilots to manage all systems over the helicopter via the touchscreen cockpit displays. The navigation, communication, identification for friend or foe, electronic battle and electro -optical systems of the helicopter were designed by Aselsan as well.

The T625 GÖKBEY Utility Helicopter’s flight and task management software was also developed by Aselsan. This software allows the helicopter to conduct Performance Based Navigation up to the level of RNP 0.3 (Required Navigation Performance 0.3) in all civil air spaces across the world. With the help of Aselsan’s indigenous digital map and obstacle detection system software, the aim is for pilots to be able to conduct secure flights even under the harshest conditions.

Turkish and Global Marines are Under the Guard of Aselsan Deniz Electronic Warfare Systems

The Naval Electronic Warfare (EW) systems identify friend and foe platforms around the surface or underwater platform through perceiving and categorizing the electromagnetic signals sent by the radar devices over them. These are the most crucial systems to assist the commander of the vessel in making the proper decisions according to the friend or foe categorization of the platforms. Since the systems operate completely in a passive manner, they cannot be detected by hostile platforms as they perform their tasks. Moreover, through the actively operating EW systems, by interfering with the radars of the hostile platforms directing the missile or the guided missile threats towards the platform with the help of the electromagnetic signals sent, they stand out as an indispensable component as part of the self - protection task of the platform.  These systems operate as a sub-component of the National Electronic Warfare Suite (NEWS) and could be utilized at a high reaction speed and high efficiency level in order to minimize operator interaction.

Aselsan Naval EW Systems contain the product groups named the ARES (Aselsan Radar ESM System) and the AREAS (Aselsan Radar Electronic Attack System) with different versions in accordance with various platform requirements and fully indigenous equipment, software and algorithms. A cooperation was built with the Naval Forces Command Research Center Command (ARMERKOM) in the design of the systems and in this way a high level of effectiveness and field success could be achieved.

The aforementioned systems could be integrated to many different platforms such as Submarines, Frigates, Assault Boats, Corvettes and Support Ships so far and soon they will be integrated to the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship, the TCG Anadolu platform which will be our country’s first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD).

Compared with their competitors, the ARES and AREAS series Aselsan Naval EW systems have many technological effectiveness superiorities and they could be integrated to the underwater and surface platforms of friendly and allied countries. Negotiations with numerous countries are being conducted for the integration of these systems to the naval ships of the world, increasing the export of such systems with high added value.

AESA SAR POD to Take Part in Aselsan’s SAR Product Group

One of the leading companies of the Turkish Defence Industry, Aselsan continues to generate indigenous solutions towards the radar system requirements of our country. With the justified pride of introducing numerous radar systems to the utilization of our Armed Forces since the 90s, Aselsan bears the responsibility arising from being the pioneer company of the sector and continues its intense activities. The AESA SAR Pod developed with the high technology, that is owned by only a small number of countries, emerged as a result of perseverance and a steadfast schedule and it will contribute to the security of our country.

The Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) are used by being integrated to satellites or manned/ unmanned air vehicles enabling the imaging of the earth in night and day and under all types of weather conditions including rainy and cloudy weather, and the identification of naval targets and mobile ground targets. SAR radars are being used in reconnaissance and surveillance implementations in the military area and for activities such as the imaging of agricultural areas, crisis management and urban and regional planning in civilian areas.

The final acceptance tests of the first imaging and mobile target acquisition radar SARPERTM Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) System developed by Aselsan with the ANKA Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) was completed in 2016. The mass production of the SARPERTM System that became operational over the ANKA was accomplished and the system was delivered.

The AESA SAR Pod system is a lighter and more compact new generation SAR system that fulfils the tactical reconnaissance and surveillance requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and that could be used as a disposable load in air platforms. The AESA SAR Pod features advanced capabilities such as walk detection mode and could be used for various purposes over manned/ unmanned and civilian/ military air platforms in different sizes. This is a product capable of competing in international markets.

The ASEA SAR Pod’s diameter is 16 cm, its length is 94cm and it is lighter than 23kg. With the help of its POD structure, it was designed to enable an installation under the wings as well as the air frame. In this way, simultaneous utilization with different sensors such as electro - optical sensors under the air frame was rendered available in the platform. Following the image capture from distant ranges via the radars and the acquisition of mobile targets, these targets could be identified with the electro - optical sensors. With the help of SAR capability, by comparing the images captured in different intervals over a given region, the minor changes over the field as well as the structural changes such as buildings, roads or airports may be identified