ULAQ;
has been built from advanced composites, has 400 km range, 65 km/h speed,
day/night vision capabilities, encrypted communication infrastructure, which can
be operated from mobile vehicles and headquarters or from sea platforms such as aircraft
carriers or frigates, will be used for missions like intelligence,
surveillance, reconnaissance, surface warfare, asymmetric warfare, escort
missions, strategic infrastructure protection.
The
prototype vessel; whose design was completed in August and the structural build
has just been completed, is planned to be launched into Mediterranean waters in
December after completion of outfitting. First AUSV’s missile systems are
inclusive of 4 cells of Cirit and 2 of L-UMTAS, supplied by our national missile
systems provider ROKETSAN, where the firing tests are planned in the first
quarter of 2021.
Along
with the missile systems, AUSV will be equipped with different variations of
communication and intelligence systems like jamming and electronic warfare systems
to correspond diverse operational needs. AUSV will be able to carry out joint operations
with complementary forces such as UAV’s, AUAV’s and TUAV’s. Furthermore, AUSV
is not only a remotely controlled vehicle but also and more importantly an
autonomous vehicle that hosts artificial intelligence.
It
is stated by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence that; after the first prototype
vessel, other USVs for the operations like surveillance and intelligence, mine
counter measures, anti-submarine warfare, firefighting, search and rescue
missions, will be ready to manufacture accordingly.
In
the joint press conference dated 28 October 2020, ARES Shipyard CEO Utku ALANC expressed;
“We are indescribably happy and proud to announce the launch of the first Armed
Unmanned Surface Vehicle program after years of intensive engineering works and
investments following our dream. We have achieved this success and pride with
our owner’s equity investments by prioritizing our national interests as it
always has been. We hereby present the Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV) as
the first platform of the “ULAQ” line to be launched in December. ULAQ is a
messenger, an envoy from the Ancient Turkish Culture who represents the state
with his extraordinary skills since Central Asia. Along with the intelligence
and experience, ULAQ possesses extreme warriorship capabilities. Thereupon, the
AUSV we have developed, have been named after “ULAQ.”
METEKSAN
Defence CEO Selçuk Alparslan stated; “We have once again understood the
importance of the ”Blue Homeland” defense, economic exclusive zone protection,
protection of maritime borders of the Turkish Peninsula especially with
recently emerging disputes. As METEKSAN Defence, we are very proud to utilize our
technologic assets of know-how in communication and sensor systems for
development of Unmanned Surface Vehicles and present you the very first Armed
Unmanned Surface Vehicle of Turkey with ARES Shipyard today. While designing the
critical electronic systems of the platform, we have sought the maximum indigenousness
and fully considered the operational needs of Turkish Armed Forces. May ULAQ
bring the best of luck and success to Turkish Armed Forces and to Blue Homeland.”
About ARES Shipyard:
Comprising
five production facilities located in the Antalya Free Zone, ARES Shipyard has
built more than 100 vessels in various classes and lengths. ARES Shipyard fulfills
various types of military and commercial marine platform needs with its young
and dynamic team, customer-oriented approach and Integrated Logistic Support
(ILS) system.
At
the heart of ARES Shipyard’s success are its willingness to partner with
leading design and equipment providers around the world such to produce
best-in-class vessel designs, to use the latest technology and highly-trained
personnel to ensure superior build quality, and, above all, to fully engage
with the client at all stages to ensure that their needs are met or exceeded.
With
these principles, ARES Shipyard has become one of the largest composite and
aluminum boat builders in Europe, awarded the titles of World’s Best Patrol
Boat Builder, Turkey’s fastest-growing company and its largest exporter of military and commercial vessels.
About
METEKSAN Defence:
METEKSAN Defence Industry
Inc. was established in 2006 in order to combine and coordinate the projects
and activities of the high technology companies operating within the body of
Bilkent Holding for the defense industry on a single roof. The establishment
purpose of the company is to develop and produce independent and unique
high-tech products and subsystems for the Turkish Armed Forces and other
security forces in line with the vision of The Presidency of Defense
Industries.
METEKSAN Defence, which operates in six fields being the Radar Systems, Perimeter Surveillance Systems, Laser and Electro-Optic Systems, Communication Systems, Underwater Acoustic Systems and Platform Simulators, takes part in critical platform projects such as domestic ships, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, development of anti-tank missile launching systems and air defense missile systems. The main domestic and state of the art products developed by METEKSAN Defence are radar for helicopters and UAVs, surveillance radars, altimeters, data links of tactical and strategic missile systems, sonar systems, underwater early warning and communication systems and training simulators.
ULAQ AUSV / SİDA Launch Meeting Press Release