Interview regarding ULAQ from 3 days ago done by
savunmasanayist.
Google Translate:
Turkey's first Armed Unmanned Vessel (Sida) ULAQ, developed by ARES Shipyard with Meteksan Defense. As you will remember; The ULAQ was launched on October 28, 2020.
Meteksan Defense Deputy General Manager Dr. Erdal TORUN and General Manager of ARES Shipyard Özgün Utku ALANÇ answered the questions of SavunmaSanayiST about ULAQ Armed Unmanned Marine Vehicle after the launch.
SavunmaSanayiST
: During the launch, a SİDA Prototype equipped with CİRİT and L-UMTAS Missiles welcomed us. However, it is known that the ULAQ will also have different configurations and even be equipped with an Anti-Ship Missile. What kind of planning is there? When will the Anti-Ship model launch the Anti-Ship Missile?
Özgün Utku Alanç: ULAQ is the name of our Unmanned Watercraft series. So it's actually a brand. ULAQ brand has different models. The Armed Unmanned Marine Vehicle (SİDA) is our prototype model. Besides; There is also a model that we are planning to equip with an Anti-Ship Missile, there is a firefighting boat model, a minesweeper / hunting boat, a submarine defense warfare (DSH) boat… All of these designs are at the preliminary design stage.
"When will an anti-ship model launch a missile?" The answer to the question is actually something that will be determined by the end user. We activated the SİDA prototype during the launch. I am sure we will complete it successfully. Then, if the end user tells us, "Let's throw a torpedo, throw an Anti-Ship Missile or not throw at all, let's do electronic warfare"; We wanted to give the message that we are ready in terms of a preliminary design for all of them.
Of course, while giving this ready message, the designs there are not empty. In other words, the platform we plan to use in the anti-ship model that can fire such a missile system is a platform that is 2 - 2.5 times the size of the ULAQ. When you double in size, you increase 3-4 times in displacement. In addition, the structural materials are different. While we use advanced composite materials in SİDA, we are now turning to aluminum in the anti-ship model. Therefore, these preliminary designs also have a certain infrastructure.
Turkish Navy and ULAQ
SavunmaSanayiST
: What is the request of the Turkish Navy regarding ULAQ?
Özgün Utku Alanç: We are in constant contact with our Naval Forces Command. If the Turkish Naval Forces chose ULAQ, it would be our greatest pleasure, and export would be much easier when the Navy chose. We have seen an example of this in UAVs.
SavunmaSanayiST: Since it is an unmanned system, communication is of high importance here. In the communication section, the control of the platform is generally focused on, but what kind of a path is being followed regarding the communication of the ammunition to be used on the platform
?
Dr. Erdal TORUN: Modern armies tend to use such autonomous systems. Our army already has a modern inventory. Therefore, we inform the Turkish Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry Presidency in each of our works. Of course, we develop the product with our own resources, but we believe they will make use of it after the product is released.
If we come to your question; In the current SİDA prototype, we establish data communication over C-Band in a way that communicates
Line-of-Sight (LOS) . This stands out as a system resistant to electronic warfare. Of course, in order for an autonomous system to be able to contact an area such as the Sea of Islands without data loss, different solutions must be put forward. Accordingly, our solutions for satellite communication (SatCom) will also come.
On the other hand, in order to get an effective efficiency from such systems, you need to use it in a network and integrated with many platforms. In this sense, you should be able to manage and manage more than one unmanned marine vehicle in a lot of logic, in contact with manned or unmanned vehicles, other ships, combat management systems, and operations centers on land. To achieve this, we will establish a tactical data link and establish an uninterrupted communication infrastructure. This is an issue that is among the works of Meteksan Defense for different platforms, and it is also included in our roadmap for ULAQ.
SavunmaSanayiST: When we look at the weapon load of the prototype product, the CİRİT Missile and L-UMTAS stand out. This can be quite dangerous for an enemy torpedo boat. Also, the radar cross-sectional area (RKA) is much lower than that of a torpedo boat or frigate. How do you evaluate this?
'ULAQ SİDA is unlikely to leave a radar mark'
Özgün Utku Alanç: Due to the current conjuncture, we came to the fore with the aim of the Sea of Islands. This situation was quite effective in the selection of guided missiles.
The Sea of Islands is a region with many rocks. Here, we aimed not only to put a guided missile, but also to receive images from there and transmit them instantly, that is, to make reconnaissance / outpost and to collect intelligence. However, he had to be capable of hitting when he saw it. L-UMTAS is very powerful in this sense. The fact that CİRİT is also more in number is very deterrent for a torpedo boat on the opposite side. It is very, very unlikely that a platform in this profile will leave a mark on the radar. Especially in the Sea of Islands.
ULAQ SİDA's Locality Rate
Savunmasanayist : Turkey, together with ULAQ Armed Unmanned Vessel (Sida) is assuming a pioneering role in the field. Therefore, it can be concluded that the export market will also be contested. Known embargo against Turkey in the field of critical subsystems. What is the locality rate of ULAQ?
Özgün Utku Alanç: In the prototype boat, we used a small number of foreign parts to
prove the concept, and these were commercial products that did not require permission for military use. However, we are also in contact with local producers in order to localize the remaining systems. As of the stage we have reached, there will be no parts left that we will have to buy from abroad in the mass production stage.
Dr. Erdal TORUN: Let me add as follows; In fact, the talents and achievements we use now are based on systems that we do without being dependent on the outside. We use them in unmanned aerial vehicles, missile systems and ammunition systems. Both communication systems, navigation systems and mission computers… All of these are currently actively used in the field and are the main subsystems that will also be used in ULAQ. We build on this the SİDA logic. What is peculiar to us here is that all the communication systems we use are domestic, national, resistant to electronic warfare and have proven themselves.
At Meteksan Defense, there are mission computers that are used and tested for air platforms that can manage and manage many subsystems. In ULAQ, we will use mission computers that we designed and produced by us. Again, our anti-jamming (electronic warfare resistant) products will also be mounted on the platform.
DefenseSanayiST: When will ULAQ Armed Unmanned Marine Vehicle perform the first test firing with CİRİT and / or L-UMTAS Missiles?
Özgün Utku Alanç: During the first quarter of 2021, we will carry out intensive test / experience activities related to remote command and autonomy. A NOTAM should be issued with the permission of the Ministry of National Defense regarding the shooting. We aim to complete the firing tests in the first half of the year, following the approval of the permits and the official confirmation of field availability.
SavunmaSanayiST: Thank you very much for taking the time for us.
