Turkey Makes New Advances in Land and Naval Warfare with Introduction of Aksungur ASW Drone

Blackeyes90

Contributor
Moderator
Messages
781
Reactions
3 2,773
Nation of residence
Turkey
Nation of origin
Turkey
Turkey Makes New Advances in Land and Naval Warfare with Introduction of Aksungur ASW Drone

Turkish drone warfare capabilities have made a significant impression in operations against Russian-supported Syrian forces in Idlib, Syria in February and March, 2020, and more recently through the ongoing Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Karabakh. Recently, Turkey has unveiled a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that could play a critical role in anti-submarine warfare, potentially bolstering Ankara’s influence in a volatile region.

Meet Turkey’s Aksungur

The Aksungur unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), from TUSAS—the makers of the ANKA drone—will carry a 750-kilogram combat payload in the maritime patrol and strike package configuration, and 150-kilogram in signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) equipment (TUSAŞ, October 9). The drone will have satellite communications (SATCOM) features, which will make it more resilient in jammed environments, as well as advanced sensors such as synthetic aperture radar/ground-moving target indicator (SAR/GMTI), which enables it to strike mobile surface targets—like convoys and road-mobile launchers—in large spaces and under any weather condition (TUSAŞ, October 9).
TUSAŞ’ Aksungur has showcased promising signs in recent tests. In September 2020, the UAV flew continuously for more than a day—28 hours to be precise—with a payload of 12 Roketsan-manufactured MAM-L smart munitions loaded (Anadolu Ajansı, September 17). Prior to the armed test-flight, the platform even scored an impressive 49-hour non-stop flying capability (Anadolu Ajansı, September 2).
The 750-kilogram combat payload will enable Aksungur to carry a broad-array of missiles. These include TEBER-82 bombs, which are modernized MK-82-class bombs with joint direct attack munitions standards by GPS/INS additions, and Roketsan’s UMTAS anti-tank missiles with tandem warhead against reactive explosive armor (Roketsan, October 9).
Nevertheless, the real ‘beauty’ of Turkey’s new UAV is something different. Of the Aksungur UAV’s payload configuration, sonobuoy pod and magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom features are critical (TUSAŞ, October 9). Equipped with these systems, Aksungur would make an important anti-submarine warfare asset. The Turkish press already nicknamed the drone as ‘the submarine hunter’ (TRT Haber, September 4). With the anti-submarine warfare characteristics, it is likely that the Turkish Navy will be the Aksungur’s first customer.

Dronization of the Turkish Navy

The Turkish Navy is also a part of the Turkish military’s ‘dronization’ trend. As of August 2020, the navy operates at least four ANKA-variant UAVs with synthetic aperture radar (SAR)/inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) sensors and electro-optical/infra-red cameras. The Turkish Navy primarily uses its TUSAS-made ANKA drones for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. In this respect, the latest Otomatik Tanımlama Sistemi (Automatic Identification System, or AIS) upgrade enables the UAVs to identify surface vessels within hundreds of miles and share the findings with command and control hubs. Aksungur can be networked with the ANKA baseline through data-links and can use the same control stations (Anadolu Agency, August 24; TUSAŞ, October 9). The Turkish Navy also operates Baykar’s combat-proven Bayraktar TB-2 drones, which were delivered last year (Milliyet, April 16, 2019).
The navy’s drone warfare identity brings about new horizons to Turkey’s unmanned military systems capabilities and concepts of operations. Back in April 2018, for example, the Turkish Navy’s ANKA flights, close to the island of Rhodes, alarmed Greece and led to the scramble of F-16s by Athens (Milliyet, April 6, 2018). With Aksungur, Turkey’s under-sea warfare capabilities will have an additional robotic angle. From a military planning standpoint, delegating some anti-submarine warfare tasks to unmanned systems will bring defense economics benefits due to lower operational costs. Unmanned systems will be able to relieve surface combatants and maritime patrol aircraft of added burdens, especially in high-risk areas (Defense News, April 13).

Aksungur Deployment Options

The new Aksungur line will be a force-multiplier to the Turkish naval deterrent in Ankara’s chosen frontier. Turkey, a critical NATO nation, can employ its ASW drones to track Russian submarine activity in the Black Sea or the Mediterranean. Alternatively, they can take part in the recent Turkish-Greek confrontation in the Aegean and track Greece’s 11-piece submarine fleet (The Greek Navy, October 12).
A geopolitical game-changer, and a political-military signal that would deeply undermine Turkey’s already troubled relations with the European Union, would be forward-deploying a few Aksungur UAVs to the Gecitkale military airport in Cyprus. Turkey already deployed unarmed variants of Baykar’s famous Bayraktar TB-2 drones to Gecitkale, back in late 2019 (Baykar, December 16, 2019).
Another critical deployment alternative would be Libya. Open-source intelligence assessments suggest heated submarine activity in the Mediterranean, with approximately 20 to 30 pieces operating in the area at the time of writing (Defense News, June 22). Furthermore, Aksungur’s potential deployment in Libya would not only change the naval calculus, but also the land warfare parameters of that conflict. Compared to Turkey’s current combat drones, Aksungur will have a much larger payload that would allow for greater robust fire-power at a time and a higher operational tempo.
In any case, the Turkish Navy’s dronization trend will gain a new edge with Aksungur, and wherever it is deployed, the new UAV will pose some trouble to a potential adversary’s under-sea platforms.
Finally, one should note that Aksungur can make a lucrative export asset. For a long time, Turkey has eyed the Asian weapons market (Nikkei, October 7). Notably, drone warfare, submarine activity, and unmanned capabilities in sea warfare settings remain of high interest in that part of the world.
All in all, Turkey’s drone proliferation has entered a new stage involving more advanced systems with higher payloads. The progress strategically translates into concepts of operations. While Baykar’s Akinci is set to make a deep-strike asset, by carrying indigenous SOM air-launched cruise missiles with an approximately 250-kilometer range, Aksungur is readying to ‘dronize’ Turkey’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities (Baykar, October 9). Turkey’s la belle époque in unmanned systems is yet to come.
 

Yasar_TR

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
3,011
Reactions
105 14,567
Nation of residence
United Kingdom
Nation of origin
Turkey
Aksungur, made with all the knowledge and experience gathered from Anka UAV, is the culmination of all relevant technologies to date by Tusas.
But the main question still stays regarding it’s performance with respect to real battlefield conditions and how it would fare against the enemy radars and AD systems that will try to shoot it.
As it will fly at 30000+ ft altitude and will carry stand off ammunition it will not be an easy target. But still needs to be electronically protected against ground fire , especially if it is planned to be used with multiple MAM-L bombs. Due to it’s high altitude service capability it will have to incorporate Flir systems such as Milsar UAVSAR/Gmti .
 

Anmdt

Experienced member
Naval Specialist
Professional
Messages
5,113
Solutions
2
Reactions
95 22,769
Nation of residence
Turkey
Nation of origin
Turkey
Aksungur, made with all the knowledge and experience gathered from Anka UAV, is the culmination of all relevant technologies to date by Tusas.
But the main question still stays regarding it’s performance with respect to real battlefield conditions and how it would fare against the enemy radars and AD systems that will try to shoot it.
As it will fly at 30000+ ft altitude and will carry stand off ammunition it will not be an easy target. But still needs to be electronically protected against ground fire , especially if it is planned to be used with multiple MAM-L bombs. Due to it’s high altitude service capability it will have to incorporate Flir systems such as Milsar UAVSAR/Gmti .
It is not a deep strike, but surveillance ,recon &patrol unit which can be dedicated for ASW since most of the submarines won't be able to detect it.
It has high payload and ASW Aksungur will carry some or the most of the sensors needed for Marine Patrol role. It loiters slow and can circle in an area for quite long duration,deploying sonobuoys or Light weight torpedo to engage submarines.
It will take burden of MPA, and maybe a single MPA will be able to control -relay info from several Aksungur without risking and revealing itself in hostile or international waters.

Also note: It is not a rapid response unit, i think these roles can be filled with AKINCI thanks to its higher speed and altitude.

Bayraktar TB2 for coastal surveillance & port protection
Akıncı for strike and aerial patrol (ASuW - AAW)
Anka for marine patrol & recon (ASuW)
Aksungur for marine patrol & recon (ASW)
 
Last edited:

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,092
Reactions
21 18,639
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey
It is not a deep strike, but surveillance ,recon &patrol unit which can be dedicated for ASW since most of the submarines won't be able to detect it.
It has high payload and ASW Aksungur will carry some or the most of the sensors needed for Marine Patrol role. It loiters slow and can circle in an area for quite long duration,deploying sonobuoys or Light weight torpedo to engage submarines.
It will take burden of MPA, and maybe a single MPA will be able to control -relay info from several Aksungur without risking and revealing itself in hostile or international waters.

Also note: It is not a rapid response unit, i think these roles can be filled with AKINCI thanks to its higher speed and altitude.

Bayraktar TB2 for coastal surveillance & port protection
Akıncı for strike and aerial patrol (ASuW - AAW)
Anka for marine patrol & recon (ASuW)
Aksungur for marine patrol & recon (ASW)
LWT :D :D :D

Nevertheless, the real ‘beauty’ of Turkey’s new UAV is something different. Of the Aksungur UAV’s payload configuration, sonobuoy pod and magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom features are critical (TUSAŞ, October 9).
Sonobuoys :D :D :D
 
A

adenl

Guest
What will be the next stage for national maritime patrol aircraft after Meltem project?

Get the Embraer R-99 or E-jet family and stuff it with Aselsan's sensors and weapons. Don't go western, otherwise it waits the same fate as the HAVASOJ.

Good deal imo, Brazil buys T-129 and Turkey buys Embraer jets in return. Win-win
 
T

Turko

Guest
Winged torpedo is good example for Akıncı ASW as Torpedos have to be dropped from an aircraft at low altitude, usually no higher than 100 feet.
1606835377866.png


The HAAWC ALA enables the Raytheon MK 54 lightweight torpedo carried aboard the Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon long-range maritime patrol jet to glide through the air from altitudes as high as 30,000 feet, essentially transforming the torpedo into a glide weapon that the P-8A aircraft can release from high altitudes.
[]
 
A

adenl

Guest
What issue do we have with HAVASOJ? I ve never heard any. Maybe you mistake it for Meltem project?
AFAIK, the Canadians aren't willing to cooperate with Turkey/Aselsan to integrate the sensors and systems on the Bombardier Global 6000's. They are currently gathering dust in hangars AFAIK.

The Meltem project is also a good example of how much delayed a program can be for what ever reason. And the E-7T. And the 214TN.... You get the gist.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Yasar_TR

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
3,011
Reactions
105 14,567
Nation of residence
United Kingdom
Nation of origin
Turkey
It is not a deep strike, but surveillance ,recon &patrol unit which can be dedicated for ASW since most of the submarines won't be able to detect it.
It has high payload and ASW Aksungur will carry some or the most of the sensors needed for Marine Patrol role. It loiters slow and can circle in an area for quite long duration,deploying sonobuoys or Light weight torpedo to engage submarines.
It will take burden of MPA, and maybe a single MPA will be able to control -relay info from several Aksungur without risking and revealing itself in hostile or international waters.

Also note: It is not a rapid response unit, i think these roles can be filled with AKINCI thanks to its higher speed and altitude.

Bayraktar TB2 for coastal surveillance & port protection
Akıncı for strike and aerial patrol (ASuW - AAW)
Anka for marine patrol & recon (ASuW)
Aksungur for marine patrol & recon (ASW)
I would classify Aksungur as a non deep strike platform as well. But why do you think they were testing it with 12 Mam-L and getting ready for 24 Mam-L? Why try Teber missile launch which is not a stand off ammo?
May be they know more than we do!!
 

Anmdt

Experienced member
Naval Specialist
Professional
Messages
5,113
Solutions
2
Reactions
95 22,769
Nation of residence
Turkey
Nation of origin
Turkey
I would classify Aksungur as a non deep strike platform as well. But why do you think they were testing it with 12 Mam-L and getting ready for 24 Mam-L? Why try Teber missile launch which is not a stand off ammo?
May be they know more than we do!!
Well it is non-deep until AA systems are taken out, after that they will go deep enough to raid convoys and hunt small groups- take out bunkers and ammo depots and man-pads cells.
I don't know how it will be used on the land or how they intend to use it. I only make guesses for the sea.
 
Top Bottom