TR Navy ULAQ ¦ SANCAR ¦ MIR ¦ SALVO | Unmanned Surface Vehicles, News and Updates

Saithan

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ULAQ KAMA is another new addition to this family. Just as its name implies, ULAQ KAMA has a “KAMA (dagger)” shape and two cutting edges: design excellence and robust artificial intelligence. Design excellence provides ULAQ KAMA with features like stealthiness, high speed, agility, reliability, and survivability. The strong artificial intelligence equips it with the ability to cope with the uncertainties of the maritime and naval operational environment, achieve success against the defensive behaviors of targets, implement swarm tactics, and discern between targets.


ULAQ KAMA is not a mine, torpedo, submarine, patrol boat, or guided missile. Instead, it is a system that addresses some operational purposes of these warfare tools while also responding to the disadvantages inherent in their nature, thus complementing their usage.


The drawbacks of sea mines, such as immobility, limited area control, and weak target discrimination, are addressed by ULAQ KAMA’s capability to be employed across the entirety of the operational area and its advanced target discrimination capabilities.

 

Bogeyman 

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Albatross Kamikaze IDA Swarm sank a ship: The first in the world


A test firing was carried out in Mersin for the kamikaze İDA Albatros, which was developed by ASELSAN and ensures that the explosive it contains is detonated by hitting enemy targets at high speed on water.

A swarm of 8 Albatros Kamikaze Unmanned Marine Vehicles (IDA) attacked the target ship at sea as part of the test firing. A vehicle from the Albatros Kamikaze IDA swarm, carrying a Roketsan-produced warhead, hit the target ship and exploded. As a result of the successfully completed test firing, the 22-meter target ship was submerged within minutes.

“First in the world: İDA-UAV Joint Operation”

Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Naval Forces Command also took part in the firing test. Within the scope of the applied scenario, unmanned marine vehicles were directed to the target detected by Bayraktar TB2.

Thus, for the first time in the world, the IDA swarm kamikaze attack concept was demonstrated with the IDA-UAV joint operation.

The test off the coast of Mersin was followed moment by moment by Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol and other officials at the Naval Forces Command Headquarters.

On the other hand, it was learned that the target ship was washed and cleaned of contaminants such as fuel and oil before the test in order to avoid harming the environment.

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Kaan Azman 

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The boat part of it wouldn't cost much but I am sure building all those autonomous capabilities weren't cheap. We will probably see a drop-off in unit prices as the thing gets into mass production.
 

Sanchez

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Boat part is the most visible part but it's possibly the cheapest part of the equation. It could be miniaturized further in the future for a "born kamikaze" platform rather than an Albatros which is made to carry mission gear.
 

Kaan Azman 

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ALBATROS-S has been a demonstrator of ASELSAN's autonomous capabilities for USVs. The final form of ALBATROS Kamikaze will probably be around something like this (Scaled model from IDEF2023)
image (7).jpg
 

Merzifonlu

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From now on, our naval drones will mainly protect our navy against enemy's naval drones. The same rule applies on land and in the aerospace.

Nothing fundamentally changes because of naval drones. Only the size of the boats in the navy became smaller. The principles of managing and maintaining the Navy will remain the same. But from now on, the detailed implementer of those principles will be not humans, but artificial intelligence itself. Humans will make major decisions that impose legal responsibility.

I should also add this: On land wars and in aerospace wars have also begun to resemble naval wars in terms of concept. We no longer have air fleets, instead we have an "aerospace navy". Our way of thinking must change in that direction.
 
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Bogeyman 

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Albatross Kamikaze IDA Swarm sank a ship: The first in the world


A test firing was carried out in Mersin for the kamikaze İDA Albatros, which was developed by ASELSAN and ensures that the explosive it contains is detonated by hitting enemy targets at high speed on water.

A swarm of 8 Albatros Kamikaze Unmanned Marine Vehicles (IDA) attacked the target ship at sea as part of the test firing. A vehicle from the Albatros Kamikaze IDA swarm, carrying a Roketsan-produced warhead, hit the target ship and exploded. As a result of the successfully completed test firing, the 22-meter target ship was submerged within minutes.

“First in the world: İDA-UAV Joint Operation”

Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Naval Forces Command also took part in the firing test. Within the scope of the applied scenario, unmanned marine vehicles were directed to the target detected by Bayraktar TB2.

Thus, for the first time in the world, the IDA swarm kamikaze attack concept was demonstrated with the IDA-UAV joint operation.

The test off the coast of Mersin was followed moment by moment by Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol and other officials at the Naval Forces Command Headquarters.

On the other hand, it was learned that the target ship was washed and cleaned of contaminants such as fuel and oil before the test in order to avoid harming the environment.

F75whvAWkAA_3qM

F75whvFXkAAZ0r5

F75whvGWkAAZl3R


 

Saithan

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I'm like a parrot repeating myself here. Smart buoy network with sensors must be developed and spreadout to create a smart network as early warning-spotter in Mavi Vatan. low maintenance, semi-permanent buoys with simple relay function to be part of the spiderweb.

Imagine if they became part of our network centric defense and potentially relay signal to deepsea mines to be released and such, or relay messages to UAV, USV and such.

If someone uses jamming then you'd find them as well.
 

Anmdt

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What's the advantages compare to them ? Do u see any?
Torpedoes and missiles require a carrier platform (for near shore operations). These systems do to not require a carrier, can be deployed longer (days, a week or even more) at sea unlike others, independent of the launching position. A new kind of "mine" that floats and moves. Harder to detect than missiles, easier to deliver than a torpedo, a hybrid system that comes with more CONOPS than others.
It will pave a new way when these start to submerge in passive mode, or started to deliver torpedoes. The target may not be able to categorize threat correctly, thus not responding accordingly.
 

Yasar_TR

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Costs more than Atmaca or Akya, or combined.
Exactly.
It is :
1. False economy to use these as kamikaze vessels , since they are not cheap to replace. That should be written in to their memory as a last resort option.
2. As kamikaze vessels they are quite prominent and would be seen by any capable modern ship and blown out of water. No ship is going to sit there waiting to be rammed for over 20 minutes. A good modern ship doesn’t even have to waste expensive missiles on them.

The Albatros is approximately 7-meter long and designed for herd missions. It has a speed of over 40 knots, a cruising range of over 200 nautical miles and a significant payload capacity.

The strength of the Albatros lies in the fact of being able to carry torpedoes and anti ship missiles. Therefore bring the naval battle to the enemy , keeping them away from your fleet. Due to their small silhouette and RCS, use the element of surprise with Beyond Visual Range missiles and torpedoes.

Nothing is more effective than a torpedo exploding 1 metre below the hull of a destroyer. Even if EW is applied during an attack, a combatant ship will see these and use CIWS to disable them. So staying away from target vessels is better tactics. With the launch of an Akya travelling at 50+ knots and a range of 45+km it will have done its job well and truly. But not by ramming in to a ship! 8 Albatros Vessels firing from different angles 8 torpedoes from a distance of 35 km or 8 Atmaca from a distance of over 200km will mean, that target vessel is doomed.
 
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UkroTurk

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What's the advantages compare to them ? Do u see any?
Dedection of launch of missiles is easier.Launching warship is always under control from radio/IIR etc.

On the other hand it is very hard to notice several USVs in the sea rather than frigates.

USV with light torpedos/ ATGMs would be accurate sniper. İmagine ATGMs destroy main radar of warship and torpedos destroy propellers.
 
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DBdev

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Exactly.
It is :
1. False economy to use these as kamikaze vessels , since they are not cheap to replace. That should be written in to their memory as a last resort option.
2. As kamikaze vessels they are quite prominent and would be seen by any capable modern ship and blown out of water. No ship is going to sit there waiting to be rammed for over 20 minutes. A good modern ship doesn’t even have to waste expensive missiles on them.

The Albatros is approximately 7-meter long and designed for herd missions. It has a speed of over 40 knots, a cruising range of over 200 nautical miles and a significant payload capacity.

The strength of the Albatros lies in the fact of being able to carry torpedoes and anti ship missiles. Therefore bring the naval battle to the enemy , keeping them away from your fleet. Due to their small silhouette and RCS use the element of surprise with a Beyond Visual Range missiles and torpedoes.

Nothing is more effective than a torpedo exploding 1 metre below the hull of a destroyer. Even if EW is applied during an attack, a combatant ship will see these and use CIWS to disable them. So staying away from target vessels is better tactics. With the launch of an Akya travelling at 50+ knots and a range of 45+km it will have done its job well and truly. But not by ramming in to a ship! 8 Albatros Vessels firing from different angles 8 torpedoes from a distance of 35 km or 8 Atmaca from a distance of over 200km will mean, that target vessel is doomed.
Whole concept in 1 word: IDIOTIC.

Every cent, second wasted on this project is a waste of resources.

Unlike Ukraine we have long range TORPEDOS. They can be fired BVR and saturate any target much more effectively.You can detect a piece of paint orbiting Earth with modern radars. Our navy thinking these would not be detected and destroyed instantly is embarrassing as a NATO member. Other members must have scratched their heads about point of Turkish Navy's silly project.

 

Aloster

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Dedection of launch of missiles is easier.Launching warship is always under control from radio/IIR etc.

On the other hand it is very hard to notice several USVs in the sea rather than frigates.

USV with light torpedos/ ATGMs would be accurate sniper. İmagine ATGMs destroy main radar of warship which , torpedos destroy propellers.
Actually , I support to idea of USVs , but kamikaze USV is not logical for me . Instead of it (Also I understand from dear @Anmdt, dear @Yasar comments) , we need to construct USV (unmanned submarine) has shallowly submerged, has snorcel capability, has two light tordepos, has two OMGS, and also has kement link . So with their mobilazing capabilites (like a smart floating mine) it seems we can control and patrol very big area just one of them. I expect to see this kind of concepts near future. As a last not only us produce USVs. I'm totally agree with dear @Saithan "Smart buoy network with sensors must be developed and spreadout to create a smart network as early warning-spotter in Mavi Vatan. low maintenance, semi-permanent buoys with simple relay function to be part of the spiderweb." With this kind of network we can use our USVs without UAV support incase of need.
 

Kaan Azman 

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Note that ALBATROS-S is mainly a testbed for various autonomous capabilities. It is the pillar for future USV projects of ASELSAN.

For kamikaze part, the one used in test turns out to be ALBATROS-S hull with explosive payload. As exhibited in IDEF'23, finalized product will have a much lower profile and more concealed structure.

Heavy torpedoes can only be launched by submarines at the moment and they have a far more limited range and engagement flexibility.

Kamikaze USVs can loiter and hold still for hours. They can find their target by multiple means (AI+Optical targeting, GPS, relays from other assets like frigates and MPAs...).

Just because they can be hit and are more expensive than torpedoea doesn't make the whole thing idiotic. There simply has to be a guideline on when and how to employ them.

I see 2 main challenges for efficency of kamikaze USVs:

1-Suspectibility to jamming (Strenghening autonomy for navigation and terminal phases holds importance here)
2-Being easier to hit than missiles (Keeping the profile low and applying camouflage against both visual and thermal detection often used against kamikaze USVs can mild things down.)
 

DBdev

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AKYA with fiber optic can hit targets from 50km. All you need is as small and stealthy ship as possible to carry 1.200kg, enough fuel (could be thousands of miles) for your mission area & C-TECH satcom. ZERO personnel needed but could be used for further EW stealth without revealing location with satcom.

Fiber optic cables will make it EW stealthy and interference resistant too. A smaller version can be used by naval helicopters flying very low. Not to mention manned and unmanned diesel electric submarines.

Ukraine has none of these. We DO!
That is why other NATO members are not doing our USV swarm hilarity. It is an inferior product and tactic compared to cheaper super stealthy torpedos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roketsan_Akya
 

Anmdt

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AKYA with fiber optic can hit targets from 50km. All you need is as small and stealthy ship as possible to carry 1.200kg, enough fuel (could be thousands of miles) for your mission area & C-TECH satcom. ZERO personnel needed but could be used for further EW stealth without revealing location with satcom.

Fiber optic cables will make it EW stealthy and interference resistant too. A smaller version can be used by naval helicopters flying very low. Not to mention manned and unmanned diesel electric submarines.

Ukraine has none of these. We DO!
That is why other NATO members are not doing our USV swarm hilarity. It is an inferior product and tactic compared to cheaper super stealthy torpedos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roketsan_Akya
To launch a torpedo you need to put a submarine + her crew + her strategic value of being undetected at risk. To launch a kamikaze USV, same as UAVs, you put none at the risk. There are shortcomings of everything, modern era battles are not being conducted through the ways we expected. There is a need for asymmetrical tools, by not entirely relying on them. USVs will primarily spend a decade or two in ISR, MCMW, EW, COIN, Port Protection, Patrol, Escort duties. Just as happened with UAVs until they have evolved into an assault unit.
 

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