Page 40 - Global Power Turkish Defence Industry

TURKISH

DEFENSE

INDUSTRY The Turkish defense sector is
working on a new system that will
WORKING ON enable launching domestically
developed UAVs from vessels; the
ARMED DRONE technology will contribute to the
effectiveness of the Turkish Armed
LAUNCH SYSTEM Forces and provide very important
capabilities.
FOR VESSELS

Yeteknoloji AŞ General Manager Fazıl Hızal told that the
electromagnetic launch systems have rapidly been adapted
for different applications, including weapons, like railguns,
and launch systems, said Hızal, adding that such technologies
should receive more attention due to the country’s needs.
The Turkish defense industry is developing an electromagnetic
launch system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that would Noting that the U.S. and China are working with electromagnetic
allow ships to launch drones without a runway, increasing technology, Hızal said the U.S. is already using this technology.
naval platform deterrence. The Turkish navy operates a series It can launch aircraft and UAVs using an electromagnetic
of local aerial platforms, including ANKA and the Bayraktar launch system.
Tactical Block 2 (TB2). But the aircraft can only take off
using conventional runways. The U.S. and China already use “China is also expected to start using this technology soon.
electromagnetic launch systems aboard some of their aircraft We, as a country, must also join this technology race. We have
carriers. The system is simple to use, cost-effective and boasts technologies that can be part of this race. We can make the
high-power launch capacities. The Turkish defense industry has best UAVs in the world and produce all the components of the
been working on electromagnetic rail guns, which are based on electromagnetic launch system in Turkey,” he said. “So, we can
the same principle, for some time now. develop our own system and launch UAVs from vessels. This
technology will provide our armed forces with very important
The project has enabled the development of electromagnetic capabilities.”
launch systems because of common features, including power
supply, high current/voltage switching and control systems. Bayraktar TB2 armed drones, produced by Baykar and
operational since 2015, have been used to support Turkey’s
Potentially, electromagnetic launch systems can make a huge fight against terror on its southern border and during cross-
contribution to the effectiveness of the Turkish Navy and its border operations in Syria.
ability to operate drones. For instance, the Bayraktar TB2 will
be effective at a range of 100-150 kilometers when launched The domestically developed drone is the first and only armed
from a navy vessel. This will significantly boost the navy’s UAV in the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) inventory.
security and deterrence capabilities in the Aegean and the
Mediterranean Seas. With its advanced electronics, software, aerodynamic, design,
submarine systems and flight automation and performance,
Thus, a new UAV development process will not take years, and the Bayraktar TB2 is one of the most advanced UAV systems
Turkey will acquire a system that can be integrated into existing in its class.
national platforms.
Performing active reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence
Yeteknoloji AŞ, who introduced Turkey’s first electromagnetic flights, the Bayraktar TB2 has the ability to transmit images to
rail guns, also manufactures components for the operation centers without delay and engage targets.
electromagnetic launch system.
It boasts a service ceiling of 8,239 meters (27,030 feet) and a
In response to the need that may emerge with the navy’s use flight endurance of 24 hours. It can carry 150 kilograms (330
of UAVs, the company decided to develop an electromagnetic pounds) of payload and can be operated day and night.
catapult. Yeteknoloji AŞ has launched a conceptual design
project in this regard and aims to launch a 750-kilogram UAV On the other hand, ANKA, an advanced Medium Altitude Long
with an electromagnetic launch system within the next two to Endurance (MALE) class UAV, performs day and night, all-
three years. weather reconnaissance, target detection/identification and
intelligence missions, featuring autonomous flight capabilities,
including automatic takeoff and landing.

40 TURKISH DEFENCE INDUSTRY