History
Turkey
NameULAQ
NamesakeTurkish: ulak for government official envoy
StatusPrototype
Class overview
BuildersAres Shipyard, Meteksan Defense Systems
OperatorsTurkish Navy
General characteristics
TypeRigid boat
Length11 m (36 ft)
Speed35 kn (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Range216 nmi (400 km; 249 mi)
Capacity2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
Armament

ULAQ is the prototype of the first Turkish armed unmanned surface vessel (AUSV).

Background

ULAQ, a derivation of Turkish: ulak for government official envoy,[1] is the first of a series of AUSVs of Turkey, which was developed for the Turkish Navy by Ares Shipyard and Meteksan Defense Systems. The design studies completed by August 2020,[1] and the prototype was launched on 12 February 2021 in Antalya. It was planned that firing tests with guided missiles of Roketsan would be carried out by March 2021.[2][3] On 25 May 2021, the vessel successfully completed its first firing test. The Roketsan Cirit missile fired from the vessel destroyed the target with pinpoint accuracy.[4]

Characteristics

The vessel can be deployed from combat ships.[5] She can be controlled remotely from mobile vehicles, headquarters, command centers and floating platforms. It serves in missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence, surface warfare, asymmetric warfare, armed escort and force protection, and strategic facility security. It is planned that the vessel will operate jointly with other AUSVs, armed UAVs and aircraft,[3] and instantly transmit images and other data she obtains to provide major benefits to the operational capability of the Turkish Armed Forces.[6]

The ULAQ AUSV will come in 6 different variants each with its own type of mission and armament[7]

Made of advanced composite material,[8] the boat is 11 m (36 ft) long and has a payload capacity of 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). She has a range of 216 nmi (400 km; 249 mi) and a cruise speed of 35 kn (65 km/h; 40 mph). She is operable at rough sea (sea state 5: 2.5–4 m (8.2–13.1 ft) wave height).[5] She has indigenous encrypted communications and day/night vision capabilities. She is resistant to electronic warfare and is equipped with an Anti-GPS jammer device.[2][3]

Armament:[9][10]

ULAQ Surface Combat: 4x L-UMTAS missiles or 2x L-UMTAS & 2x CIRIT missile.

ULAQ anti-ship: 4x ATMACA anti-ship missiles

ULAQ ISR & EW (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance / Electronical Warfare): Unarmed

ULAQ ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare): 2x ORKA Lightweight torpedo + 12 sonobuoy

ULAQ FiFi (Firefighting vehicle):

ULAQ MCMV (Mine Counter-Measures Vessel):

ULAQ bears similarities to the Fleet-class common USV of Textron Systems, USA and the Protector USV of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Türkiye'nin İlk Silahlı İnsansız Deniz Aracı "ULAQ" Mavi Vatanın Yeni Muhafızı Olacak" (in Turkish). Meteksan Savunma. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 Özdemir Tosun, Hatice; Süleyman Elçin (15 December 2020). "Turkey unveils armed unmanned surface vessel prototype". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Türkiye'nin ilk silahlı deniz aracı ULAQ suya indirildi". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "Armed Unmanned Marine Vehicle ULAQ Accurately Hit". RayHaber | RaillyNews. 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  5. 1 2 "Mavi Vatan'ın İnsansız Muhafızı ULAQ" (in Turkish). Mavi Vatan. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  6. ↑ Aksan, Sertaç (29 October 2020). "Yerli SİDA Mavi Vatan'da yeni bir dönem başlatacak". TRT Haber (in Turkish). Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  7. ↑ Kaplan, Süleyman (2021-04-25). "Silahlı İnsansız Deniz Aracı ULAQ atışlı testlere hazırlanıyor". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  8. ↑ "Dünyada bir örneği daha yok!". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 15 December 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  9. ↑ "ULAQ Silahlı İnsansız Deniz Aracı (SİDA)". Millisavunma.com (in Turkish). 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  10. ↑ Kaplan, Süleyman (2021-04-25). "Silahlı İnsansız Deniz Aracı ULAQ atışlı testlere hazırlanıyor". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  11. ↑ "Turkish Shipbuilder Develops New Armed, Unmanned Surface Vessel". The Maritime Executive. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
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