Analysis: Weapons and Turrets of Turkish Industry for Naval Platforms
The Turkish defence industry offers high-technology and cost-efficient solutions in compliance with NATO standards to navies in the world, notably the Turkish Naval Forces, in need of various types of sea platforms. The industry has a vast product portfolio including not only warships, auxiliary ships, boats, submarines but also unmanned sea systems and gun turrets. In addition to main platforms, the Turkish defence industry is also a solution partner for weapons, ASW and subsystems. Hereunder, Navy Recognition editorial team focused on the weapons and turrets for naval platforms.
Weapons and Turrets of Turkish Industry for Naval Platforms (Picture source: Army Recognition)
BORA NAVAL PEDESTAL MOUNTED AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM
Naval Pedestal Mounted Air Defence System BORA is a fully automated missile launching weapon system developed for air defence of naval platforms. BORA weapon system can automatically slew to the target coordinates assigned by battleship operation and command control centre.
BORA NAVAL PEDESTAL MOUNTED AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM (Picture source: SSB)
GÖKDENİZ
GÖKDENİZ CIWS along with 35 mm Airburst Ammunition (ATOM) developed by ASELSAN is a close-in weapon system (CIWS) highly effective against anti-ship missiles. The system with the Automatic Linkless Ammunition Feed Mechanism allows loading both HEI and Airburst Ammunition at the same time and switching between ammunition types as needed.
GÖKDENİZ (Picture source: SSB)
SMASH
SMASH is a remotely operated stabilised weapon station fitted with 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster-II Canon. SMASH configurations incorporate advanced features as remote operation, built-in electro-optic sensor system for autonomous operation, day and night operation, stabilised turret, automatic target tracking (detect, track and fire on the move) and ballistic computation. SMASH System has a stabilised turret which enables the line-of-sight of the gun to be aimed at the target at all times. Due to the stabilisation feature, the system can perform precise firings against stationary or moving targets while the platform is on-the-move. The system can be operated remotely by using the remote gun control unit and hence provides gunner protection against counter fire. In addition, the SMASH System is capable of firing 200 rounds per minute with its dual feed 30 mm automatic cannon. As opposed to fixed sight systems used on 12.7 mm STAMP and 25 mm STOP systems, SMASH incorporates a separately stabilised electro-optical suit which can move in elevation and azimuth axes relative to gun. This ensures effective firing at long distances by enabling line-of-sight stay on the target at all times, even during the firing where ballistic correction is applied to the gun. The separately stabilised electro-optical sight also enables surveillance and target tracking without aiming the gun to the target.
SMASH (Picture source: SSB)
STAMP
STAMP is a remotely operated stabilised weapon station for small calibre guns. STAMP can be fitted with either a 12.7 mm Machine Gun or a 12.7 mm GA-19/A Gatling Gun or a 7.62 mm Machine Gun or a 40 mm Grenade Launcher. STAMP configurations incorporate advanced features, such as remote operation, built-in electro-optic sensor system, day and night operation, automatic target tracking (detect, track and fire on the move) stabilised turret and ballistic computation. The infrared and daylight TV cameras of the system enable detection and recognition of targets that would not be possible with naked eye. The system is capable of ballistic calculation and automatically tracking the targets and enabling a high hit probability by accurate firings. STAMP System has a stabilised turret which enables the line-of-sight of the gun to be aimed at the target at all times. Due to the stabilisation feature, the system can perform precise firings against stationary or moving targets while the platform is on-the-move. System can be operated remotely by using the remote gun control unit and hence provides gunner protection against counter fire. System has additional features of defining firing zones both in azimuth and elevation. STAMP System has a modular structure enabling easy installation on various naval platforms for the purpose of asymmetric warfare and coastal defence.
STAMP (Picture source: SSB)
STAMP-G
Featuring flexible design architecture and easy reconfiguration, STAMP is integrated with three-barrel 12.7 mm GAU-19/A Gatling machine gun to produce STAMP-G. This variant in intended to meet similar requirements with STAMP. While the Gatling machine gun leads to a significant increase in the firepower of the system, STAMP-G works perfectly in tandem with ASELSAN’s advanced electronic and electro-optic devices.
STAMP-G (Picture source: SSB)
STOP
STOP is a new generation, cost-effective, medium calibre weapon system for naval platforms. The system provides lightweight, versatile and effective means of force protection for applications ranging from capital ships to patrol craft. STOP has exceptionally high hit and kill probability with an impressive firepower. STOP consists of a two-axis stabilised turret with a 25 mm cannon containing an electro-optical sensor suite and fire-control software. It is capable of acquiring targets and engaging them autonomously either via the ship’s Combat Management System or by use of own sensors. The optical sensor suite of STOP provides enhanced situational awareness and the ability to identify and engage threats day or night, in all weather conditions. The high accuracy and lethality of STOP is achieved by using sophisticated stabilisation algorithms and powerful servo drive/control system in both traverse and elevation enabling precision engagement on the target and fire execution under the coordination of a state-of-the-art fire control computer. STOP can detect, identify, deter, engage and destroy threats with a versatile sensors-weapon combination situated on a fully stabilised turret that can be operated from a remote-control console.
STOP (Picture source: SSB)