Turkey unveils new ULAQ Armored Unmanned Surface Vessel armed with missile systems.

According to information published on October 28, 2020, the Turkish Company Ares Shipyard in cooperation with the Ankara-based Meteksan Defense Industry Inc. has unveiled a new Armored Unmanned Surface Vessel (AUSV) called ULAQ during a press conference. It can be armed with missile defense systems. 
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Artist rendering of ULAQ Armored Unmanned Surface Vessel. (Picture source Ares Shipyard)

The ULAQ Armored Unmanned Surface Vessel has been built from advanced composites, has 400 km range, 65 km/h speed, day/night vision capabilities, encrypted communication infrastructure, which can be operated from mobile vehicles and headquarters or from sea platforms such as aircraft carriers or frigates, will be used for missions like intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, surface warfare, asymmetric warfare, escort missions, strategic infrastructure protection.

The prototype vessel; whose design was completed in August and the structural build has just been completed, is planned to be launched into Mediterranean waters in December after completion of outfitting. First AUSV’s missile systems are inclusive of 4 cells of Cirit and 2 of L-UMTAS missiles, supplied by our national missile systems provider ROKETSAN, where the firing tests are planned in the first quarter of 2021.

The Cirit is a laser-guided 70 mm missile system under production by Turkish arms industry manufacturer ROKETSAN. It has a maximum effective guided range of 8 km with a high probability of hit on a 3×3 m target at this range.

The L-UMTAS also developed by Roketsan, is a long-range laser-guided anti-tank precision missile system developed primarily for attack helicopter platforms. The laser guidance and tandem armor-piercing warhead features of L-UMTAS ensure its effectivity against both stationary and moving targets. The missile can lock onto the target before launch.

Along with the missile systems, AUSV will be equipped with different variations of communication and intelligence systems like jamming and electronic warfare systems to correspond diverse operational needs. AUSV will be able to carry out joint operations with complementary forces such as UAV’s, AUAV’s and TUAV’s. Furthermore, AUSV is not only a remotely controlled vehicle but also and more importantly an autonomous vehicle that hosts artificial intelligence.

It is stated by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence that; after the first prototype vessel, other USVs for the operations like surveillance and intelligence, mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, firefighting, search and rescue missions, will be ready to manufacture accordingly.