Turkey’s ULAQ armed unmanned surface vehicle (AUSV) prototype completed its first live-fire trial last month, its developers have announced.
The prototype successfully fired two laser-guided missiles during testing off the coast of Antalya, Turkey, the publication revealed.
Jointly developed by Qatar-based ARES Shipyard and Turkish defense electronics company Meteksan Defense, development work on the vehicle was funded in 2018, leading to construction beginning in June 2020.
According to Janes, in February, a prototype was launched and has since been put through extensive sea trials.
Unmanned Surface Vehicle
ULAQ has a range of 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) and can travel at a top speed of 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour. Features include night vision, anti-jamming capability, and encrypted communication infrastructure.
The vessel can operate autonomously and be remotely operated from platforms such as vehicles, headquarters, or sea platforms such as aircraft carriers or frigates.
Developers claim that ULAQ can accomplish missions such as “intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, surface warfare, asymmetric warfare, escort missions, and strategic infrastructure protection.”
Offensive Capabilities
ULAQ can carry up to 2,000 kg (4,409 pounds) of payload, including four laser-guided Cirit missiles and two infrared-guided L-UMTAS missiles.
Both the Roketsan-supplied munitions have a maximum range of eight kilometers (five miles). Cirit missiles are built to neutralize “soft-skinned” mobile and stationary targets, while L-UMTAS missiles are designed to defeat armored threats.