March 31, 2024

Aselsan achieves milestone in indigenous AESA radar development

By Defence Industry Europe

Ankara-based defence giant Aselsan has achieved a significant milestone in advancing Turkey's aerial warfare capabilities by successfully testing its indigenously developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar on a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet of the Turkish Air Force.

The test flight, which took place on February 15, was publicly announced on March 26, marking a crucial development phase for the cutting-edge sensor system.

The AESA radar is set to be a key upgrade for the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 fleet, complementing an indigenous mission computer and boasting advanced features such as automatic recognition and the ability to track multiple targets simultaneously.

This technological enhancement propels the F-16 into the realm of 4.5-generation aircraft, significantly boosting its operational capabilities.

In addition to the F-16, the AESA radar will undergo testing on the Baykar Bayraktar AKINCI Uncrewed Air Vehicle (UAV) “very soon,” according to Aselsan.

The company also plans to extend the radar’s integration to other jet aircraft and national UAVs throughout 2024, underscoring its versatile application across various aerial platforms.

Aselsan’s AESA radar is not limited to the F-16 and AKINCI UAV; it is designed to be compatible with a range of other platforms.

These include the Turkish Aerospace HÜRJET trainer, the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, and the ANKA-3 UAV, illustrating Aselsan’s commitment to bolstering the capabilities of Turkey’s defence arsenal across multiple domains.