Providing details on the campaign, HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar said: “We are developing our SANCAR AUSV in cooperation with Yonca Shipyard. We successfully conducted its firing tests. The platform hosts five of HAVELSAN’s indigenous solutions. The most important is ADVENT Rota, a command-and-control mission management software that integrates the Turkish Navy’s ADVENT combat management system into autonomous platforms. In addition, our SUBSTAR Ship Data Distribution System (GVDS), NAUTIS, the BLUEVISION autonomous navigation system, and the GNSS-KASK precision satellite positioning solution are all deployed on SANCAR.”
Dr. Nacar noted that the system is both integrated with ADVENT and capable of operating independently. “We have a mature command, control and mission management capability. Moreover, we can integrate these five indigenous products into other platforms to make them autonomous. In other words, it doesn’t have to be this platform—we’re ready today to autonomize any suitable platform,” he explained.
Highlighting the recent firing tests, Dr. Nacar said the 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon system engaged its targets successfully. He added that with the acceptance tests concluded, series production will allow more SANCAR units to be delivered to the security forces.
The AUSV is equipped for both military and civil missions, with Dr. Nacar pointing to its potential in logistics and non-combat operations. Technical specifications include a 12.7-metre length, 3.3-metre beam, displacement of 9 tons, and twin diesel engines with twin waterjets, enabling speeds above 40 knots. Its operational range is 400 nautical miles at 10 knots, with sea state endurance up to level 4.
Onboard systems comprise radar, sonar, electro-optical cameras, Automatic Identification System (AIS), 360-degree surveillance cameras, depth sounder, GPS compass, and GNSS-assisted navigation. Autonomous navigation is compliant with COLREG standards for safe manoeuvring in complex maritime environments.
Payload options include a 12.7 mm Remote-Controlled Weapon Station, tactical missile systems, and mine countermeasure equipment. A mobile ground control station and redundant RF, satellite and LTE communications provide resilient command-and-control functions.
SANCAR is the first and only AUSV fully integrated with HAVELSAN’s ADVENT Combat Management System, with specific capabilities for mine countermeasure operations. It can deploy from new-generation vessels and conduct independent missions, while NATO interoperability standards will guide ongoing software development for broader international use.
As the first of HAVELSAN’s unmanned surface vehicle family, SANCAR will be followed by further products for both military and civil applications, expanding the company’s autonomous maritime solutions.
