ULAQ

Lore & Background

ULAQ, a derivation of a term for government official envoy, is the first of a series of AUSVs developed for the Turkish Navy. Design studies were completed by August 2020, and the prototype was launched on 12 February 2021 in Antalya. It was planned that firing tests with guided missiles of Roketsan would be carried out by March 2021; on 25 May 2021, the vessel successfully completed its first firing test, with the Roketsan Cirit missile destroying the target with pinpoint accuracy.

The vessel can be deployed from combat ships and controlled remotely from mobile vehicles, headquarters, command centers, and floating platforms. It serves in missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence, surface warfare, asymmetric warfare, armed escort and force protection, and strategic facility security. It is planned that the vessel will operate jointly with other AUSVs, armed UAVs and aircraft, and instantly transmit images and other data to benefit the operational capability of the Turkish Armed Forces.

The ULAQ AUSV will come in six different variants, each with its own type of mission and armament. Made of advanced composite material, the boat is 11 m long with a payload capacity of 2000 kg, a range of 216 nmi, and a cruise speed of 35 knot. It is operable at rough sea (sea state 5) and has indigenous encrypted communications and day/night vision capabilities. It is resistant to electronic warfare and equipped with an Anti-GPS jammer device. The ULAQ family has a modular design allowing different weapon, equipment, and deployment configurations. ULAQ bears similarities to the Fleet-class common USV of Textron Systems, USA, and the Protector USV of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel.

Reader's Guide

ULAQ represents a significant step in Turkey's development of indigenous unmanned naval capabilities, being the prototype of the first Turkish armed unmanned surface vessel. Its successful firing test on 25 May 2021 demonstrated the integration of Roketsan guided missiles into an unmanned platform, marking a milestone for the Turkish defense industry. The vessel's modular design, allowing six different variants with distinct mission and armament configurations, indicates a flexible approach to naval unmanned systems. Its ability to operate jointly with other AUSVs, armed UAVs, and aircraft, and to transmit real-time data, suggests an emphasis on networked operations within the Turkish Armed Forces. The inclusion of indigenous encrypted communications, day/night vision, electronic warfare resistance, and an Anti-GPS jammer device highlights attention to survivability and security. Operators include the Turkish Navy and the Qatari Emiri Navy, indicating international interest. ULAQ's similarities to established USVs from Textron Systems and Rafael place it within a broader global context of unmanned surface vessel development.