In the sixth issue of the magazine "Arms Export" for 2023, an article by Nikolai Kraskovsky was published about the developments of the Turkish company Havelsan within its concept of "digital troops". The bmpd blog presents the full text of the article to the readers.
The BARKAN ground-based robotic complex manufactured by the Turkish company Havelsan (c) AA Photo
The development and implementation by the armed forces of the countries of the world of unified control systems or a single environment into which all combat assets would be integrated, today can no longer be considered without the inclusion of unmanned/unmanned systems for various purposes. Moreover, the possibility of creating separate systems is being worked out, implying the performance of combat, reconnaissance and other tasks exclusively by unmanned / unmanned vehicles, without direct human participation, or with minimizing his participation. Thus, the Turkish company Havelsan is developing its own concept of "Digital troops".
The essence of the concept, as reflected by the developer himself, is to create control of an unmanned "dimension" on the battlefield, in which ground, air and naval vehicles will be linked to each other, will be controlled from a single center and will act in coordination with each other. The system being developed should, in turn, be closely linked to the control systems of combined arms units and focused on interaction with infantry units. As a result, a reduction in human involvement in direct participation in combat should be achieved and thereby a reduction in human losses (as an example, tactical reconnaissance can be assigned mainly to unmanned vehicles) and a reduction in the human error factor. Also, according to the developer, the costs, including economic ones, should be reduced for the supply of so-called digital troops and increasing their efficiency from the point of view that unmanned vehicles will not need sleep, food, water, medical care, etc. It is also stated about the expanded capabilities and versatility of those unmanned /unmanned systems which are currently being developed and tested and which will have to join the ranks of the "digital troops"[1]. The latter, according to Havelsan CEO Mehmet Akif Najjar, will have to use elements of artificial intelligence, which will make it unnecessary to constantly control each individual unmanned vehicle - they must be able to make simple decisions on their own, for example, choose the direction of movement, distribute fuel, and report the detection of important objects. People will be responsible for the overall planning of their actions. Among other things, it is also planned to develop individual equipment for soldiers, such as exoskeletons, communication systems, hearing enhancement devices, and smart glasses[2].
For the first time, the name of the concept was officially announced on December 8, 2020 at the presentation of the new company logo, when, among other things, Mehmet Akif Najjar announced significant progress in the creation of unmanned vehicles[3]. In general, work in this area has been underway since at least 2019. It is noteworthy that initially the advertising rhetoric was aimed at positioning new developments as a tool for low-intensity conflicts and anti-terrorist operations[4], but later this narrative disappeared, which may be due to the increasing risks of traditional conflicts involving regular armies.
In 2021, the program was presented for the first time at the international exhibition IDEF 2021. The BAHA UAV (sometimes referred to as the B-30), the KAHAP quadcopter UAV and the BARKAN ground-based robotic complex (RTK) were also demonstrated[5]. According to Havelsan representatives, the development of the control architecture has been underway since the beginning of the year and, according to the level of technological readiness, was at the TRL 5/6 stage (that is, in the process of creating a demo version), while unmanned vehicles were called ready for mass production[6].
In 2022, Havelsan also presented its concept at the exhibitions DSA 2022 in Malaysia, ADAS 2022 in the Philippines, AAD 2022 in South Africa, IDEAS 2022 in Pakistan, SAHA Expo 2022 in Turkey. At the latter, it was announced that the new KAPGAN ground-based robotic complex was integrated into the "digital troops"[7]. According to the geography of the exhibitions (it was similar in 2023 - Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, etc.), one can judge Havelsan's view of the export potential of the system in question. It can also be noted that the intended functionality of the system has become wider - the possibility of its use to ensure border security, including at sea, where the SANCAR unmanned launch (BEC) should be used [8].
In March 2023, it was announced that it was ready to conduct field tests of unmanned/unmanned vehicles BAHA, BARKAN, KAPGAN and SANCAR, no longer separately from each other, but in a group. In addition, it was optimistically stated that in the first half of the year, after the end of the tests, serial production of the BARKAN complex would begin[9].
In August 2023, one of the episodes of the field tests was shown to journalists. During the event, two BAHA UAVs provided aerial surveillance and directed two ground-based BARKAN RTCs to the identified targets, and five more quadcopter-type UAVs conducted reconnaissance[10]. The management was carried out from a special single center. Group tests were aimed at testing software and algorithms of actions - for example, the mutual location of devices, their transmission of various data to each other and a change in location as a result of such an exchange[11]. The goal for the future is to conduct tests with 20-30 unmanned/unmanned vehicles at the same time[12].
Initially, it was stated that in order to be used as part of the "digital troops", development work and tests are being carried out on four types of UAVs and three types of ground-based RTCs[13]. Today we can talk about integration into the system and readiness to use four or five types of equipment.
The air component
The main element is a tactical UAV of the BAHA aircraft type, designed for low- and medium-altitude use (the developer himself uses the term "sub-cloud", eng. sub-cloud) at altitudes up to 4,500 m, whose tasks are reconnaissance, observation and correction of fire in daytime and night conditions by means of an optoelectronic located under the nose of the fuselage systems (ECO). The wingspan of the device is 3.7 m, the load capacity is 5 kg. Its feature is the possibility of vertical takeoff and landing, for which four main rotors powered by electric motors are installed on the frame structure. For horizontal flight, there is a pusher propeller powered by an internal combustion engine. The flight range is up to 80 km, the duration is up to 6 hours on a gasoline engine and up to 2 hours on electric motors. Disassembly and assembly of the UAV can be carried out by two people in 30 minutes.[14]
Its development was carried out in 2020-2021, the first flight took place in 2020, five months after the start of work[15]. For the first time, the BAHA UAV was presented to the public at the international aviation exercises Anatolian Eagle 2021, and in October 2021, successful field tests were reported, carried out jointly with the border troops, during which vertical takeoff and landing, flight at an altitude of about 2,250 m and observation, as well as image transmission at a distance of up to 10 km from the center management[16].
According to the test results, changes were made to the design of the UAV, and in mid-2022 a redesigned sample was built and began testing[17]. It is believed that after modernization, it became all-weather and capable of operating at low temperatures, the noise immunity of on-board electronic equipment was increased, and a more advanced ECO was installed[18]. However, measures to increase the stability of BAHA in the conditions of EW use are continuing. In addition, by the middle of 2023, the function of autonomous return of the device to the base was worked out with complete loss of communication and no GPS signal[19].
In August 2023, the first export success was also reported - the conclusion of a contract for the supply of this UAV to an unnamed African country[20], which may be Nigeria. Negotiations are also underway on exports to Central Asian countries, and the agreement of a contract with one of these countries is at the final stage[21]. It can also be noted that BAHA were used to help search and rescue teams in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey in February 2023, while in difficult mountainous conditions, the vertical take-off and landing function turned out to be in demand[22].
As for the second UAV, the light KAHAP quadcopter, there is very little information. Initially, it was developed for conducting radioactive, chemical and biological reconnaissance and calculating contamination zones using appropriate equipment[23]. While maintaining this capability, it can also conduct optical reconnaissance. The device fits and is carried in a backpack, has four electric motors powered by four main rotors, and is capable of lifting a payload of up to 1.5 kg[24]. The flight duration reaches 70-80 minutes. According to some reports, it can also be used as a barrage munition[25], but, apparently, this function has not yet been tested.
Havelsan also declares its readiness to integrate aircraft (as well as ground-based) devices from other manufacturers into the "digital troops". Thus, relevant work is underway on the SONGAR attack UAV developed by the Turkish company Asisguard and adopted by the Turkish Armed Forces. This quadcopter, weighing 45 kg (in curb condition), can operate at a range of up to 10 km and use a 5.56mm machine gun or various small bombs and missiles.
The ground component
Today, the basis of the ground component of the concept of "digital troops" is the tracked BARKAN RTK, first presented to the public on February 27, 2021 during the visit of the Turkish top military leadership to the Havelsan enterprise[26]. Since the summer, its field tests began, in particular, firing from a 7.62 mm machine gun was carried out[27]. At the same time, comparative tests were conducted with RTCs of a similar class developed by other Turkish companies[28]. By October, three complexes took part in them, which were already practicing joint patrols. In the same month, BARKAN was demonstrated to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan[29]. In November, another demonstration took place, during which the device independently monitored people and equipment, and finally boarded the larger RTK GÖLGE SÜVARI (based on the M113 armored personnel carrier)[30]. In 2022, there was practically no new information - probably, testing, fine-tuning and elimination of the identified shortcomings were carried out. According to Havelsan CEO, BARKAN received an additional function of a vehicle for transporting goods and people, as well as devices for conducting radioactive, chemical and biological reconnaissance[31]. In January 2023, the launch of a small 40 mm METE rocket with a laser GPS developed by Roketsan was demonstrated from the BARKAN RTK, and a multi-charge PU for these missiles is also being developed[32]. In August 2023, it was announced that the BARKAN was adopted by the Turkish Armed Forces[33], Azerbaijan is also showing interest in it[34].
This device has the following characteristics: dimensions 140 x 90 x 110 cm, weight about 500 kg, electric motor, speed up to 12 km/h. The duration of operation is up to 8 hours, the range of action for charging the battery is up to 40 km. With the help of a special remote control, it can be controlled at a range of 4-5 km. According to the developers, the control is carried out via 3G, LTE and satellite communications, as well as via cable and even from a phone. The SARP remote-controlled combat module with a 7.62mm machine gun is in service. Thermal imaging and conventional cameras are installed, and an all-round view is provided. To improve surveillance and communication capabilities, a retractable three-meter mast is installed in the aft part. BARKAN is supposed to be used for reconnaissance, protection of facilities, transportation of goods and people, including the wounded[35].
Continuing work on the BARKAN RTK and using the experience gained, Havelsan announced the development of its new version - BARKAN 2, characterized by increased dimensions (180 x 125 x 100 cm) and weight (900 kg), modified chassis, improved observation complex and enhanced armament[36], in particular, the use of 12.7 in the future is claimed-mm machine gun and 40 mm grenade launcher with the ability to fire METE missiles[37]. However, nothing is known about the BARKAN 2 tests yet, and the current sample has not been publicly presented.
Another RTK integrated into the digital Troops program is the heavier wheeled KAPGAN, which has a mass of 1400 kg and dimensions of 320 x 175 x 100 cm. The electric motor provides a working time of up to 6 hours and a speed of up to 25 km/ h. The range at which this RTK can be controlled reaches 5 km. There is a thermal imager, a television camera and a retractable four-meter mast, and it is claimed that it can be used as a repeater to transmit a signal to other machines[38]. KAPGAN will be armed with a 30 mm cannon, but at the moment information about the tests was announced only in the version with a 12.7mm Canik M2 QCB machine gun on the tower of Unirobotics[39]. There has not yet been an open demonstration of the tests of this RCT, so it is possible to judge its capabilities only on the basis of press releases and short comments from the developers.
Other elements of the system
A number of official publications and messages from Havelsan talk about the integration into the "digital troops" of the unmanned SANCAR boat, designed and built jointly with the Yonca-Onuk shipyard. This is a boat with a length of 12.7 m and a width of 3.3 m, which is capable of speeds up to 40 knots and is armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and UMTAS missiles. Its tests have been carried out since mid-2022. The first two such BECs were planned to be delivered to the Turkish Navy in November 2023.[40] However, no practical work in this area, joint testing with other unmanned/unmanned vehicles has been reported.
Also, initially, Havelsan stood out separately in the official information (and did not occupy the last place) such a component of the "digital troops" as infantry equipment. In particular, it meant exoskeletons, allowing soldiers to carry heavier loads and move faster. In addition, sensors were to be built into the exoskeleton to determine the direction from which the enemy is firing, as well as information exchange systems between soldiers and commanders and an augmented reality system reflecting various information by visualization on a lens located on the eye. Thermo- and acoustic sensors, smart watches (with information about health, location, etc.) and a number of other systems were also mentioned. All this had to be coupled with unmanned vehicles, have a direct exchange of information with them, with the command center and directly between the infantrymen, be displayed on a common map and transmit live video images to the command center, so that the latter could coordinate joint operations of infantry and robotic systems[41]. However, data on the progress and test results of all these equipment components have not been published, which allows us to assume that there is no serious progress in this direction.
Short summary
Havelsan provides information about the "digital troops" in a dosed manner and in rather streamlined formulations, the specific parameters achieved during the tests and the capabilities of various elements of this concept are not disclosed.
From the available information, it can be concluded that the unmanned/unmanned systems themselves - the BAHA UAV and the BARKAN RTK, which are the basis of the concept being developed, have been sufficiently developed and as separate complexes are ready for military tests and testing of their application techniques.
At the same time, the main advantages of the "digital troops" declared by the developer - the ability of coordinated group actions of air, ground vehicles and infantry, as well as elements of artificial intelligence, the possibility of autonomous operation of unmanned/unmanned complexes and even their independent decision-making - remain a matter of the future. Today, these complexes are controlled directly from the command post, or they can operate along specified routes. Only the functions of returning the BARKAN RTK and BAHA UAV to the base in case of loss of control and GPS signal, as well as, possibly, obstacle avoidance, are worked out. Apparently, work is also underway to increase the range of control of the devices using retransmission. The possibility of controlling several units of unmanned/unmanned vehicles by one operator is also of interest, but it is directly related to the ability of RTK and UAVs to work independently.
It is obvious that the introduction of even the simplest elements of artificial intelligence into unmanned/unmanned military equipment is an extremely difficult task today. Therefore, Havelsan's statements about the goals set in this direction should be considered a foundation for the future. The company's engineers will continue to work on the development of an information management system and the possibilities of autonomous operation of unmanned/unmanned vehicles. The integration of new equipment into the "digital troops" will also continue, including from third-party manufacturers, the first of which should soon be the SONGAR UAV. If successful, Havelsan will claim to be a kind of system integrator for the introduction of unmanned/unmanned vehicles into the digital environment of the Turkish Armed Forces.