Havelsan's Barkan UGV demonstrates varied munition firing in a step towards swarming
Havelsan test-fired a loitering munition from its Barkan UGV in mid-October. (Photo: Havelsan)
Havelsan has a focus on increasing digital battlespace capability for Turkish soldiers and test firing of a loitering munition from a Barkan UGV has marked a step towards swarming with loitering munitions.
Havelsan has successfully test-fired different types of munition from its Barkan-2 UGV using a hydro-launch from a single turret. The test has followed on from the successful launch in January 2023 of a Roketsan METE laser-guided missile from a Barkan-1 UGV.
The company announced the success of the mid-October launch on 7 November and highlighted ‘that the launch involved a diverse range of ammunition without the need for explosive materials during launch’.
As part of the trial, the Barkan-2 fired a loitering munition and completed a mission covering a 2–15km radius, but the system has been equipped with two launchers connected to a single turret.
One launcher is a laser-guided system, which was demonstrated in the earlier test, and the other deploys loitering ammunition.
The loitering munition has a range of 15km with an electric propulsion system, a flight altitude of 3000m and a flight time of 40 minutes.
An operational concept promoted by the company revolves around swarming. This was highlighted by Havelsan product development and production director Veysel Eroğlu who noted ‘KSOM (Mixed Swarm Operation Center) …recently carried out [trials] in the field [and] continue with the use of different types of payloads’.
Eroğlu said: ‘With the addition of these systems to the KSOM, the concept of using the ammunition as a swarm will also be realised in the field. At Havelsan, we use software capabilities from our digital technology unit, which is our main duty, on more platforms and payloads.
‘All of these unmanned systems, including swarm concepts – especially [technologies] put forward and pioneered by Havelsan – will be used [to lead the way] to reduce the work of our security forces in the field.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![AUSA 2024: GM Defense unveils new vehicle and highlights ISV’s current disaster relief work]()
AUSA 2024: GM Defense unveils new vehicle and highlights ISV’s current disaster relief work
GM Defense’s Next Gen Tactical Vehicle (Next Gen) has been seen before but not in such an advanced prototype. Much like the company’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), the vehicle draws on a commercial platform.
-
![Sustaining firepower: The challenges of supplying frontline artillery ammunition]()
Sustaining firepower: The challenges of supplying frontline artillery ammunition
Uncover the hidden logistical challenges of keeping Ukraine’s artillery firing, as nations ramp up ammunition production and explore advanced resupply solutions to balance capability, survivability and cost.
-
![US Army orders 40 AMPVs under $184 million contract]()
US Army orders 40 AMPVs under $184 million contract
BAE Systems’ Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) was developed in response to a US Army requirement for a platform to replace M113s. The latest order is in addition to a full-rate production contract.
-
![Layered Defence: How new technologies are enhancing armoured vehicle survivability and manoeuvrability (Studio)]()
Layered Defence: How new technologies are enhancing armoured vehicle survivability and manoeuvrability (Studio)
As modern threats evolve, armoured fighting vehicles face a new era of challenges, from loitering munitions to kinetic energy projectiles. Advances in active, passive, and reactive protection systems are crucial to ensuring battlefield dominance, freedom of manouver and vehicle survivability.
-
![The Lego Principle: Falcon Shield, RiwP and the growth of modularity in land defence]()
The Lego Principle: Falcon Shield, RiwP and the growth of modularity in land defence
Shephard spoke to Leonardo about its Falcon Shield system and Moog about its Reconfigurable Integrated weapons Platform (RIwP) at DVD 2024, and discovered the trend in land defence was towards modularity.
