In the ever-evolving realm of unmanned technology, Turkiye has been making significant progress, not only in unmanned aerial vehicles but also in the burgeoning field of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Developed by Kayaci Defence, a defence solutions company based in Mersin, OKHAN USV has been on the water for the last two years.
The OKHAN project, initiated a decade ago by Kayaci Defence, has completed sea trials, showcasing its potential in the USV market. Hakan Kayaci, the CEO of Kayaci Defence, highlights the company’s decade-long commitment and resources that have culminated in the development of the USV.
“OKHAN USV can be delivered within a mere six-month timeframe to the customer after getting the requirements.”
Hakan Kayaci, CEO of Kayaci Defence
OKHAN USV, an 11.4-meter autonomous and operator-controllable vessel, features both electric and diesel engines, employing a hybrid propulsion system to achieve a top speed of 27 knots. The vessel’s cruising range extends to 270 nautical miles at 27 knots and 400 nautical miles at 20 knots.
During its development, Kayaci Defence collaborated with the Turkish Coast Guard, ensuring that OKHAN is compatible with the coast guard missions for various sea conditions. The operational range of the vessel reaches 27 km with line-of-sight communication and exceeds 200 km when utilizing satellite communication (SATCOM).
With a maximum payload capacity of 1000 kilograms, OKHAN is capable of carrying weapon systems, RCS enhancers, RF jammers, and various sensor equipment. The vessel’s sensor suite includes navigational radar with a range of 24 kilometres, EO systems, satellite telemetry, and other navigational safety equipment.
OKHAN is designed to execute diverse coastal missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, combat operations, search and rescue, irregular migration and border control, scientific exploration, and pollution detection at sea. Its compatibility with joint operations involving UAVs and other USVs adds to its operational flexibility.
Kayaci Defence asserts that OKHAN can maintain precision within one meter, operating for extended periods on a given coordinate without being significantly affected by sea factors such as wind, current, or waves.
OKHAN joins a robust lineup of Turkish USV projects, including ULAQ USV from Ares Shipyard and Meteksan, MARLIN USV by Sefine Shipyard and Aselsan, SANCAR USV by Yonca Shipyard and Aselsan, SALVO USV by Dearsan, and ALBATROS-S by Aselsan. As the Turkish USV market continues to witness advancements, OKHAN emerges as a contender poised to contribute significantly to the industry’s growth.
Here is Naval News’ video coverage of OKHAN during DIMDEX 2024.
