Several defense companies have been working on the National Submarine (MILDEN – Milli Denizalti) Project in coordination with the Turkish Navy to supply the Turkish Fleet with indigenously developed submarines. Havelsan, which had previously developed the GENESIS command and control (C2) system for the Gabya-class (OHP) frigates and network-centric warfare compatible ADVENT C2 system for the Ada-class corvettes in collaboration with the Turkish Navy, has designed a technological combat information center (CIC) concept for future submarines, specifically the MILDEN-class.
Submarine CIC Concept:
Given the average lifespan of a submarine of 40-50 years from design to decommissioning, it is expected that the design of the submarine will meet personnel, operational, and logistics requirements for the following 50 years. Thus, while deciding on the technology and design to be used, a vision that is forward-thinking but based on reality is required.
Therefore, the concept design was created from a “Realistic-Futuristic” perspective, and “Designing the Future” was chosen as the fundamental method. This is the foundation on which the “Submarine CIC Concept Design” is built.
Personnel-oriented approach:
The Submarine CIC Concept has been designed in accordance with human perception/comprehension ability and expectations, in order to reduce personnel errors and increase performance by foreseeing business processes. It will incorporate a variety of technological features, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, big data, decision support, the internet of things, autonomous systems, robotics systems, augmented and virtual reality, touch, gesture control, and voice activation.
The design creates a separate and isolated structure so that activities in other areas of the submarine did not disrupt the concentration of the crew members at the center.
Circular Layout:
The layout of the systems has been considered carefully in the concept design so that the personnel can more easily perceive what is going on around them, the Submarine Commander’s command over the entire CIC is facilitated, and the personnel’s communication with each other is maximized.
Therefore, the CIC was created in a circular layout, so that the Commander and the personnel may easily make eye contact with this setup.
Three large multi-functional screens will be utilized to compile the relevant data and display it alone or in combination. These large screens have wide viewing angles and can be viewed by a large number of people at the same time.
A horizontal console that is integrated with the Command Console is placed at the center of the CIC, where the Recognized Maritime Picture (RMP) is presented and functions such as planning and briefing can be carried out in the vicinity of the TDR display. A further ergonomic feature of the horizontal console is the ability to show WECDIS layers, which allows both the Commander and the necessary SHM personnel to operate it together.
In addition, the data input tools on consoles, such as the joystick, the roll ball, and the touch/push button buttons, are built in an ergonomic and user-friendly manner to facilitate data entry.
According to Havelsan, this design will boost performance by decreasing personnel errors and strengthening the situational awareness of the CIC team.
About MILDEN Project:
Aiming to build and create a new class of submarine, the MiLDEN represents an ambitious effort by the Turkish defense sector, which is also developing a suite of electrical, telecommunications and sensor technologies as well as propulsion and armament systems that will be incorporated into the vessel.
The MiLDEN development program, which is coordinated by the Turkish Naval Research Center Command, began in March 2012. The project is currently in the conceptual design phase, which is expected to be completed by 2023. Even though there is no clear timeline for the project, MILDEN submarines is aimed to be delivered to the Turkish Navy after 2030s.
In accordance with the information available, the know-how developed during the Reis-class submarine (Type-214 TN) project will be applied during the development and building of MILDEN submarines. Indigenization will be very high on the submarine, which will have air independent propulsion.
