Turkey’s First Autonomous Underwater Vehicle DERİNGÖZ Successfully Completes Its First Diving Tests
Turkey’s defense industry, which is well-known for its work on unmanned aerial vehicles, also has numerous projects to develop unmanned ground and naval vehicles, and is now working to fill the gap in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). Turkish company Aselsan, which develops advanced military solutions for the land, aviation, and maritime sectors, successfully completed the first diving tests of Turkey’s first autonomous underwater vehicle, DERİNGÖZ.
According to Aselsan, Deringöz is an autonomous underwater vehicle that stands out for its high maneuverability, precise navigation ability, customizable mission payloads, optical and sonar imaging technologies, and wireless communication infrastructure. The system, which debuted at the IDEF 2023 International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul in July of last year, can be used effectively in a variety of applications, including underwater research, reconnaissance and surveillance, mine detection, pipeline inspection, and port and base protection.
Deringöz is intended to be a tool that not only fulfils but also develops underwater operations requirements. Because of these characteristics, DERİNGÖZ is anticipated to play a critical role in underwater operations. DERİNGÖZ has a maximum speed of 5.5 knots and a scanning speed of 3 knots. The UUV has a modular system architecture and the ability to operate at a depth of up to 600 meters, it has wireless communication capabilities and offers payload configurations that can be expanded according to requirements.
Although it is not known exactly when the new unmanned system will be put into service, according to the statement made by ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol at TEKNOFEST held in Ankara, it will join the Turkish Naval Forces very soon after quick trial tests.
In addition to Aselsan, another company developing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) for the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces Command is Sonitus Engineering with its RAMPUS product. The RAMPUS Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, which the company began developing based on experiences gained from Turkey’s first unmanned underwater glider NARVAL 1006, was unveiled for the first time in June 2023. The unmanned system, which is expected to be tested in the near future, is expected to be Turkey’s second unmanned underwater vehicle after ASELSAN’s Deringöz.