ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol stated that the ASELFLIR-600 EO/IR being developed for larger UCAV platforms would have double the current laser designation range.
In his interview with TRT News, Akyol underlined ASELFLIR-600 as the next step after the ASELFLIR-500, which has been integrated into Bayraktar TB2, Bayraktar TB3, Akıncı, and Anka-III UCAVs.
Intended for larger platforms with significantly greater performance compared to ASELFLIR-500, ASELFLIR-600 will have nearly double the laser designation capability. ASELFLIR-500’s laser designation range is given as 35 km, which would mean the upcoming EO/IR will have a range of around 70 km.
The laser designation range getting this much push will allow laser-guided munitions at longer ranges and expand ISTAR capabilities for friendly units.
A longer range for laser-guided munitions can also indirectly reduce operational costs. IIR seeker versions of the existing UCAV munitions have been developed partly to combat the laser designation range constraints, but they are also more expensive compared to their laser seeker versions.
Akyol added that ASELFLIR-600’s flight tests are scheduled for May 2025. Akıncı and Aksungur UCAVs would be the likeliest test platforms for the testing phase.
So far, ASELSAN’s CATS and ASELFLIR-500 have made significant progress in domestic use and exports. 200 CATS EO/IR systems are in use globally, while ASELFLIR-500, progressing more rapidly than its predecessor, is operational in nine countries.
Considering the high-end position of ASELFLIR-600 in the EO/IR line of ASELSAN, it would be fair to assume that the new optic will draw attention from users of heavier UCAV platforms.
