ASELSAN Updates Progress on Electro-Optical Systems

ASELSAN has listed its progress on new electro-optical systems such as TOYGUN, ASELFLIR-600, and KARAT in its 2023 Activity Report. The 2023 Activity Report not only reported the progress on ASELSAN’s systems but also laid the ground for a new product naming system. The preliminary design for ASELFLIR-600, the largest ASELFLIR-500 gimbal EO/IR family member, was completed in 2023. With its long-range imaging capabilities, the electro-optical system will serve large UCAVs like AKINCI and AKSUNGUR onboard. Payloads are 1920x1080 HD TV cameras, SWIR and MWIR cameras with 1280x1024 resolution, and a laser designator with a range of 35 km. The report revealed that TOYGUN EOTS and KARAT IRST systems will consist of two versions with corresponding sizes for their intended platforms. TOYGUN-100 is being developed for unmanned fighters (KIZILELMA, ANKA-3) and TOYGUN-200 for KAAN fighter jets. The preliminary design was completed, and critical design works are ongoing for the advanced electro-optical targeting system, which is a counterpart to F-35’s AN/AAQ-40. TOYGUN will incorporate a 1280x1024 HD IR camera and a laser designator with a range of 35 km. KARAT is being developed similarly in two sizes, KARAT-100 and KARAT-200. The preliminary design was completed. The IR-based KARAT IRST will provide an alternative detection means for KAAN fighter jets and unmanned fighter platforms and support the radar. KARAT’s IR detector has a resolution of 640x512. IRSTs, unlike radars, operate passively and provide a stealthier way of detecting targets beyond visual ranges. The report added that the trials of the ASELFLIR-410N (Formerly DENİZGÖZÜ PİRANA) electro-optical system for naval platforms will be completed in 2024. ASEFLIR-410N will be primarily used on USV platforms like MARLIN. On IIR seekers, ASELSAN has completed the majority of preparations for the mass production of KİLİT-13K seeker for ATGMs. The work on the KİLİT-27T hybrid seeker for air-to-surface missiles has continued.