Baykar has shared a rendering of TCG ANADOLU (L-400) with its UAV systems, including KALKAN VTOL UAV, hinting at a proposal for use on the LHD. The rendering was shared in honour of the Turkish Cabotage Day. KALKAN UAVs are presented on deck alongside Bayraktar TB3 UCAV and KIZILELMA unmanned fighter. The UAV carries Baykar’s own EO/IR system, BG-160, incorporating day and thermal optics and a laser designator. Thanks to this and the VTOL capability, KALKAN UAV can bring TCG ANADOLU benefits in situational awareness.
For example, the seven hours of endurance and minimal operating cost make the platform an alternative to helicopters and Bayraktar TB3 UCAV for close-in ISR. Additionally, the operational altitude above 14000 ft can render the KALKAN an off-board sensor against asymmetric threats like kamikaze USVs, which are difficult to detect with onboard sensors because of their low RCS and profile.
It should be noted that these advantages wouldn’t only apply to TCG ANADOLU but also to other ships in the Turkish Navy as the UAV is small enough not to cause interference with hangars of corvettes and frigates.
