The Turkish company HAVELSAN is working to provide the national submarine project MİLDEN with artificial intelligence capabilities by integrating the ADVENT MÜREN AI-supported combat management system. The company’s general manager, Mehmet Akif Nacar, said the work aims to analyze the data passing through the submarine and assess the impact of environmental and intelligence data, as well as supporting systems, on operational decisions.
The statements came during the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan event held at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command, primarily organized by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense and the T3 Vakfı, with Anadolu Agency participating as the event’s global media partner.
From Sensor Analysis to Systems Management
According to Nacar, the proposed integration will not be limited to managing the path extending from sensors to weapons. It will also include using data from auxiliary systems, the environment, and intelligence to assess their impact on operations. HAVELSAN also expects to take on the role of combat-systems integrator for the national weapons and sensors to be developed for MİLDEN, drawing on its field experience and specialization in this area.
Autonomous underwater navigation is among the systems requiring local development for the submarine. HAVELSAN has therefore begun research and development work on a rudder control system. The company is also continuing preparations for a submarine simulator dedicated to training on the new platform, leveraging its experience in developing the diving simulator for Preveze Gür-class submarines currently used at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard.
Integration of Domestic Missiles and Torpedoes
The company said it developed the launch-control system for KAPSÜLLÜ ATMACA cruise missiles launched from underwater, enabling it to fully integrate with the national ADVENT combat management system. It also developed launch-control systems for the torpedoes used on submarines, with the possibility of operating the control system for the national AKYA torpedo within ADVENT MÜREN and with AI-supported functions.
HAVELSAN also produces a submarine information distribution system that links data among various systems and supports remote control of some of their functions. According to Nacar’s statements, the company is now in a position to use this technology within MİLDEN.
What Changes in Practice?
If the announced integration plans are implemented, the submarine will combine sensor data, weapons systems, and auxiliary systems within a single operating architecture, rather than treating them as separate capabilities. This means that the announced role of artificial intelligence consists of analyzing data and supporting operational management, while the details of the level of autonomy and the missions the system will perform remain unspecified in the available statements.
Unmanned Vehicles and Underwater Projects
Nacar announced that the ÇAKA hybrid unmanned vehicle project, capable of diving, has reached its final stage of development, paving the way for its use both on and below the water’s surface. HAVELSAN also presented the in-house research and development project AVISTA, which focuses on using low-cost, readily available sensors and developing algorithms that provide platforms with additional capabilities.
AVISTA aims to develop precise positioning in environments where GNSS is unavailable, produce three-dimensional maps of the seabed, inspect ship hulls, protect critical underwater infrastructure, and provide integrated security capabilities. These capabilities can be integrated into different vehicles and connected to ADVENT, potentially supporting underwater and surface warfare, mine warfare, and seabed operations.