(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By News Centre
Otokar, one of the leading military land vehicle manufacturers
in the Turkish defence industry, will exhibit a number of its
products at Eurosatory, one of Europe's largest and the world's
leading defence industry fairs, which starts tomorrow in Paris. In
this context, the heavy-class unmanned ground vehicle ALPAR will be
introduced abroad for the first time. What is ALPAR, and what are
its features?
ALPAR, Turkiye's first heavy class unmanned land vehicle, has a
maximum loaded weight of 15 tons and operates completely silently
thanks to its serial hybrid electric drive infrastructure. Otokar
has conducted a series of engineering and qualification tests for
ALPAR, which was first introduced last year. These tests focused on
vehicle autonomy and remote control, with ongoing development and
testing in these areas.
As a result of these studies, ALPAR, with its advanced driving
controls and algorithms, has gained capabilities such as patrolling
from point A to point B, following the vehicle in front, and
performing 2D and 3D mapping for autonomy. Further development
activities of these functions are continuing. ALPAR will remain
open to development in terms of autonomy and driving support, with
Otokar continuously increasing the vehicle's autonomy levels based
on technological advancements.
Testing its Strength on Road and Off-Road
In addition to these developments, mobility tests of ALPAR,
which features a serial hybrid power infrastructure, continue in
both road and off-road environments. These tests include evaluating
high-voltage battery efficiency, power consumption, vehicle range,
and optimising electric motor efficiencies.
Development activities are also ongoing for the Remote Control
Unit, which controls the vehicle, to facilitate user control,
enhance effectiveness, and increase situational awareness.
With ALPAR, Otokar aims to offer the most advanced innovative
solutions to the Turkish defence industry by closely following
technological innovations.
The Future Points to Unmanned Systems
Various studies are being conducted on the use of unmanned
vehicles for military purposes in countries with advanced defence
industries and modern armies.
Vehicles like ALPAR around the world are not yet fully
operational, with development activities ongoing at both company
and military levels. However, autonomous systems are expected to
become a significant part of the battlefield in the future.
While the battlefield always presents conditions requiring human
decision-making, making it unlikely for autonomous systems to
completely replace humans, vehicles like ALPAR offer significant
advantages in protecting personnel during dangerous missions. These
systems are expected to be widely used to safeguard soldiers in
high-risk or uncertain missions, such as those involving CBRN
(Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) threats.
It is anticipated that unmanned systems, equipped with
artificial intelligence, will minimise human error and become
prominent in routine tasks such as patrol and surveillance.
Autonomous systems are expected to function as "wing tanks" in tank
teams in the distant future.
Capabilities and Applications of ALPAR
ALPAR was developed considering all these needs and the latest
technological advancements on the battlefield. It can perform
various mission capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, or
combat due to its modular electronic infrastructure designed to
address different mission needs. ALPAR combines capabilities such
as autonomous and remote command, low thermal and acoustic
signatures, vehicle tracking, and mobility agility comparable to
light tanks and similar vehicles in the field.
Thanks to its electric propulsion infrastructure, ALPAR can
operate as a main element or a supporting element alongside manned
vehicles and/or infantry. It can carry unmanned aerial and ground
forces for tasks such as obstacle detection in hazardous areas,
surveillance and reconnaissance in urban environments, and route
discovery in changing terrain conditions.
ALPAR can undertake responsibilities such as suppressing
enemy/terrorist positions with fire, neutralising enemy vehicles
and facilities with main weapons or guided missiles while
minimising personnel risk, serving as a fire support element, and
conducting reconnaissance and surveillance duties. It can perform
autonomous tasks such as transporting mini unmanned land vehicles
and drones, target detection, and logistics support activities.
ALPAR also stands out as a suitable platform for missions such
as loitering ammunition carrier, autonomous supply, anti-UAV, and
electronic warfare.
Recognises Friend/Enemy and Returns Home
Within its autonomous and remote-controlled driving
capabilities, ALPAR offers 360-degree situational awareness, can
operate up to 5 kilometers with MIMO radio, and provides effective,
advanced remote control and connection capabilities through
satellite communication.
ALPAR, which can determine routes using a local map in
environments without a Global Positioning System, offers services
such as navigating a given route, patrolling, following the vehicle
or personnel in front, performing convoy duties, communicating with
other unmanned elements, returning home, 2D and 3D LIDAR mapping,
obstacle detection, new route determination, friend/foe
recognition, and swarm management.
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