The synthetic aperture and moving target indicator radar (SAR/MTI) developed by Turkish defense company, MILSAR can scan large areas of the sea surface to take detailed images and enable real-time detection of drifting mines.
“Drifting mines” that appeared in the Black Sea following the Ukraine-Russia conflict pose an important security risk.
MILSAR SAR/MTI Radar developed by Meteksan Defense as a project of the Defence Industry Agency was integrated into the ANKA unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Turkish Naval Forces Command and started mine detection in April. President of Defence Industry Agency, Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir, announced the development of the usage of MILSAR, stating that Turkish UAVs have gained a new capability.
MILSAR Radar, which enables UAVs, which act as “observation points” in the sky with their long tenure, to be active even in severe weather conditions where electro-optical systems are ineffective or when flying over the cloud, has added mine detection to its capabilities. Turkey has become one of the few countries that can detect mines on the sea surface using radar technology from UAVs, thanks to the ANKA UAV integration of MILSAR.
Synthetic aperture and moving target indicator radars are essential sensors for reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft and satellites because they can continue to provide high-resolution images in weather conditions where electro-optical sensors are ineffective, such as fog/cloud top.
Day and night tracking in all weather conditions
Thanks to its under 30 kg weight, high-resolution image capability from long ranges, easy integration into platforms, and user-friendly features, MILSAR adds power to UAV platforms.
MILSAR, which can detect and track moving targets on the ground in the target detection function, allows for images with a resolution of up to 30 centimeters regardless of distance, even when there is no vision.
It is stated that MILSAR SAR/MTI Radar started to operate in coordination with the Turkish Naval Forces Command after the mine threats emerged. Mines can be detected in real time in SAR mode using MILSAR images, which take detailed images by scanning large areas of the sea surface.
MILSAR, which provides quality wide-area surveillance with its range-independent resolution, has developed an important set of capabilities for detecting stray mines that pose a high security threat in all weather conditions, day and night, instantly within the limits of the “Turkish blue seas.”
Meteksan Defence Industry Inc
METEKSAN Defence Industry Inc., established in 2006, develops and produces indigenous, high-tech products and systems for the military and industrial applications. The Company operates in six fields being the Radar Systems, Perimeter Surveillance Systems, Laser and Electro-Optic Systems, Communication Systems, Underwater Acoustic Systems and Platform Simulators. The systems and subsystems METEKSAN produces are used for command control, communications, reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence purposes; they take part on many platforms, especially for surface and underwater platforms, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and missile systems.
Some of the main state of the art products developed by METEKSAN are fire control radars for attack helicopters, SAR/MTI radars for UAVs, perimeter surveillance radars, altimeters and data links of tactical and strategic missile systems, data links for unmanned systems, GNSS receiver and anti-jamming systems, communication EW systems, hull mounted sonar systems, underwater early warning and communication systems and platform training simulators.