SANCAR AUSV Successfully Completed Firing Tests

September 15, 2025

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On September 9, 2025, the SANCAR Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV), developed jointly by HAVELSAN and Yonca Shipyard, successfully completed live-fire trials in the Marmara Sea.

The tests were carried out in the presence of representatives from the Turkish Naval Forces Command and confirmed the AUSV’s ability to accurately engage targets using its 12.7 mm Stabilized Weapon System. The system was fully integrated with ADVENT ROTA and executed through the ADVENT Combat Management System (CMS), demonstrating the vehicle’s seamless interoperability with existing naval systems.

This milestone establishes SANCAR as the first Armed USV fully integrated with ADVENT, capable of engagement, mine detection, and autonomous mission execution. It also highlights HAVELSAN’s role in combining network-enabled warfare expertise with autonomous systems technologies, resulting in a platform that has been tested and validated under operational conditions.

Operational Versatility for Modern Navies
Maritime security challenges increasingly demand platforms that are fast, agile, and autonomous. SANCAR addresses these needs through a multi-mission design, capable of performing:

• Base and port protection
• Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR)
• Mine countermeasures
• Search and rescue (SAR)

Equipped with advanced sensors—including navigation radar, AIS, electro-optical cameras, sonar, and 360° surveillance—SANCAR delivers real-time situational awareness and supports reliable decision-making in high-risk maritime environments.

Integration with ADVENT ROTA
SANCAR operates with ADVENT ROTA, a mission system adapted from HAVELSAN’s ADVENT Combat Management System and specifically developed for unmanned platforms.

This architecture ensures interoperability with the Turkish Naval Forces’ inventory and allows manned and unmanned assets to operate in coordination.

The trials demonstrated capabilities such as task handover, swarm operations, and coordinated strikes, making SANCAR the first operational example of network-centric warfare conducted with an unmanned naval platform.

Weapon and Payload Options
SANCAR’s open architecture allows for rapid adaptation to different missions. Current and planned payloads include:

• 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon system (validated in live-fire trials)
• Guided missile payloads for deterrence
• Sonar and mine countermeasure systems for subsurface threats

This adaptability enhances SANCAR’s value as a scalable and interoperable solution for allied navies, while also supporting export potential.

Communications and Technical Features
SANCAR ensures uninterrupted operations through a multi-layered communication system, supported by RF LOS, SATCOM, and LTE.

Its GNSS-based navigation system and Ship Data Distribution System (GVDS) provide seamless connectivity across all onboard systems.

Key Specifications

• Length: 12.7 m | Beam: 3.3 m | Displacement: 9 tons
• Propulsion: 2× Diesel Engines, 2× Waterjets
• Max Speed: >40 knots | Endurance: 400 nm @ 10 knots
• Seaworthiness: Operable up to Sea State 4
• Control: Modular, portable Ground Control Station

Strengthening Naval Capabilities
By combining autonomy, modular payloads, and resilient communications, SANCAR AUSV provides navies with a force multiplier for modern operations.

Its NATO-compliant design, cost efficiency, and proven performance contribute to:

• Operational flexibility
• Increased personnel safety
• Long-term value for naval forces

With these capabilities, SANCAR is positioned to support both national defense and allied missions, addressing today’s requirements while preparing for future challenges.

Source : Havelsan