Turkish defense firms ROKETSAN and FNSS have announced the integration of the ALKA Directed Energy Weapon System (ALKA DEWS) into the KAPLAN HYBRID vehicle platform, creating a mobile armored anti-drone system. The combined platform, known as ALKA-KAPLAN, will be presented at the upcoming IDEF 2025 defense industry exhibition.
The ALKA DEWS is designed to detect and neutralize a range of aerial threats, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing mini/micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions. The system features a two-layered defense mechanism: an electromagnetic jamming weapon for soft-kill capabilities and a laser weapon for hard-kill engagements. It is capable of addressing threats such as swarm UAVs, loitering munitions, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including those placed in urban environments or along roadways.
The KAPLAN HYBRID Powerpack, which began development in 2021 and was first demonstrated at IDEF 2023, is a hybrid propulsion system designed for tracked vehicles. It has completed mobility and verification testing and is now configured for operational deployment. The system is engineered to support high-energy weapons like ALKA without requiring an additional power unit. A diesel generator, developed by FNSS, supplies high-voltage power for both vehicle propulsion and mission systems, enhancing operational range by over 10% when not in active use.
The ALKA-KAPLAN system is designed to be adaptable across various deployment scenarios – fixed, portable, or mobile – and can be integrated with a range of platforms. It supports multiple laser power levels, sensor configurations (including radar and electro-optical systems), and advanced targeting technologies. The system also includes artificial intelligence-supported detection and tracking algorithms and user-friendly interfaces.
Post Image Credit: FNSS.
