Under the direction of the Naval Forces Command, the Unmanned Maritime Systems Exercise TURNAs-2026 was conducted between October 19-27, 2026 in the Antalya Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean, demonstrating Turkey's unmanned platform capabilities in maritime operations. During the exercise, the LÜFER Wire-Guided Underwater Reconnaissance and Attack Vehicle, developed by DATUM Submarine Technologies Application and Engineering Inc. through indigenous engineering, was operationally deployed for the first time. The exercise included 41 unmanned systems developed by 17 companies, along with 18 vessels and 11 aircraft.

DATUM is a specialized organization within the Turkish defense industry ecosystem focused on underwater technology development. The company was established to strengthen indigenous engineering capacity in submarine and underwater vehicle development, producing solutions tailored to modern maritime warfare requirements. DATUM's portfolio spans from mini-submarines to various underwater platforms. These projects have been designed and tested to meet the operational requirements of the Turkish Naval Forces.

LÜFER is a compact underwater reconnaissance and attack system equipped with fiber-optic communication infrastructure. The vehicle is designed to operate under operator control while remaining resistant to electromagnetic interference. Measuring approximately 18 centimeters in diameter and less than 120 centimeters in length, LÜFER weighs 13 kilograms excluding explosive payload and can be carried by a single operator. The system offers range options of 5, 10, and 15 kilometers to address different operational requirements. During the exercise scenario, reconnaissance operations conducted by the SAO team using the deployed vehicle were monitored from the command and control center, with imagery and mission data transmitted in real-time.

Turkish defense industry is experiencing rapid development in unmanned maritime systems. Compact underwater vehicles like LÜFER address a critical capability gap for coastal and harbor reconnaissance as well as covert mission concepts. In modern maritime warfare, the interoperability of unmanned platforms with manned systems has become increasingly important. The TURNAs-2026 exercise was significant for establishing tactical and technical employment procedures for such systems and validating their operational effectiveness. These high-localization-rate platforms strengthen Turkey's maritime defense capabilities.

In the international maritime defense sector, compact underwater reconnaissance vehicles are being developed to NATO standards. Israel's Proteus system, Italy's Seaotter platform, and similar international solutions are designed for coastal operations. LÜFER, with its fiber-optic guidance technology and portable design, represents a Turkish equivalent to such systems. The platform possesses export potential. Successful performance in the exercise could position DATUM competitively in international markets. Additionally, the demonstrated integration of manned-unmanned systems represents a critical capability for enhancing maritime operational effectiveness.