Operational Purpose and Role

ALKAR 81 mm is designed to deliver rapid, accurate, and mobile indirect fire support at platoon, company, and battalion levels. The system’s primary role is to engage enemy infantry, light vehicles, and area targets beyond direct line of sight. Thanks to its automation and digital fire control, ALKAR significantly reduces sensor-to-shooter time compared to conventional mortar systems.

Doctrine and Concept of Use

ALKAR is optimized for shoot-and-scoot operations, especially when mounted on tactical wheeled or tracked vehicles. This enables mortar units to fire missions and rapidly relocate before enemy counter-battery fire can be executed. The system is equally suitable for fixed or semi-fixed defensive positions, forward operating bases, and temporary fire support nodes.

Platform Architecture

The system consists of:

• 81 mm smoothbore mortar tube
• Advanced recoil mitigation assembly
• Automatic traverse and elevation drives
• Integrated Fire Control System (FCS)
• Inertial navigation and positioning subsystem
• Digital user interface and mission computer

Its open and modular architecture allows integration with higher-level command and control networks.

Survivability and Protection Concept

By minimizing recoil loads and reducing firing preparation time, ALKAR enhances platform survivability. The extremely short displacement time allows rapid repositioning, reducing vulnerability to counter-battery detection and engagement.

Accuracy, Reaction Time, and Engagement Process

Automatic barrel laying combined with inertial positioning enables high first-round hit probability. Ballistic solutions are computed digitally and updated in real time using meteorological data. Reaction time from mission receipt to first round is typically under one minute.

Integrated Systems and Ecosystem

ALKAR can be integrated with:

• Forward Observer systems
• Target acquisition radars
• Digital battlefield management systems
• ASELSAN TOMES meteorological systems

This integration supports coordinated, network-enabled fire missions.

Variants, Blocks, and Modernization

Publicly available sources indicate a primary 81 mm configuration. Platform-specific integration variants exist, but block improvements or future versions have not been officially disclosed.

Operational Use and Inventory

ALKAR has been presented for operational use by Turkish land forces and for export markets. Exact deployment numbers and operational units are not publicly disclosed.

Detailed Technical Information

Weapon and Barrel

• Caliber: 81 mm
• Barrel type: Smoothbore mortar
• Barrel length: 1,600 mm

Performance

• Minimum range: ~100 m
• Maximum range: ~6,400 m (ammunition dependent)
• Time to fire: < 1 minute
• Displacement time: < 10 seconds

Traverse and Elevation

Traverse: ± 3,200 mils

Elevation: 800 – 1,500 mils

Automatic and manual firing modes

Sensors and Positioning

• Inertial navigation and orientation system
• GNSS-assisted positioning (details not publicly disclosed)

Fire Control and Ballistics

• NATO Armaments Ballistic Kernel (NABK) integration
• Real-time meteorological data input
• Digital map-based mission planning

Ammunition Compatibility

• Standard NATO-compatible 81 mm mortar ammunition
• Integration of guided mortar munitions: not publicly disclosed

Command, Control, and Data Links

• Compatible with forward observer and higher-level C2 systems
• Data link specifications: not publicly disclosed

Mobility and Deployment

• Vehicle-mounted (wheeled and tracked platforms)
• Fixed or semi-fixed emplacement capability

Crew and Operation

• Reduced crew requirement
• Graphical, mission-oriented human-machine interface

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the ALKAR 81 mm system?

• ALKAR is designed to provide fast and precise indirect fire support for maneuver units. Its automated structure significantly reduces engagement time and operator workload compared to traditional mortars.

What is the effective range of ALKAR?

• The system can engage targets from approximately 100 meters up to 6.4 kilometers, depending on ammunition type and environmental conditions.

What types of targets can it engage?

• ALKAR is effective against infantry formations, light vehicles, defensive positions, and area targets. As an indirect fire system, it can engage targets beyond line of sight.

How does it differ from conventional 81 mm mortars?

• ALKAR features automated laying, digital fire control, inertial positioning, and vehicle integration, providing superior accuracy, reaction speed, and survivability.

Is the system mobile or fixed?

• ALKAR supports both vehicle-mounted mobile use and fixed emplacement, offering high operational flexibility.

How many targets can it engage simultaneously?

• As a single-barrel mortar system, ALKAR engages targets sequentially. However, its digital fire control allows rapid re-targeting and consecutive fire missions.

What are its main competitors?

• Comparable systems include automated 81/82 mm vehicle-mounted mortars. ALKAR’s key advantage lies in its deep integration with ASELSAN’s mature C2, sensor, and fire control ecosystem.

Sources

• ASELSAN official product pages and brochures
• ASELSAN defense exhibition (IDEF) presentations
• Publicly available defense industry publications