HERIKKS (Air Defense Early Warning and Command & Control System) is a network-centric air defense C2 solution developed to coordinate low- and medium-altitude air defense assets. The system collects, processes, correlates, and fuses data from multiple radar sources and tactical sensors to generate a unified and verified Recognized Air Picture (RAP).

Operational Purpose and Role

The primary mission of HERIKKS is to:

• Monitor and control national airspace in real time
• Evaluate and prioritize threats
• Assign the most suitable weapon system to each target
• Coordinate engagements
• Conduct post-engagement assessment

It minimizes reaction time while preventing redundant engagements against the same target.

Doctrine and Concept of Operations

HERIKKS is designed in accordance with network-centric warfare doctrine. It separates sensors and effectors physically but unifies them digitally through a command network. This enables:

• Optimized use of available air defense assets
• Centralized threat prioritization
• Reduced fratricide risk
• Improved engagement efficiency

The system is particularly effective against:

• Low-altitude aircraft
• Helicopters
• Cruise missiles
• UAVs and loitering munitions
• Low radar cross-section threats

System Architecture

HERIKKS features a distributed and modular architecture. Core components include:

• Command and control centers
• Air defense radars
• Surface-to-air missile systems and gun systems
• Tactical communication infrastructure
• Decision-support software

Its open architecture allows integration with various radar types and air defense platforms, increasing operational flexibility.

Sensor Fusion and Recognized Air Picture

One of HERIKKS’ key capabilities is multi-sensor data fusion. Incoming radar tracks are:

• Filtered
• Correlated
• De-duplicated
• Merged into a single operational air picture

This significantly reduces false alarms and improves track reliability.

Threat Evaluation and Weapon Assignment (TEWA)

HERIKKS incorporates Threat Evaluation and Weapon Assignment algorithms. These analyze parameters such as:

• Target speed
• Altitude
• Heading and trajectory
• Distance to defended assets
• Threat priority level

Based on these variables, the system automatically recommends or assigns the optimal weapon system.

Operation modes include:

• Manual
• Semi-automatic
• Fully automatic

Algorithmic details are not publicly disclosed.

Electronic Warfare Resilience

HERIKKS is designed to function in contested electronic warfare environments. Through integration with TASMUS tactical communication infrastructure, the system supports:

• Secure communication
• Frequency-hopping transmission
• Encrypted data exchange
• Jam-resistant networking

Specific ECCM techniques are not publicly available.

Mobility and Deployment

HERIKKS can be deployed in:

• Fixed command centers
• Mobile tactical configurations

Mobile deployment enhances survivability and flexibility, especially in forward operational zones.

Integrated Ecosystem

Public sources confirm compatibility with multiple radar systems and low-to-medium altitude air defense systems within the Turkish Armed Forces inventory. Detailed integration lists are not publicly available.

Detailed Technical Information

Architecture

• Distributed modular system
• Open system architecture
• Scalable command nodes

Tactical Data Links

HERIKKS supports:

• Link-16
• JREAP-C
• Link-11B
• Link-1

This ensures NATO interoperability and joint operations capability.

Air Picture Generation

• Multi-radar fusion
• Automatic track correlation
• Centralized recognized air picture

Maximum track capacity is not publicly disclosed.

Threat Evaluation & Engagement Control

• Multi-criteria decision algorithms
• Engagement optimization logic
• Automated weapon assignment

Detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Communications Infrastructure

• Compatible with TASMUS
• Encrypted tactical communications
• Electronic warfare-resistant network design

Deployment and Setup

• Mobile deployment capability
• Fixed site integration
• Setup time not publicly disclosed

Personnel and Operation

Operator count and detailed crew structure are not publicly available. The system is designed for multi-console operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HERIKKS used for?

• HERIKKS is used to coordinate air defense operations by generating a real-time recognized air picture and assigning weapons to detected threats.

Is HERIKKS a weapon system?

• No. HERIKKS is not a missile or gun system. It is a command and control and decision-support system.

How many targets can it track simultaneously?

• This information is not publicly disclosed. The system is designed for multi-target tracking.

Which systems can it integrate with?

• It integrates with multiple radar and air defense weapon systems and is NATO data link compatible.

Is it resistant to electronic warfare?

• Yes. It operates with encrypted, frequency-hopping communications designed to withstand electronic warfare conditions. Detailed technical parameters are not publicly available.

Is it mobile?

• Yes. It can be deployed in both mobile and fixed configurations.

What are its equivalents?

• Comparable systems exist within NATO countries’ air defense C2 architectures. Direct performance comparisons are not publicly available.

Sources

• ASELSAN official publications and product documentation
• Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) public releases
• Turkish Armed Forces public information
• Open-source NATO tactical data link documentation