Operational Purpose and Role

İHTAR is engineered to counter the rapidly expanding threat posed by commercially derived and military-grade mini/micro UAVs. These platforms often feature:

• Low radar cross-section
• Slow flight speeds
• Low-altitude flight profiles
• GNSS-dependent navigation
• Commercial RF command links

Traditional air defense systems are not optimized for such targets. İHTAR fills this capability gap by providing a specialized layered detection and neutralization architecture.

Primary mission areas include:

• Military base protection
• Forward operating base security
• Border surveillance zones
• Energy facilities and critical infrastructure
• Airports and government complexes
• Large public event security

Operational Doctrine and Concept of Employment

İHTAR follows a layered and network-centric defense doctrine based on the kill chain sequence:

• Early detection (Radar + Acoustic sensors)
• Sensor fusion validation
• Electro-optical identification
• Threat evaluation and prioritization
• Effector assignment (RF jamming / laser / airburst munition)
• Engagement and battle damage assessment

The system is specifically designed to counter coordinated swarm attacks through multi-target tracking and automated weapon allocation algorithms.

System Architecture

İHTAR consists of four integrated layers:

Sensor Layer

ACAR Radar System

Ku-band Pulse-Doppler radar capable of 360° continuous or sectoral scanning. Optimized for detecting low-RCS and low-speed aerial targets.

HSY Electro-Optical System

Includes day TV camera, thermal imager, and laser rangefinder. Provides automatic video tracking and visual identification.

ATAS Acoustic Detection System

Passive detection based on UAV acoustic signatures.

PUHU Direction Finding System

RF-based direction finding to locate control signal sources.

Electronic Warfare Layer

GERGEDAN Jamming System

Programmable RF jamming system capable of disrupting:

• GNSS signals
• Wi-Fi
• ISM bands
• GSM 900/1800
• 3G / 4G communication
• UAV command-and-control data links

Directional jamming minimizes electromagnetic interference outside the threat axis.

Kinetic and Directed Energy Layer

ATOM 40 mm Smart Munition

• Programmable airburst ammunition effective against small aerial targets.
• LSS Laser Weapon System
• Directed-energy solution providing hard-kill capability against mini and micro UAVs.

Command and Control Layer

• Centralized C2 software provides:
• Sensor fusion
• Automated threat evaluation
• Weapon allocation algorithms
• GIS-based alarm zone management
• Built-In Test (BIT) capability
• Low operator workload architecture

Survivability and Advantages Against Modern Threats

• Low false alarm rate
• Multi-target tracking
• Swarm attack mitigation capability
• Software-defined jamming frequency control
• Modular and military-standard compliant architecture
• Fixed and mobile deployment options
• All-weather operational capability

Certain performance parameters such as maximum detection range and simultaneous engagement capacity are not fully disclosed in public sources.

Detailed Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

Configuration-dependent. Available in fixed-site installation and vehicle-mounted variants. Exact weight data is not publicly disclosed.

Radar Performance

• Ku-band operation
• Pulse-Doppler technology
• 360° continuous scanning
• Optimized for low-RCS UAV detection

Maximum detection range varies by target profile and configuration. Detailed range figures are partially restricted in public documentation.

Electro-Optical Capability

• Daylight TV camera
• Thermal imaging system (configuration dependent)
• Automatic target tracking
• Long-range visual identification

RF Jamming Capabilities

• Programmable frequency ranges
• Directional antenna systems
• GNSS suppression
• C2 link disruption

Engagement Process

• Radar detection
• EO confirmation
• Threat classification
• Soft-kill (RF jamming) or hard-kill (laser/munition) engagement
• Post-engagement assessment

Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM)

Designed according to military standards. Detailed ECCM capabilities are not publicly disclosed.

Deployment and Mobility

• Fixed critical infrastructure installation
• Tactical vehicle integration
• Network-centric integration capability

Personnel and Operation

Designed for minimal operator intervention. Crew size varies by configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the İHTAR system designed for?

• It is designed to detect, track, classify, and neutralize mini and micro UAV threats in military and civilian critical infrastructure environments.

What is the detection range?

• Exact maximum detection ranges are not fully disclosed publicly. Performance depends on target size, altitude, and configuration.

Can it counter UAV swarms?

• Yes. The system architecture supports multi-target tracking and automated effector allocation to mitigate coordinated swarm attacks.

Is the system mobile?

• Yes. İHTAR is available in both fixed-site and vehicle-mounted configurations.

Which frequencies can it jam?

• It can disrupt GNSS, Wi-Fi, ISM bands, GSM 900/1800, and 3G/4G communication frequencies, depending on configuration.

Does it include a laser weapon?

• Yes. The LSS Laser Weapon System can be integrated for hard-kill engagements against small UAVs.

What makes İHTAR different from other C-UAS systems?

• Its key differentiation lies in vertically integrated national development under a single prime contractor, enabling optimized sensor-effector fusion and modular architecture.

Sources

• ASELSAN official product presentations
• Publicly released technical brochures
• Defense exhibition materials
• Open-source defense industry publications