Aselsan's new electro-optical systems achieve important milestones in 2023

Mass production of Aselsan's new electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting system, ASELFLIR-500, has begun and it is expected to be integrated onboard the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle and the TCG Anadolu multi-purpose amphibious assault ship. (Janes/Olivia Savage)

Aselsan's latest electro-optical systems – ASELFLIR-500, DORUK-2, and TULGAR – achieved important production and delivery milestones in 2023.

According to Aselsan's General Manager Ahmet Akyol on 31 December, the first prototype of the TULGAR pilot-helmet – designed for the Turkish Aerospace (TA) Kaan aircraft (formerly known as TF-X) – has been built and the first batch of the DORUK-2 handheld electro-optical sight has been delivered. In a previous announcement Akyol noted that the Turkish army had received the first instalment of the DORUK-2 system.

Aselsan was unable to comment to Janes on deliveries of the DORUK-2 system to the Turkish army because of security reasons.

Mass production of the ASELFLIR-500 camera has also begun following successful integration into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and various firing tests, Akyol said.

ASELFLIR-500 is a 15-inch electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting system developed for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aerial platforms including UAVs. The payload combines four-axis gimbals and two-axis optics, enhancing stabilisation and enabling clear and steady imaging in dynamic, challenging environments. The device also features a laser designator, which can support targeting for most laser-guided munitions, as well as artificial intelligence-based image processing software that enhances the image quality and identification range of the high-definition (HD) thermal and day sensors.