FNSS and Roketsan unveil optionally-manned Alper-Kaplan laser and EW vehicle

FNSS and Roketsan's optionally-manned Alka-Kaplan directed energy weapon system (DEWS) platform displayed at Saha Expo 2026 in Istanbul.  (Janes/Tristan Sauer)

FNSS and Roketsan showcased an updated variant of their Alka-Kaplan hybrid directed energy weapon system (DEWS) platform at the Saha Expo 2026 exhibition held in Istanbul from 5-9 May. 

First unveiled at Turkey's International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025, the system has been upgraded into an optionally-manned platform with autonomous capabilities for both the vehicle and weapons systems, according to FNSS.

The optionally manned variant shown at Saha Expo 2026 works using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and electro-optical sensors mounted on the front, rear and sides of the hull intended to provide situational awareness during remote or autonomous operation.

FNSS also said the optionally-manned variant displayed had AI-enabled threat detection, identification and tracking for its weapons turret. The Alka DEWS uses soft-kill electromagnetic jamming or a hard kill laser for scalable effects against targets including swarmed fixed/rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, or explosive ordnance (XO). The 5 kW laser system has a range between 1.5 and 2.5 km depending on beam intensity, with its 60 kW generator allowing for three minutes of continuous firing before requiring a one minute cooling off period.

The Alka-Kaplan can operate on batteries in a silent surveillance mode for 48 hours, and in ordinary operation can output 220-380 V and up to 200 kW for external equipment. It's 800 V, 56 kWh lithium ion battery powerpack can generate 22-35 hp/tonne in continuous or peak modes, according to the company.

In silent mode the vehicle can travel 20 km, at a constant speed of 10 km/s.

Joint integration work between Roketsan and FNSS is ongoing, the companies added.