Turkey’s 60,000-ton Largest Warship Might Also Be The First Carrier To Combine Unmanned Systems

Turkiye has been investing in autonomous naval systems to counter newly emerging threats and the changing nature of warfare.

This is most apparent in its announcement about constructing a unique aircraft carrier, which will be the first in the world to launch drone aircraft, unmanned ships, and underwater vehicles.

Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercument Tatlioglu said it would be the first carrier to combine unmanned systems and tackle aerial, surface, and underwater threats.

The aircraft carrier, called MUGEM, which stands for Milli Uçak Gemisi, or National Aircraft Carrier, is being built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard since January last year, with commissioning expected by 2032.

The indigenous ship is purpose-designed and is not a variant of the TCG Anadolu Amphibious Assault Ship of the Turkish Navy.

According to sources, the aircraft carrier will be 285 m long, 72 m wide, and possess a 10.1 m draft. It will displace 60,000 tonnes, which is 2.2 times more than TCG Anadolu.

Capable of accommodating 2500 crew members, including the crew and air wing, maintenance staff, sailors, and officers, the ship will be able to reach speeds of over 26 knots and feature a 10,000-nautical-mile range with a cruising speed of 14 knots.

The aircraft carrier will feature a short takeoff but arrested recovery system, which means it won’t have catapults and the planes would have to produce their own power to launch through a 12-degree ski jump located at the ship’s bow.

For propulsion, MUGEM would feature 4 GE LM2500 gas turbines and an electric-drive system to manage the distribution of power more efficiently when it sails at a slow speed.

Once in service, the carrier will not operate alone, but rather in a group with destroyers, submarines, and frigates. It will be equipped with advanced air defense systems and carry more than 50 aircraft of various kinds to support airborne missions away from home.

The carrier’s air wing will be similar to the design of Hürjet, a naval variant of Türkiye’s manned trainer and light combat aircraft.

The service plans to construct 3 unmanned aircraft as well, including the Kızılelma combat drone, the flying-wing Anka-3, and the Bayraktar TB3.

Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercument Tatlioglu also elaborated on the recent minehunter program and the Tepe-class destroyer. He said that these projects would be built to support multiple operations and would be incorporated with unmanned systems. He concluded by speaking about the rising number of unmanned vehicles serving in the naval forces.