Currently, the air defense units of the Turkish ground forces are facing serious problems in the field of weapons and equipment. Military air defense has mainly artillery systems, the overwhelming majority of which are towed. In service are self-propelled complexes of only one type, the American-made M42A1 Duster, while most of this equipment is now in storage. To solve the existing problems, several years ago, it was decided to develop a promising self-propelled anti-aircraft system that fully meets modern requirements. The new project received the symbol Korkut.
The development of a promising ZSU started at the beginning of this decade and was carried out by several Turkish companies. ASELSAN A. Ş. was appointed the lead developer of the new project. As subcontractors, FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A. Ş. and Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu (MKEK), whose task is to manufacture and supply individual elements of the combat vehicle. The new project was named Korkut - a Turkish male name, which means "firm" or "decisive". Also, the authors of the name of the project could have in mind the city of the same name, one of the sons of Sultan Bayazid II, or even the hero of the folk epic Dede Korkuda.
Fighting vehicle Korkut SSA
In order to reduce as much as possible the cost of creating and serial production of promising military equipment, the authors of the Korkut project decided to use a number of characteristic ideas. They affected the appearance of both individual armored vehicles and the entire anti-aircraft complex as a whole. It is expected that the applied solutions will greatly simplify the construction and operation of the latest combat vehicles. At the same time, the combat qualities of the air defense complex will remain at a relatively high level.
It was proposed to include two types of self-propelled vehicles in the ASELSAN / FNSS Korkut anti-aircraft self-propelled complex. Batteries containing KKA control vehicles (Komuta Kontrol Aracı) and self-propelled units with SSA weapons (Silah Sistemi Aracı) will have to protect the ground forces on the march and in positions. According to existing plans, the control vehicle will control four cannon ZSUs, monitoring the air situation in a relatively large area and issuing target designation. However, a different combination of KKA and SSA technology is also possible.
The Korkut KKA and SSA armored vehicles were created taking into account the maximum simplification of joint operation, which is why they were unified in the chassis and a number of other units. As a basis for such a technique, the FNSS ACV-30 tracked chassis, previously created for use in various new projects, was used. The ACV-30 is a versatile platform suitable for use as a base for various types of equipment. Initially, it was proposed to build infantry fighting vehicles or other similar equipment on the basis of such a chassis. In the future, several proposals appeared on the development of specialized samples for various purposes, including self-propelled anti-aircraft systems.
Complex technique together
The ACV-30 multipurpose chassis is an armored vehicle with the ability to mount various equipment. The chassis has a body with a characteristic collapsed frontal part, as well as vertical sides and stern. The layout of the hull was chosen taking into account the construction of various equipment: its front part is given for the installation of the engine and transmission, while other volumes can accommodate the crew, weapons or the necessary equipment. In the case of the vehicles of the Korkut project, the center and the rear of the hull are used to install radar and artillery systems. According to reports, the body of the ACV-30 armored vehicle is made of armor steel and aluminum. The declared ballistic protection level 4 according to the STANAG 4569 standard (shelling from 14, 5-mm weapons) and mine countermeasures level 2 (6 kg of TNT under the chassis).
The chassis is powered by a 600-horsepower diesel engine mated to a fully automatic transmission. The engine torque is output to the front drive wheels. The chassis is based on six road wheels with torsion bar suspension on each side. A characteristic feature of the ACV-30 propulsion device is the increased gap between the third and fourth pairs of rollers. In the stern of the hull, water cannons can be mounted to move through the water. According to the developer's company, a combat vehicle based on such a chassis can show a maximum speed of up to 65 km / h with a cruising range of up to 500 km. Water obstacles are overcome by swimming. The length of the ACV-30 vehicle is 7 m, width –3.9 m, height (on the roof of the hull, excluding additional equipment) - 2.2 m. The combat weight, depending on the type of equipment installed, should not significantly exceed 30 tons.
Within the framework of the Korkut air defense complex, the tasks of monitoring the air situation and issuing target designation are assigned to the control vehicle with the symbol KKA. When building such equipment on a unified chassis, it is proposed to mount a set of radar and optoelectronic equipment, as well as control equipment, communications and operator consoles. Most of this equipment fits inside the armored hull. Outside of it is a rotating tower with observation equipment.
An L-shaped pivoting device must be installed on the roof of the Korkut KKA machine. On its front part, a block of optoelectronic equipment is mounted with its own guidance drives in two planes. The main part of the rotary device serves as a support for the rotating radar antenna. With the help of such equipment, the crew of the control vehicle can monitor the air situation at ranges of up to 70 km, determining the parameters of targets and issuing target designations for the Korkut SSA.
According to the developer, the control vehicle can collect data on the existing air situation and generate reports on their basis in graphical form. Such data can be transmitted to the command or crews of combat vehicles. In a similar way, work with other information about the detected air targets can be carried out. Data transmission, both to the headquarters and to the anti-aircraft self-propelled guns, is carried out via the Ku-band radio channel.
The KKA control vehicle should not directly enter into a collision with the enemy, but in this case it carries some weapon. Depending on the type of threat present, the crew can evade a collision using smoke grenade launchers or defend against infantry or light vehicles using a heavy machine gun. Smoke grenade launchers are mounted in front of the roof, a machine gun is mounted above one of the crew hatches.
The ASELSAN / FNSS Korkut SSA self-propelled anti-aircraft gun project involves the use of a new turret equipped with weapons and means of its guidance. This unit is mounted on the roof of a unified chassis and provides horizontal guidance for shooting in any direction. The armament tower has an armored body of a characteristic multifaceted shape, formed by a large number of even panels. The hull sheets form a wedge-shaped frontal part and sides of a similar design. The turret frontal assembly has a large embrasure in which the cannon shroud is located. The latter is equipped with a means of supporting the trunks, and also has holes for optimal ventilation.
The self-propelled gun is equipped with two 35 mm Oerlikon KDC-02 automatic cannons. This weapon was developed in Switzerland, but products for serial self-propelled guns are planned to be produced under license at the MKEK plant. It should be noted that Turkey has already produced such weapons: it has 120 towed systems with 35-mm Swiss-made cannons in service. Thus, the promising ZSU will use the ammunition already used by the army, and will also be able to do with the spare parts already produced.
The KDC-02 cannons have a gas engine-based automation and are capable of showing a rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute (1100 in total). The guns are compatible with shots of several types with projectiles for various purposes. With an initial speed of 1100-1500 m / s, cannon shells can hit targets at ranges of up to 4 km.
The Korkut SSA ZSU cannons are equipped with automatic ammunition supply systems with the ability to change the type of shot. The ready-to-use ammunition load consists of 200 rounds. There are also stowages for transporting additional 400 rounds of ammunition.
On the roof of the turret of the combat vehicle, there is its own target search and guidance equipment. On a common base, a radar antenna and a block of optoelectronic equipment are installed. With the help of this equipment, the self-propelled gun must independently clarify the target parameters and carry out guidance for firing. The equipment of the ZSU differs from the equipment of the Korkut KKA control machine in lower characteristics of the detection range.
It is assumed that the equipment of two types from the Korkut complex will move together with the protected formations and exercise control over the airspace, both independently and with the assistance of third-party systems. As a plus of the new air defense system, high mobility is indicated, supplemented by the ability to overcome water obstacles by swimming. The combat weight of the vehicles no more than 30-32 tons will also allow them to be transferred using existing military transport aircraft.
Control machine Korkut KKA
The development of the Korkut project continued for several years, after which the companies involved in the work were able to start building experimental equipment. The first prototype of the Korkut SSA combat vehicle was first demonstrated to the general public at the IDEF 2013 salon. Later, both air defense vehicles repeatedly became exhibits at new exhibitions. Also published were photographs and videos from the tests of the experimental equipment.
According to known data, at present, ASELSAN, FNSS and other participants in the Korkut project continue testing and fine-tuning a promising anti-aircraft complex for military air defense. At the same time, such works are already nearing completion. So, at the end of October last year, it became known about the transfer of the first sample of the Korkut complex to the ground forces. Apparently, the equipment was handed over to the customer for military tests. After the completion of this stage of checks, a final decision on the further fate of the project should be expected.
The anti-aircraft complex is still only preparing for adoption, but the Turkish command has already decided on its needs and has formed a schedule for future deliveries of serial equipment. In the very near future, it is planned to begin preparations for the serial construction of two types of equipment. The first serial complexes will have to enter the army in 2018. The end of deliveries under the future contract is scheduled for 2022. During this time, the ground forces will have to receive 40 Korkut SSA and 13 Korkut KKA vehicles. Thus, every year the industry will have to produce an average of 8 self-propelled guns with guns and 2-3 control vehicles.
The construction and delivery of serial anti-aircraft self-propelled guns will partially solve the existing problem with the protection of ground forces from possible attacks. At the same time, 53 units of new equipment may not solve all existing problems. As a result, a new contract for the supply of additional lots of equipment may appear in the future. However, so far there is no information on this score.
Earlier it was reported about the possible further development of the existing project "Korkut". Such an anti-aircraft system attracted the attention of not only the ground forces, but also the navy. Now the ASELSAN company is developing a naval version of the anti-aircraft complex. According to the latest data, within the next few months, the developer company plans to publish the first materials on a promising project. The timing of the completion of the work and the start of production of the "marine" complex has not yet been specified. Obviously, all this is a matter of the distant future.
For certain reasons, the ground forces of Turkey have a very specific fleet of equipment and weapons. In particular, the "weak point" of the Turkish army is the armament of the military air defense. Several years ago, a new project was launched, which is required to change the existing situation and give the troops new self-propelled vehicles with improved characteristics. After several years of work, contractor companies managed to create the required equipment. In the near future, she will complete the tests, after which her future fate will be finally determined. At the same time, the terms and volumes of purchases have already been determined. It is obvious that the appearance of serial ASELSAN / FNSS Korkut anti-aircraft systems will have a positive effect on the state of the Turkish military air defense. At the same time, the known plans for the procurement of such equipment may give rise to some doubts. What will be the future of the new technology and whether it will be able to solve the assigned tasks - time will tell.
