Maritime drone Sancar: Havelsan and Yonca shipyard complete live-fire trials in the Sea of Marmara

Sancar, an armed unmanned surface vessel (AUSV), has successfully completed live-fire trials in the Sea of Marmara. The maritime drone was developed jointly by Turkish defence manufacturer Havelsan and the Yonca shipyard.

Representatives of the Turkish Navy command attended the tests. They confirmed that Sancar can engage targets precisely with its stabilised 12.7-millimetre weapon system. The weapon system is fully integrated into Advent Rota and is controlled via the Advent combat management system (CMS).

The Sancar AUSV's mission range is broad: from base and port protection through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to mine countermeasures and search and rescue. A sensor suite with navigation radar, AIS, electro-optical cameras, sonar and 360-degree all-round surveillance provides real-time situational pictures and reliable decision support in high-risk areas.

Advent Rota at the core of the maritime drone

The centrepiece of Sancar is Advent Rota. The mission system is derived from Havelsan's Advent combat management system and was adapted specifically for unmanned platforms. According to a recent press release, this architecture ensures “interoperability with the Turkish Navy's inventory and enables coordinated operations between crewed and uncrewed platforms”.

Sancar is equipped with a remotely controlled 12.7-millimetre weapon system, which was validated in the live-fire trials. The boat can also carry guided missiles; onboard sonar and mine countermeasure systems counter underwater threats.