Turkish defence firm STM has unveiled Tengiz, a new extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) with the capability to fire torpedoes.
The 11-metre autonomous uncrewed submarine, developed entirely in-house by STM, can operate at depths of up to 400 metres, can sail at over 8 knots, and has a claimed endurance of more than 20 days.
In a press statement it described its new underwater drone as “a game-changing force multiplier in maritime defence.”
As well as being able to fire light and heavyweight torpedoes, the new platform has been designed to carry smaller uncrewed underwater vessels (UUVs) if required, or deploy the firm’s Alpagut smart loitering munitions.
STM’s General Manager Özgür Güleryüz commented: “Our journey in autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles began with the high-precision STM NETA 300… we are now expanding this family with new medium and large-class members.
“Tengiz stands out as the largest and most capable platform in this lineup. It is engineered to execute nearly all critical missions typically performed by conventional submarines — ranging from intelligence and mine warfare to torpedo engagement — all while operating autonomously and eliminating risks to human personnel.”
STM says the XLUUV has been designed for a range of mission profiles ranging from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) target-tracking and barrier-patrol to electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT), as well as seabed mapping.
The XLUUV, which fits inside a standard ISO shipping container, can also integrate seamlessly into the network-enabled Advent combat management system (CMS) developed jointly by Havelsan and the Turkish Naval Forces Research Centre Command.
- You can read more details on the STM website