ŞAHİN counter UAV system

ŞAHİN counter UAV system (Turkish: Hawk) refers to a short range counter unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) weapon system, developed by the Turkish defense company ASELSAN. The system is designed to detect, track and destroy mini and micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system is equipped with a programmable 40 mm air burst ammunition. The ŞAHİN system was developed as a cost effective hard kill solution against small drones, such as commercial quadcopters and reconnaissance UAVs, that have become increasingly common threats on modern battlefields.

Development

ASELSAN, a Turkish defense company developed the system as part of Turkey's expanding efforts to properly deal with the increasing threats of low cost drones. The goal was to develop a cheaper solution to stop these drones without using expensive missiles. The system uses programmable ammunition that explodes in the air, increasing hit probability against small, fast, aerial targets. In the early 2000s, the Turkish military began using the ŞAHİN counter UAV system.[1][2]

Design

The ŞAHİN counter UAV system has several integrated subsystems: Weapon system

  • 40mm automatic grenade launcher.[3]
  • Capable of firing programmable air burst grenades.[3]

Ammunition

  • ATOM 40mm programmable air-burst ammunition.[2]
  • Detonates in proximity to the target drone.[2]

Sensors

  • Daylight TV camera.[4]
  • Thermal imaging camera.[4]
  • Laser rangefinder.
  • Optional radar integration for target detection.

Fire-control system

  • Automatic target tracking.[1][3]
  • Ballistic calculation.[1][3]
  • Programmable fuze timing for ammunition.[1][3]

Operation

The ŞAHİN counter UAV system operates in a manner that during engagement the it detects and tracks drones by using either its onboard electro optical sensors or external radar systems. The fire control computer determines the target's distance and flight path.[4][5][2] As the projectile leaves the barrel, its fuze is electronically programmed to detonate at a calculated point close to the UAV. When exploding the grenade releases a fragmentation cloud designed to damage propellers, electronics, or structural components of the drone.[5][4][1]

Military use

ŞAHİN counter UAV system is designed to protect military bases, forward operating positions, airports, critical infrastructure, and border security installations from drone threats. Developed by ASELSAN, it forms part of Türkiye's layered counter-UAV defense system, working alongside other domestically developed technologies to enhance protection against unmanned aerial threats.[6][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Türkiye's Aselsan Unveils Three UAV-Killers: Korkut, Gurz, and Sahin". 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d office_zzam (2022-07-22). "New Sahin 40mm counter drone weapon system enters into service with Tu". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  3. ^ a b c d e "ASELSAN's Anti-UAV System Şahin Passed the Acceptance Tests | TURDEF". turdef.com. 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  4. ^ a b c d e "FNSS introduces C-UAS capabilities to remote weapon stations". Default. 2025-08-15. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  5. ^ a b Çetiner, Yusuf (2022-08-04). "Turkey's First Anti-Drone System Şahin Developed by ASELSAN Enters Into Service With The TAF". Overt Defense. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  6. ^ ""A new philosophy of defence": ASELSAN sets out ambitions for the future | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
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