EN-US 
TR-TR 
The seventh of the R&D Panels, where it was decided to launch R&D projects in defense industry, was carried out at the Presidency of Defense Industries of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey (SSB). At SSB’s 7th R&D Panel meeting, it was decided to launch four projects and to make a Wide Area Call (SAGA) in two areas.
In addition to SSB, the Ministry of National Defense, Turkish Armed Forces, representations of TUBITAK and academicians in relation to the projects participated as members in the R&D panels. At SSB’s R&D Panels, decisions are taken to launch projects for the development of critical components needed by the existing or planned systems and platforms of TAF (Turkish Armed Forces) or prospective new technologies. At the same time, decisions are taken to make wide area calls aimed at technical representation-oriented projects not involving the delivery of end-product. In the projects, emphasis is placed on SMEs-Industry-University cooperation. Universities, institutes, or SMEs take charge in projects as contractors or subcontractors.
As a result of the R&D Panels, the first of which was held in 2016 and which have convened seven times until now, it was decided to launch 40 projects in total and to issue a Defense Industry Wide Area Call (SAGA) in 19 areas.
In the explanation that he made in this respect, Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, President of Defense Industries of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, said that a total of 3.5 billion Turkish Lira had been spent until today in a total of 104 completed and ongoing R&D projects, and that they had conducted these projects together with universities, companies, research institutions and institutes.
Noting that the R&D expenditures of the defense industry, which were only 49 million dollars in 2002, increased to 1.7 billion dollars in 2019 with an increase of 34 times, Demir said that “This figure corresponds to approximately 15 percent of the total turnover of the sector. This figure is an indicator of the contribution made by our sector to developing authentic products and technologies. We will proceed on our way to the objective of a fully independent defense industry, by making no concessions to our efforts in R&D and technology”.
The R&D Projects and SAGA Calls to be Launched and Made Pursuant to SSB’s 7th R&D Panel Meeting
Multi-Core Microprocessor Development Project: The project is aimed at designing and verifying a multi-core microprocessor, developing its operating system support packages, and making an integrated presentation of all the components developed. The processor to be developed will be used on duty computers of various systems and platforms, particularly in military weapon systems.
Aviation Engine Equipment Development Program Phase-2 Project: The project will develop and confirm three different super-alloys used in manufacturing components of gas turbine engines, which meet the requirements of operation under high temperatures and high pressures. Thus, dependency on foreign parties will be eliminated for the said critical materials needed for gas turbine aviation engines, particularly the turboshaft engine, domestic research into which is ongoing.
Project for Development of Functional Transitive Material (FGM) Processes with Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing Technology (DED): A robotic system consisting of powder spraying and laser feeding units will be developed under the project, for additive manufacturing process by the directed energy deposition method. With this system, a prototype liquid fuel rocket engine nozzle extension consisting of a transitive material structure, which is used in rocket and missile structures, will be produced.
Project for Development of PEM Fuel Cell Technology for Directed Energy Weapon Systems (YESS): The project is aimed at developing a power supply based on the PEM Fuel Cell, which will provide the electrical energy needed by a “Directed Energy Weapon System” placed on a tactical wheeled vehicle to fulfill its function. Thus, a power supply affecting the target hitting performance of “Directed Energy Weapon System”, the noise and vibration loads of which are decreased, the thermal and acoustic trace of which is decreased in a way to make it difficult to identify its place, and which is advantageous to classical power supply in terms of volume and weight.
Defense Industry Wide Area (SAGA) Call for Development of Swarm Communication Technologies: This call is aimed at developing flexible, unplanned, low delay and high band width waveforms, duty planning software and communication systems providing communication security, for such swarm systems in a homogeneous or heterogeneous structure consisting of unmanned aerial, land and sea vehicles. Thanks to the projects to be launched with a SAGA call, new communication capabilities will be brought in the swarm systems consisting of unmanned aerial, land and sea vehicles.
Defense Industry Wide Area (SAGA) Call for Development of Central/Distributed Swarm Management Technologies: This call is aimed at increasing the autonomy level and controlling the swarm as whole, without the need for the operator to control the behavior of every one of the swarm separately. Thanks to the projects to be launched with a SAGA call, the function of executing the common duties at a high autonomy level will be brought in swarm systems consisting of unmanned aerial, land and sea vehicles.
The said two SAGA calls which were decided upon were published on the website of SSB.
Şafak Herdem
