Defense firm in Turkey completes 60th delivery of Naval Data Dissemination Systems
In the realm of naval technology, Havelsan's GVDS (also known as FLEETSTAR) and Submarine Information Distribution System (DBDS or SUBSTAR) have taken centre stage, demonstrating significant strides in Turkey's defence industry.
For over 15 years, Havelsan has been at the helm of this domestic development, producing key components like the Single Board Computer (SBC), Interface Cards, Time Card, Power and Backplane semi-finished cards, Time Server, and GNSS domestically, contributing over 80 percent to the total production of the GVDS and DBDS product family.
The operational success of these systems is evident, with Havelsan delivering an average of one GVDS or DBDS system per month over the past year. The latest GVDS delivery, for instance, passed factory acceptance tests with an A grade for use on MILGEM's eighth ship.
The GVDS serves as the heart of modern naval platforms, providing data flow and system integration. It collects, processes, and distributes data from various sources, including INS, Gyro, GNSS, EM-Log, Doppler-Log, Echo Sounder, RADAR, periscopes, meteorological sensors, and more. This data is then disseminated to critical subsystems such as mission computers, Combat Management Systems (CMS), weapon systems, tactical sensors, and other subsystems.
The GVDS's robustness is evident in its ability to operate effectively under harsh sea conditions, ensuring that tactical sensors like radar and weapon systems like guns function optimally. The Submarine Data Distribution System (SDDS) extends this capability beneath the surface, ensuring real-time, reliable, and synchronized data flow between critical submarine subsystems.
The key features of the SDDS include a redundant architecture, multiple interface support, and data control and plausibility checks. The PDDS, on the other hand, collects, processes, and distributes data from sensors and systems on surface platforms to mission computers, CMS, weapon systems, tactical sensors, and other subsystems. Havelsan offers multiple configurations of the PDDS for different vessel types.
This indigenous technology leadership is a significant stride towards reducing reliance on foreign systems and advancing Turkey's sovereign defence technology infrastructure. The systems' proven operational success, with over 60 deliveries in the GVDS product family, demonstrates high standards of quality and readiness for deployment on state-of-the-art Turkish warships.
Moreover, the expanded application of this technology to submarines showcases its broad applicability across naval domains. By integrating 30+ complex systems and delivering indigenous software lines in operational platforms like the TCG ORUÇREİS, Havelsan’s solutions provide precision strike capability and trusted system interoperability for the Turkish Navy's modern fleet.
In essence, Havelsan’s development of GVDS/FLEETSTAR is a cornerstone of Turkey’s modernization of naval warfare capabilities, making its surface and subsurface fleets more networked, autonomous, and combat effective through advanced, domestically produced data distribution technology.
[1] Havelsan (2021). GVDS/FLEETSTAR: A Core National Capability for Modern Naval Platforms. Retrieved from https://www.havelsan.com.tr/gvds-fleetstar-bir-anasayfa-savunma-teknolojisi
[2] Havelsan (2021). Boost to Combat Effectiveness: Havelsan's Solutions in TCG ORUÇREİS. Retrieved from https://www.havelsan.com.tr/tcg-orucreis-havelsanin-savunma-kuvvetlerine-yeni-bir-zorluk
- The modernization of Greece's naval fleet could benefit from incorporating technology like Havelsan's GVDS, as it has demonstrated significant success in Turkey.
- As Turkey's indigenous technology leadership continues to grow, with successes in defense, finance, and technology industries, it might be tempting for NATO to consider potential collaborations.
- Considering the operational success of Havelsan's Submarine Data Distribution System (SDDS), it could be an ideal solution for improving Turkey's subsurface capabilities, thereby bolstering its position within the alliance.
- Istanbul, being a bustling hub of finance and technology, offers ample opportunities for domestic industries like Havelsan to expand their influence beyond naval technology, potentially contributing to other sectors such as aviation or renewable energy.
