ASELSAN has sold 16 E/O ASELPODs to Pakistan for $25 million

[damm1t]

203 - 30 years.

Well, a couple of hundred years seem enough good time if the earth still exist by then

 

[UKBengali]

Well, a couple of hundred years seem enough good time if the earth still exist by then

Post corrected now.

 

[Tempest II]

I think @Bilal Khan 777 had got it here even before there was any news release: https://defence.pk/threads/how-is-the-f-16-when-compared-to-jf-17s.63478/page-7#post-8372240

 

[Bilal Khan 777]

I think @Bilal Khan 777 had got it here even before there was any news release: https://defence.pk/threads/how-is-the-f-16-when-compared-to-jf-17s.63478/page-7#post-8372240
View attachment 310343

Yes, with the Turkish leaking the news, it is likely that these two come together

 

[damm1t]

If a professional airforce like PAF has chosen ASELPOD among rivals that's really something. When it comes to defence issues you can't count on friendship or good bonds between countries since these systems are national security matters. Let's wait and see. If it is PAF, surely they have tested the PODS to death before choosing.

 

[khanasifm]

Rumours are rumours

 

[Bilal Khan 777]

If a professional airforce like PAF has chosen ASELPOD among rivals that's really something. When it comes to defence issues you can't count on friendship or good bonds between countries since these systems are national security matters. Let's wait and see. If it is PAF, surely they have tested the PODS to death before choosing.

There is no rival. ASELPOD is a license built Lightning III, even if Turkey wants to make it look like their own. Chinese pods are not ready to PAF standards, and Thales is not offering. This makes the Turks the only available technology options. It is likely that the ASELPOD is the chosen ATP for JF17.

The Pod would need to be qualified and integrated for JF17, and that will be a 2 year process prior to the system coming in use.

 

[Tipu7]

I was perhaps first guy on PDF who wished for Aselpod after the news of lack of satisfaction from WMD7 came out to public ......

While most people were saying Damocles Damocles, I was saying
"Hey, we got an other reliable option ...... from Turkey"

 

[Beethoven]

@Tipu7 count me in that group too...when people here were talking about Thales Damocles i had a strong feeling that ASELPOD would be the right option for our Thunders....and i had voiced my opinion a couple of times in this regard too....am glad PAF has made the right choice

 

[ACE OF THE AIR]

I was perhaps first guy on PDF who wished for Aselpod after the news of lack of satisfaction from WMD7 came out to public ......

While most people were saying Damocles Damocles, I was saying
"Hey, we got an other reliable option ...... from Turkey"

If you remember there is an other thing that is also going to come for the JF-17's...

 

[Bilal Khan 777]

Rumours are rumours

not just rumours anymore, are they ?

 

[damm1t]

@cabatli_53 , @Combat-Master , @orko_8
Is @Bilal Khan 777 right on his claim?

NOTE; Quote from directly Robust, some other forum which will answer your quesion. How, why, when it has developed by Aselsan. @Bilal Khan 777

" I think there could be several reasons that can explain Turkey's desire to design and develop certain items locally. My answer will be a little long if you don't mind. One of the reasons is to reduce dependence on foreign weapon systems as much as possible. It is about politics between countries. Even though Turkey is a member of NATO and close ally of US, time to time there has been conflict of interest between Turkey and US in general. This conflict of interest resulted in delayed weapon deliveries or some case even rejections to Turkey by US or some other NATO members in the past. Especially in certain technologies such mission computers, certain sensors, software, or missile technologies are considered critical technologies and (understandably )protected by export laws. For example, even purchasing a flir system with laser designator capability (for use in locally produced UAVs) requires special permissions from US Goverment (for ITAR or MTCR conditions). As you may know laser designators can be used for guiding laser guided weapons and it is considered a critical technology by the MTCR agreement. You cannot use this flir/laser designator system to fire bombs/missiles from locally produced tactical or MALE class UAVs. As a side note, China is flooding weaponized CH-3/4 UAVs to the market and Iraq, Nigeria, Suadi Arabia have already purchased these armed UAVS from China with no hassle/condition.

There is also economical reasons to produce such systems. Turkey has a young educated population, research and development cost of certain weapon systems( we are not talking about designing a spacecraft) are cheaper than the US or some other EU contries. Depending on complexity and technological level of a system, these local investment are considered affordable, especially, if there is a local know-how to produce similar systems. Turkish company Aselsan has been investing heavily on local production of E/O sensors( nigth vision systems, optics, lenses etc), laser range finders/degisnators and thermal cameras, helmet mounted display systems etc. Aselsan now produces IR array detectors locally, the most critical technology in thermal camera business. Aselsan first produced AF200 with license from Rayheon, then developed its own AF-300 series E/O gimbal for local UAV ANKA and attack helo T-129. So, Aselsan has gained know-how and technology from these previous projects before starting AselPOD development. If I remember correctly, the contract amount to develop AselPOD systems was about 55 million $(design, development of 4 prototype pods). It is not 100% Turkish made locally but a few the subsystems of AselPOD are purchased form US or EU companies as COST items. I remember the bidding process of buying 20+ LITENING-III pods for Turkish F-4E/2020 aircraft. Rafale from Israel was asking about additional 15-20 million dolars for integration money in addition to the cost of selling 20 pods. Also, over the life cycle of these sensors ( and weapons), need upgrades every 10 years due to development of new technologies and being obsolate over the time . So, designing and producing locally could be expensive initially but over the life cycle, it could be cheaper. Again Turkey's low engineering and production cost, and using COST items as much as possible in the development process make this strategy cost effective and works. "

Specifications;

ASELPOD is a high performance electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed specifically for fighter aircrafts. ASELPOD is designed as the new generation targeting pod for fighter aircrafts.

ASELPOD is a multi-sensor targeting pod consisting of:

• High Resolution, 3rd generation FLIR
• Laser Range Finder / Target Designator
• Laser Spot Tracker
• Laser Pointer
• Advanced Video Tracking (Simultaneously on IR/Day Video)
• IR/Day Video & Mission History Recording
• Advanced Image Processing
• Providing Highly Accurate Geo-Location Coordinates
• Growth Potential for Mission Requirements

With a modular mechanical design, ASELPOD comprises high density capabilities.
ASELPOD designed to fit fighter jets such as F-16's and F-4's and can be adapted to various air platforms.

Applications

• Targeting
• Reconnaissance and Surveillance

General Features

• Superior Range Performance
• Superior Maintainability
• Internal Boresight Unit
• Dual-Wavelength Laser Range Finder
• Eye-Safe Training Mode for LRF in Addition to Combat Mode
• Safe and Easier training
• Matched FOVs for IR and TV Cameras
• Better situational awareness when switching between sensors
• Common FOVs for the system (NFOF, WFOV, SWFOV)
• Super Wide Field of View for IR Camera
• Navigation capability at Night with IR video on HUD
• Better situational awareness before switching to narrower FOVs
• Continuous Zoom for IR Camera (Optional)
• Advanced Image Processing
• Simultaneous MFD and HUD Video Outputs
• Sensor-In-Sensor
• Picture-In-Picture
• Multi Target Tracking
• Simultaneous Target Tracking on IR and TV Videos
• Video and Inertial Target Tracking
• Accurate Target Geo-Location
• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
• Accurate Stabilization
• Automatic Alignment with Platform
• Integrated Environmental Control Unit
• Continuous Roll Capability
• Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground Modes
• Video and Data Recorder (Optional)
• Simultaneous Recording of IR and TV Videos and Mission Data
• Solid State Type Recorder for High Reliability
• Zeroize
• Mission Debriefing
• In-Flight Video Playback

(2) The AselPOD is a test bed for the TFX internal/integrated Advanced targeting and navigation POD.
(3) Turkey can export the AselPOD to any country it likes without any third-party export controls

Technical Specifications

Sensor Resolutions IR: 640x512
TV: 768x576

Fields of View (FOVs) IR: 0.8° - 4.0° - 28°
(Horizontal) TV: 0.8° - 4.0°

Field of Regard (FOR) Azimuth: 360° continuous
Elevation: +45° to -150°

Laser Range Finder and Target Designator
Wavelength (Combat): 1064 nm
Wavelength (Training): 1570 nm
Repetition rate: up to 20 Hz

Laser Pointer Wavelength: NIR
Laser Spot Tracker Wavelength: 1064 nm

Communication Interface MIL-STD-1553B
Video Interface 2x Video Output (RS-170)
1x Video Input (Optional)

Power Interface 115 VAC 400Hz and 28 VDC
Size Diameter: 430 mm
Length: 2350 mm
Weight 240 kg

http://www.aselsan.com.tr/en-us/cap.../air-platforms/aselpod-advanced-targeting-pod

ASELSAN SECURED A SALE FOR ASELPOD TARGETING POD (TO PAKISTAN?)

Jun 13, 2016

On Friday, the Turkish defence electronics giant Aselsan signed a $25 million U.S. contract to integrate its ASELPOD advanced targeting pod onto an “airborne platform” of a “foreign customer.”

The ASELPOD is marketed by Aselsan as “a high performance electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed specifically for fighter aircrafts.” A targeting pod is typically used to guide laser-guided bombs (LGB) to a fixed or moving targets.

However, an advanced targeting pod is more than simply a laser designator or rangefinder; with forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, image processing, video recording, etc, pods such as the ASELPOD can also double as day/night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tools.

According to some Turkish media outlets, the undisclosed customer is likely Jordan or Pakistan, mainly on the count of them operating F-16s and the ASELPOD being compatible with that platform.

Comment and Analysis

It would be curious to see either Jordan or Pakistan acquire the ASELPOD for their respective F-16s, both countries’ F-16s already benefit from the Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). In fact, Pakistan in particular would be averse to the idea of integrating non-U.S. hardware onto its F-16s, such a course would have it deal with getting original equipment vendor clearances and support. If not a hurdle from a regulatory standpoint, it would be a headache in terms of cost.

In Pakistan’s case, the ASELPOD would likely find its way onto the JF-17 Thunder. In April, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)’s second-in-command Air Marshal Muhammad Ashfaque Arain revaled that the PAF was seeking a new targeting pod for use on the JF-17. At the time, Air Marshal Arain made note of the Thales Damocles, but mentioend that the PAF would go for alternative options should it not be able to procure the Damocles. It could be that the PAF is now in the process of acquiring the Aselsan ASELPOD.

An earlier article on Quwa noted that the Aselsan ASELPOD could be procured for use from the JF-17. It is important to note that the $25 million U.S. contract disclosed by Aselsan only makes note of integration to an airborne platform, there is no mention of pods actually being sold. It is possible that this contract is only the first phase of a larger order (which could involve targeting pods later).

There is considerable potential for the Turkish defence industry in this area. In tandem with Aselsan and the ASELPOD, one could see Roketsan making moves to market the Teber LGB kit as well as UMTAS laser-guided air-to-ground missile and CİRİT laser-guided rockets. Although the PAF is not short of munitions options, a packaged Turkish pod and guided munitions deal could be interesting for future or prospective JF-17 buyers, such as Nigeriaand Azerbaijan, respectively.

http://quwa.org/2016/06/13/aselsan-secured-sale-aselpod-targeting-pod-pakistan/

 

[khanasifm]

Sniper Cost ????????

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/government-kuwait-sniper-advanced-targeting-pods-atp

ASEL pod can be enhanced to 1k resolution? or current resolution is good enough?
Data link capability?

Just curious if its based on lightening iii then Current version of lightening NG has these enhancements

Not sure even french pod has 1k resolution and data link capability

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

NOTE; Quote from directly Robust, some other forum which will answer your quesion. How, why, when it has developed by Aselsan. @Bilal Khan 777

" I think there could be several reasons that can explain Turkey's desire to design and develop certain items locally. My answer will be a little long if you don't mind. One of the reasons is to reduce dependence on foreign weapon systems as much as possible. It is about politics between countries. Even though Turkey is a member of NATO and close ally of US, time to time there has been conflict of interest between Turkey and US in general. This conflict of interest resulted in delayed weapon deliveries or some case even rejections to Turkey by US or some other NATO members in the past. Especially in certain technologies such mission computers, certain sensors, software, or missile technologies are considered critical technologies and (understandably )protected by export laws. For example, even purchasing a flir system with laser designator capability (for use in locally produced UAVs) requires special permissions from US Goverment (for ITAR or MTCR conditions). As you may know laser designators can be used for guiding laser guided weapons and it is considered a critical technology by the MTCR agreement. You cannot use this flir/laser designator system to fire bombs/missiles from locally produced tactical or MALE class UAVs. As a side note, China is flooding weaponized CH-3/4 UAVs to the market and Iraq, Nigeria, Suadi Arabia have already purchased these armed UAVS from China with no hassle/condition.

There is also economical reasons to produce such systems. Turkey has a young educated population, research and development cost of certain weapon systems( we are not talking about designing a spacecraft) are cheaper than the US or some other EU contries. Depending on complexity and technological level of a system, these local investment are considered affordable, especially, if there is a local know-how to produce similar systems. Turkish company Aselsan has been investing heavily on local production of E/O sensors( nigth vision systems, optics, lenses etc), laser range finders/degisnators and thermal cameras, helmet mounted display systems etc. Aselsan now produces IR array detectors locally, the most critical technology in thermal camera business. Aselsan first produced AF200 with license from Rayheon, then developed its own AF-300 series E/O gimbal for local UAV ANKA and attack helo T-129. So, Aselsan has gained know-how and technology from these previous projects before starting AselPOD development. If I remember correctly, the contract amount to develop AselPOD systems was about 55 million $(design, development of 4 prototype pods). It is not 100% Turkish made locally but a few the subsystems of AselPOD are purchased form US or EU companies as COST items. I remember the bidding process of buying 20+ LITENING-III pods for Turkish F-4E/2020 aircraft. Rafale from Israel was asking about additional 15-20 million dolars for integration money in addition to the cost of selling 20 pods. Also, over the life cycle of these sensors ( and weapons), need upgrades every 10 years due to development of new technologies and being obsolate over the time . So, designing and producing locally could be expensive initially but over the life cycle, it could be cheaper. Again Turkey's low engineering and production cost, and using COST items as much as possible in the development process make this strategy cost effective and works. "

Specifications;

ASELPOD is a high performance electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed specifically for fighter aircrafts. ASELPOD is designed as the new generation targeting pod for fighter aircrafts.

ASELPOD is a multi-sensor targeting pod consisting of:

• High Resolution, 3rd generation FLIR
• Laser Range Finder / Target Designator
• Laser Spot Tracker
• Laser Pointer
• Advanced Video Tracking (Simultaneously on IR/Day Video)
• IR/Day Video & Mission History Recording
• Advanced Image Processing
• Providing Highly Accurate Geo-Location Coordinates
• Growth Potential for Mission Requirements

With a modular mechanical design, ASELPOD comprises high density capabilities.
ASELPOD designed to fit fighter jets such as F-16's and F-4's and can be adapted to various air platforms.

Applications

• Targeting
• Reconnaissance and Surveillance

General Features

• Superior Range Performance
• Superior Maintainability
• Internal Boresight Unit
• Dual-Wavelength Laser Range Finder
• Eye-Safe Training Mode for LRF in Addition to Combat Mode
• Safe and Easier training
• Matched FOVs for IR and TV Cameras
• Better situational awareness when switching between sensors
• Common FOVs for the system (NFOF, WFOV, SWFOV)
• Super Wide Field of View for IR Camera
• Navigation capability at Night with IR video on HUD
• Better situational awareness before switching to narrower FOVs
• Continuous Zoom for IR Camera (Optional)
• Advanced Image Processing
• Simultaneous MFD and HUD Video Outputs
• Sensor-In-Sensor
• Picture-In-Picture
• Multi Target Tracking
• Simultaneous Target Tracking on IR and TV Videos
• Video and Inertial Target Tracking
• Accurate Target Geo-Location
• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
• Accurate Stabilization
• Automatic Alignment with Platform
• Integrated Environmental Control Unit
• Continuous Roll Capability
• Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground Modes
• Video and Data Recorder (Optional)
• Simultaneous Recording of IR and TV Videos and Mission Data
• Solid State Type Recorder for High Reliability
• Zeroize
• Mission Debriefing
• In-Flight Video Playback

(2) The AselPOD is a test bed for the TFX internal/integrated Advanced targeting and navigation POD.
(3) Turkey can export the AselPOD to any country it likes without any third-party export controls

Technical Specifications

Sensor Resolutions IR: 640x512
TV: 768x576

Fields of View (FOVs) IR: 0.8° - 4.0° - 28°
(Horizontal) TV: 0.8° - 4.0°

Field of Regard (FOR) Azimuth: 360° continuous
Elevation: +45° to -150°

Laser Range Finder and Target Designator
Wavelength (Combat): 1064 nm
Wavelength (Training): 1570 nm
Repetition rate: up to 20 Hz

Laser Pointer Wavelength: NIR
Laser Spot Tracker Wavelength: 1064 nm

Communication Interface MIL-STD-1553B
Video Interface 2x Video Output (RS-170)
1x Video Input (Optional)

Power Interface 115 VAC 400Hz and 28 VDC
Size Diameter: 430 mm
Length: 2350 mm
Weight 240 kg

http://www.aselsan.com.tr/en-us/cap.../air-platforms/aselpod-advanced-targeting-pod

ASELSAN SECURED A SALE FOR ASELPOD TARGETING POD (TO PAKISTAN?)

Jun 13, 2016

On Friday, the Turkish defence electronics giant Aselsan signed a $25 million U.S. contract to integrate its ASELPOD advanced targeting pod onto an “airborne platform” of a “foreign customer.”

The ASELPOD is marketed by Aselsan as “a high performance electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed specifically for fighter aircrafts.” A targeting pod is typically used to guide laser-guided bombs (LGB) to a fixed or moving targets.

However, an advanced targeting pod is more than simply a laser designator or rangefinder; with forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, image processing, video recording, etc, pods such as the ASELPOD can also double as day/night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tools.

According to some Turkish media outlets, the undisclosed customer is likely Jordan or Pakistan, mainly on the count of them operating F-16s and the ASELPOD being compatible with that platform.

Comment and Analysis

It would be curious to see either Jordan or Pakistan acquire the ASELPOD for their respective F-16s, both countries’ F-16s already benefit from the Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). In fact, Pakistan in particular would be averse to the idea of integrating non-U.S. hardware onto its F-16s, such a course would have it deal with getting original equipment vendor clearances and support. If not a hurdle from a regulatory standpoint, it would be a headache in terms of cost.

In Pakistan’s case, the ASELPOD would likely find its way onto the JF-17 Thunder. In April, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)’s second-in-command Air Marshal Muhammad Ashfaque Arain revaled that the PAF was seeking a new targeting pod for use on the JF-17. At the time, Air Marshal Arain made note of the Thales Damocles, but mentioend that the PAF would go for alternative options should it not be able to procure the Damocles. It could be that the PAF is now in the process of acquiring the Aselsan ASELPOD.

An earlier article on Quwa noted that the Aselsan ASELPOD could be procured for use from the JF-17. It is important to note that the $25 million U.S. contract disclosed by Aselsan only makes note of integration to an airborne platform, there is no mention of pods actually being sold. It is possible that this contract is only the first phase of a larger order (which could involve targeting pods later).

There is considerable potential for the Turkish defence industry in this area. In tandem with Aselsan and the ASELPOD, one could see Roketsan making moves to market the Teber LGB kit as well as UMTAS laser-guided air-to-ground missile and CİRİT laser-guided rockets. Although the PAF is not short of munitions options, a packaged Turkish pod and guided munitions deal could be interesting for future or prospective JF-17 buyers, such as Nigeriaand Azerbaijan, respectively.

http://quwa.org/2016/06/13/aselsan-secured-sale-aselpod-targeting-pod-pakistan/

These projects keep our ODTU, ITU* and other folks busy. Very good Masters thesis and Doctoral dissertations are readily available because of these well funded projects. Thanks to TC (Republic of Turkey)...

*Top Turkish technical universities

 

[cabatli_53]

There is no rival. ASELPOD is a license built Lightning III, even if Turkey wants to make it look like their own. Chinese pods are not ready to PAF standards, and Thales is not offering. This makes the Turks the only available technology options. It is likely that the ASELPOD is the chosen ATP for JF17.

The Pod would need to be qualified and integrated for JF17, and that will be a 2 year process prior to the system coming in use.

There is no licence built for AselPod. Turkey has been pouring money and spent serious time for development of E/O devices, subsystems and detectors. It is the reason officials pay extra money for establishment of additional installations along with universty inputs.