The ADVENT Combat Management System and the FleetStar Ship Data Distribution System, developed by HAVELSAN, have enabled the TCG ANADOLU and the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV to operate in full digital harmony, elevating Türkiye’s “UCAV Carrier” concept to an operational level.
Two critical strengths of the Turkish defense industry in naval and air platforms have gained the capability to act as a single entity through indigenous software solutions. According to a statement by HAVELSAN, the integration efforts between the TCG ANADOLU (L-400), described as the world’s first UCAV carrier, and the shipborne unmanned aerial vehicle Bayraktar TB3, developed by Baykar, were successfully completed ahead of NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise.
Digital Harmony: Management as an Organic Sensor
With the integration process, the Bayraktar TB3 has evolved from being merely a vehicle transmitting external data to the TCG ANADOLU into an organic sensor and weapon system directly connected to the ADVENT Combat Management System (CMS), regarded as the platform’s “brain.”
As a result of meticulous efforts, the TB3’s flight data and high-resolution real-time imagery began to be processed live on ADVENT CMS screens. This enables decision-makers in the operations center to directly synchronize intelligence gathered from the UCAV with the ship’s defense and offensive systems.
The “Brain” and the “Nervous System” in Action
Two core components play a critical role in the system architecture:
- ADVENT CMS: Thanks to its network-enabled structure, it not only retains data received from the Bayraktar TB3 within the TCG ANADOLU but also instantly shares it with other task group ships operating on the same network.
- FleetStar Ship Data Distribution System (SDDS): Serving as the ship’s “nervous system,” this system collects all sensor data with the highest precision and distributes it to relevant subsystems, ensuring accurate delivery of critical navigation data such as the UCAV’s position relative to the ship and its approach angle.
Operational Speed and Modularity
This integration, achieved through HAVELSAN’s open architecture, allows new unmanned platforms to be rapidly incorporated into the system in the future thanks to FleetStar’s modular structure. With the verification of bidirectional data flow, operational decision-making speed has increased, and the effectiveness of the TCG ANADOLU as a command and control center has been maximized.
The performance demonstrated during the Steadfast Dart 2026 Exercise, closely monitored by NATO allies, showcased the new level Türkiye has reached in naval aviation and network-centric warfare capabilities.
Source: C4Defence / HAVELSAN
