SANCAR AUSV completes live‑fire trials

The SANCAR AUSV live‑fire trials in the Marmara Sea confirmed a clear milestone for Türkiye’s unmanned surface warfare. The platform linked a stabilized 12.7 mm weapon to ADVENT ROTA and hit targets under fleet supervision. In short, SANCAR advanced from demonstration to an operationally credible node in the Navy’s digital kill chain [1].

What the live‑fire trials proved

The SANCAR AUSV live‑fire trials showed accurate engagement with a 12.7 mm remote weapon station. The firing sequence ran while the vehicle was fully integrated with ADVENT ROTA, the unmanned mission layer derived from HAVELSAN’s ADVENT combat management system (CMS) [1][2]. Moreover, the scenario exercised task handover, swarm operations, and coordinated strikes. These are the core building blocks of network‑centric surface warfare [1][2].

SANCAR’s software architecture unifies platform control, payloads, and navigation. Then, it shares data with shipboard ADVENT CMS nodes. As a result, manned and unmanned assets can coordinate without adding bespoke consoles to every ship [3]. This approach lowers integration cost and speeds fleet adoption.

ADVENT ROTA: compressing the maritime kill chain

ADVENT ROTA is the UxV mission layer of ADVENT CMS. It runs on the unmanned craft and speaks the same protocols as shipboard ADVENT. Therefore, a ship, a shore center, or another unmanned platform can assume control, pass tasks, or combine fires as the situation develops [3]. In practice:

The ADVENT CMS on any platform can act as the UxV control station. It coordinates with ROTA to manage payloads with operator assistance [3].

For littoral missions, this tight coupling reduces latency and simplifies command. Consequently, SANCAR behaves as a combat‑integrated AUSV, not a standalone robot.

Mission set and payload roadmap

Built by HAVELSAN and Yonca Shipyard, SANCAR measures 12.7 m in length with a 3.3 m beam. It is designed for port and base protection, ISR, mine countermeasures, and SAR. The sensor suite includes navigation radar, AIS, EO/IR cameras, sonar, and 360° video. Current and planned payloads include a 12.7 mm RWS—now validated—and guided missile options for layered deterrence [1][4]. Meanwhile, open sources note twin diesels with waterjets, sprint speeds above 40 kt, and patrol endurance near 400 nm at economy speed, which suits high‑tempo littoral duty [2].

Strategic context: why these trials matter

The SANCAR AUSV live‑fire trials arrive as navies accelerate manned‑unmanned teaming against swarms, loitering munitions, and small‑boat raids. Three dynamics stand out.

First, kill‑chain compression. With ADVENT ROTA tied to ADVENT CMS, SANCAR can sense, decide, and engage with fewer relays. This reduces delay and raises the chance of first‑round effects against fleeting littoral threats.

Second, scalable force packages. The trial’s swarm and coordinated‑strike drills preview task‑organized AUSV packs cued by a frigate, a shore C2 node, or a maritime patrol UAV. This flexibility is vital for base defense and choke‑point security, where threat volume shifts quickly.

Third, cost‑imposition. A modular AUSV with a 12.7 mm RWS—and later guided missiles—can impose a cost penalty on fast, small craft while keeping crews outside the engagement zone. In addition, the same hull can pivot to MCM or ISR as payloads mature, which protects investment over the life cycle.

Interoperability and export signal

SANCAR runs on the ADVENT ecosystem, which is now an export article. In early 2025, HAVELSAN signed with the Chilean Navy to modernize M‑class frigates with ADVENT CMS on a four‑year schedule [5][6]. While SANCAR is not part of that project, the common ADVENT stack lowers barriers for partners that later add unmanned surface assets. Consequently, Türkiye strengthens industrial diplomacy and tactical interoperability with navies that adopt ADVENT.

What to watch next

Missile integration. Watch timelines and rules of engagement for AUSVs carrying guided weapons.

MCM validation. Observe mine‑countermeasure payloads in real‑sea clutter, where autonomy and false alarms matter.

Cross‑domain handover. Track ship‑to‑shore‑to‑air‑to‑AUSV control under contested spectrum, where ADVENT’s multi‑link pedigree may prove decisive [3].

Internal Link

For a related look at surface‑hugging strike concepts, read our analysis of the sea‑skimming WIG combat drone—a novel approach to littoral denial [7].

External Link

For doctrinal and technical detail on ADVENT ROTA, consult HAVELSAN’s official ADVENT CMS and ROTA documentation [3].

Bottom line

The SANCAR AUSV live‑fire trials turned concept into practice. By rooting control and effects in ADVENT/ROTA—and by drilling swarm and coordinated‑strike tactics—HAVELSAN and Yonca Shipyard delivered a platform that scales with software and payloads. Therefore, SANCAR is a credible, near‑term option for maritime protection and denial across NATO‑aligned littorals.