The Turkish defense company Aselsan introduces GOKDENIZ 35 mm Dual Barrel Close-in Weapon System (CIWS). The CIWS system, sensors and electronics manufactured by Aselsan. The system’s primary purpose is to defend against sea skimming anti-ship missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and other precision guided weapons. It can also be employed against conventional and rotary-wing aircraft, surface ships, small water-crafts, coastal targets and floating mines. The GOKDENIZ complex along with Aselsan ATOM 35mm airburst ammunition is a CIWS variant of KORKUT Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Each GOKDENIZ platform carries a variant of Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon, manufactured under licence by MKEK. The Oerlikon GDF or Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves (now Rheinmetall Air Defence AG). The CIWS can fire up to 1100 rounds a minute up to an effective range of 4 km. The system with the Automatic Linkless Ammunition Feed Mechanism allows loading both HEI and Airburst Ammunition at the same time and switching between ammunition types as needed. The cannons can fire different types of 35×228 mm NATO-standard ammunitions including Aselsan made ATOM 35mm airburst ammunition.
ATOM 35mm airburst ammunition ejects tungsten pellets at a predetermined distance. It is a smart ammunition which has a base fuse. Together with the ability of precise time counting and the capability of being programmed during firing by taking muzzle velocity into consideration automatically sets the fuse to detonate the round as it approaches a pre-set distance from the target. Whilst a single pellet is too small to do major damage in itself, the accumulation of damage from multiple strikes is designed to destroy wings and control surfaces, sensors and aerodynamics, causing the target to crash. ATOM 35mm is resistant against electromagnetic jamming.
Aselsan (Askeri Elektronik Sanayi) is a Turkish defense corporation headquartered in Ankara, Turkey. Its main operating area is research, development and manufacture of advanced military products for air, land and maritime forces. The company is one of the major contractors of Turkish Armed Forces. ASELSAN designs, develops and manufactures modern electronic systems for military and industrial customers in Turkey and abroad. The company headquarters is located at Macunköy facilities in Ankara, Turkey. Turkish Army Foundation is the founder and major stockholder.
