Naval assets receive extensive coverage with the 360-degree radar capability provided by Aselsan's Cenk 350-N system.
Turkey's Cenk 350-N AESA Radar Enhances Maritime Defense Capabilities
The Cenk 350-N, a cutting-edge Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed by Turkish defense company Aselsan, is set to revolutionise maritime defense systems. Built on Gallium Nitride (GaN) solid-state technology, this radar system offers a host of advantages that make it a formidable asset for modern naval platforms.
The Cenk 350-N's key features include a 4D tracking capability, enabling it to monitor range, azimuth, elevation, and speed of targets. This high-resolution detection and classification of both air and surface threats ensures no blind spots, thanks to its four panels each covering 90° azimuth and 70° elevation, providing full hemispherical surveillance around naval vessels.
As a multi-function radar, the Cenk 350-N handles wide-area surveillance, multi-target tracking, classification, fire control operations, and weapons guidance. It supports missile systems such as Turkey's GOKSUR short-range air defense missiles. The radar system's high performance in complex environments is attributed to advanced digital signal processing, pulse compression technology, electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), and fast response times.
The Cenk 350-N's long-range tracking of around 250km provides early warning and extended situational awareness at sea. Additionally, the radar system boasts cybersecurity and network integration features, tested with AES-256 encryption, quantum-resistant algorithms, and AI-powered data validation, enhancing secure real-time data sharing in network-centric warfare environments.
Operational benefits of the Cenk 350-N include consolidating search, tracking, classification, and engagement into a single system, reducing system complexity and improving response times on naval platforms like MILGEM-class corvettes. The radar system's export success is evident, with rapid international adoption including Indonesia, where it is marketed as "Mete Han" and integrated on Arrowhead-140 frigates.
Unveiled by Aselsan at IDEF 2025, the Cenk 350-N provides modern naval platforms with a "steel dome" of protection, combining advanced detection, classification, tracking, and fire control in a compact, GaN-based design. Its superior situational awareness through higher refresh rates for target tracking and mid-course guidance of air defense missiles makes it a valuable addition to any naval fleet.
While the global market for AESA radars is dominated by established systems like the U.S. Navy's AN/SPY-6, France's Thales Sea Fire, and the Dutch-German APAR radar, the Cenk 350-N's capabilities and rapid international adoption are a testament to its reliability and competitiveness in global defense markets.
The Cenk 350-N, a Turkish-developed AESA radar system, operates on GaN solid-state technology and is supported by NATO member Turkey's GOKSUR short-range air defense missiles, positioning it for consideration by other NATO countries seeking advanced technology for their maritime defense capabilities.
As a multi-function radar with integrated cybersecurity and network features, the export success of the Cenk 350-N, such as its adoption by Indonesia, demonstrates its potential to become a competitive option in the global AESA radar market.
