Underwater operations represent one of the most complex and strategic domains within defense.
Because water significantly limits the propagation of electromagnetic waves, underwater communication systems face far greater technical challenges compared to conventional communication technologies.
Acoustic communication is therefore of critical importance for transmitting data in underwater environments. However, environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, and pressure can significantly affect the propagation of acoustic signals, introducing additional complexity and variability into underwater communication systems.
STM invests significantly in R&D for underwater communication systems. Through advanced sensor fusion algorithms, STM enhances the environmental awareness of underwater platforms and enables seamless coordination between them. These technologies are effectively employed in critical missions such as mine detection, harbor security, submarine tracking, and underwater reconnaissance operations. STM is dedicated to developing indigenous solutions in underwater communication to reduce Türkiye’s dependence on foreign technologies in the defense industry.
Developed through collaboration between STM and BAUMIND, a subsidiary of Bahçeşehir University, theCTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) Probe Systemis Türkiye’s first domestically produced oceanographic measurement system. This system precisely measures physical parameters of seawater, including conductivity, temperature, and pressure, providing essential data for both defense and scientific underwater projects.
The CTD Probe can be deployed on surface ships, submarines, unmanned maritime vehicles, and scientific research platforms. With its integrated processor, the system calculates derivative parameters in real time, such as sound velocity, salinity, and specific gravity. CTD data contributes directly to the success of submarine operations by informing the performance modeling of sonar systems. Furthermore, the project includes the development of disposable measurement systems for generating temperature and sound velocity profiles relative to depth—an achievement being realized domestically for the first time. These systems have applications not only in military operations but also in environmental monitoring, marine mapping, and civilian oceanographic research.
The CTD Probe system stands out with its three-axis inertial measurement unit, robust structural design, and broad operational range. Having successfully passed hydrostatic pressure and field testing, the system is ready to be deployed in both domestic and international projects as a licensed STM solution.
As an innovative university-industry collaboration, STM and Bahçeşehir University (BAU) continue R&D efforts in the field of underwater optical communications. The project aims to provide the defense industry with optical communication capabilities that are immune to eavesdropping, jamming, and detection, supporting secure communication links between submarines and helicopters, submarines and divers, and submarines and surface vessels.
Currently, all existing underwater communication systems rely on RF technology. However, RF-based communication systems carry significant detection risks in operational environments and may become unusable in scenarios where transmission constraints arise due to adversarial interference or environmental conditions. In this context, theUnderwater Optical Communication Systemis being developed as both an alternative and a hybrid model to RF-based systems.
CoDiver (Underwater Optical Diver Communication System):Enables undetectable, unjammable, and immune communications between divers/Special Forces (SAT teams) and between divers/SAT teams and submarines.
CoLink (Surface Optical Communication System):Facilitates secure optical communications between surface vessels, immune to interception and jamming.
Co-Light (Underwater Lighting System):Supports hull surveys, underwater welding, repair activities in port environments without the need for dry-docking, and underwater photography operations.
Optical Communication Systems developed by STM provide unique operational advantages, ensuring highly secure, covert, and reliable communication capabilities across various underwater and surface maritime scenarios.