Turkey’s defense research complex, in partnership with local companies, continues to develop and enhance capabilities to equip the Armed Forces’ combat platforms. This is evidenced by the latest test, which featured the new EDPOD tactical electronic support pod developed for integration on the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 fighter jets.
Officially designated as EDPOD, it is a new electronic warfare pod designed to be integrated into various combat platforms in service with the Turkish Air Force. As shown in videos that went viral in recent days, the latest tests were carried out using one of the F-16 Block 40 aircraft belonging to the 401st Test Squadron, a unit that has been particularly active.
Prior to the EDPOD trials, these F-16s were also used for the testing and evaluation of new guided weapons developed by research organizations and local companies, notably including the launch of the new SOM-J anti-ship missile and the GÖZDE guidance kit for unguided bombs, developed by ROKETSAN and ASELSAN, respectively.
The EDPOD is a tactical electronic support pod developed by the Informatics and Information Security Research Center of TÜBİTAK (also known as TÜBİTAK BİLGEM).
Unveiled at the 2019 edition of the IDEF International Defense Industry Fair, this new electronic warfare pod was designed to detect, track, and identify threats from radar and air defense systems, thus providing a comprehensive view of the battlefield, known as the Electronic Order of Battle (EOB).
Using various types of sensors, EDPOD can detect, extract, and collect signal intelligence data, supplying critical information to the Turkish Air Force’s electronic warfare units and feeding data into Command and Control Centers. This enables the identification and location of potential threats such as radar systems, air defense installations, and enemy aircraft.
In terms of operation, once a signal is detected, the pod can identify parameters such as operating frequency, pulse amplitude, repetition intervals, and other characteristics. It can then determine the geographic location of the enemy system and transmit real-time information to command and control centers via its Datalink 16 systems.
Following the official release of the test video, the Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, stated: “The radar signal detection tactical electronic support pod F-16 EDPOD, developed with national and domestic resources by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, has successfully completed all tests conducted against real radar systems.”
He added: “In line with the goals of our National Technology Initiative, we continue to develop critical infrastructure and unique technologies needed by our country, working toward a Fully Independent and Great Türkiye.”
You may also like Greece’s Navy U214 attack submarines to undergo modernization program
