Hava üstünlüğü sağlamak için insansız hava araçlarının konuşlandırılması
Unmanned aerial vehicles positioning for air superiority
Yazar: RÜVEYDA KARLANKUŞ
Danışman: DOÇ. DR. İREM UÇAL SARI
İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi / Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü / Savunma Teknolojileri Ana Bilim Dalı / Savunma Teknolojileri Bilim Dalı
Derece: Yüksek Lisans, 2024
Konu: Savunma ve Savunma Teknolojileri = Defense and Defense Technologies

Özet:
Geçmişten günümüze devletler kendi çıkarını önceleme, üstünlük kurma, statükonun
muhafazası, dini, millî, siyasi ve ekonomik gibi çok farklı sebeplerden dolayı kendi
varlık bütünlüklerini korumak amacıyla savunma sistemlerini genişletmeye ve
geliştirmeye çalışmışlardır. Ülkeler arasındaki çatışmalarda üstünlük kurmayı
sağlayan en önemli etkenlerden biri savunma sanayinde yapmış oldukları teknolojik
atılımlar ve sahip oldukları savunma sistemleridir. Savunma sanayinde; Kara Savunma
Sistemleri, Deniz Savunma Sistemleri ve Hava Savunma Sistemleri olmak üzerine
çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Hava savunma sistemleri operasyonel yarıçapının fazla
olması sebebiyle ülkelerin birbiri üzerinde üstünlük kurma yarışında önemli bir rol
oynamaktadırlar. Hava Savunması sisteminin bir parçası olan hava araçları ilk olarak
1. Dünya savaşında keşif ve gözetleme için amacıyla kullanılmıştır ve savaşta düşman
unsura karşı ciddi bir avantaj elde edilmesine, savaşta düşman unsurların bir adım
önüne geçilmesine olanak sağlamıştır. Savaşta taraflardan birini avantajlı konuma
getirmesi üzerine havacılık sektöründeki gelişmeler hız kazanmıştır. Görev icra
edilecek bölgeye daha kısa sürede ulaşabilecek, yer tarafından gelebilecek
saldırılardan daha hızlı kaçabilecek hızlı hava araçları tasarlanmaya başlanmıştır.
Tasarımlar sonucunda ortaya çıkan hızlı hava araçları ile daha kısa sürede gözetleme
yapılarak daha fazla bilgi toplanmaya başlanmıştır. Sonrasında hava araçlarına
mühimmatlar entegre edilerek hava araçlarının taarruz misyonu kazanması da
sağlanmıştır. Mühimmat teknolojilerinin gelişmesiyle de hava araçlarının harekât
yarıçapları ve yetkinlikleri artırılmıştır. Teknolojinin gelişmesiyle hava araçları
insansız hale getirilmiştir. İnsansız savaş uçaklarında, pilotun bulunmaması pilotların
can kaybı riskini ortadan kaldırmıştır. Hava araçlarının görev etkinlikleri artırılmıştır.
İnsansız hava araçları olası bir tehlike durumunda savunma maksadıyla dost unsurları
korumak, kıymetli unsurları korumak, stratejik altyapıları korumak vb. gibi birçok
farklı görev tipinde kullanılabilmektedir. Türkiye'de Havacılık Savunma Sanayi
kapsamında üretimi yapılan birçok yerli İnsansız Hava Aracı bulunmaktadır. Bu hava
araçları Türkiye'nin hava sahasını korumak, hava savunma etkinliğini artırmak
amacıyla kullanılmaktadır. Türkiye'nin tehdit unsurlara karşı hava üstünlüğünü veya
hava eşliği sağlamak maksadıyla, insansız hava araçlarının farklı bölgelere farklı
miktarda konuşlandırılması gerekmektedir. Hangi bölgelerde kaç adet hangi tipte
insansız hava aracı konumlandırılması olası bir tehdit durumunda savunmanın
sağlanabilmesi için önemlidir. Bu tezde insansız hava araçlarının konumlandırılmasına
yönelik çalışmalar değerlendirilmiş ve matematiksel modeller ile hava üstünlüğünü
sağlamak için insansız hava araçları en uygun şekilde konuşlandırılmıştır.

Abstract:
From the past to the present, states have endeavored to expand and enhance their
defense systems in order to preserve their territorial integrity for various reasons such
as prioritizing their interests, establishing superiority, maintaining the status quo, and
religious, national, political, and economic concerns. Technological advancements and
the defense systems they possess are among the most significant factors enabling states
to establish superiority in conflicts between nations. Studies in defense industry focus
on Land Defense Systems, Naval Defense Systems, and Air Defense Systems.
Technological advancements and defense systems possessed have been crucial factors
in gaining superiority in interstate conflicts, with air defense systems being among the
most important. Geopolitical dynamics, along with international security and strategic
balances, have increased the significance of the air defense industry. The rapid
evolution of aviation technologies has become a fundamental necessity in ensuring the
security of international airspace and strengthening defense strategies. Air defense
systems not only protect a country's territorial integrity but also become a strategic
factor influencing regional and global power balances. Due to their extensive
operational range, air defense systems play a critical role in the race for superiority on
the international stage. As part of the Air Defense System, aircraft were used for
reconnaissance and surveillance purposes during World War I, providing a significant
advantage against enemy elements and advancing in warfare. With the advent of
warfare, the need for technologies that provide an advantage in conflicts led to the
rapid development of warplanes. For instance, the use of warplanes with low
operational altitude in the early days prompted developments to counter threats from
the ground. Aviation sector advancements accelerated as the ability to position aircraft
quickly to a designated area and swiftly fend off ground attacks became essential. The
emergence of fast aircraft facilitated faster reconnaissance and data gathering.
Subsequently, integrating armaments onto aircraft provided them with offensive
capabilities. The development of munitions technologies further enhanced the
operational range and capabilities of aircraft. With technological advancements,
aircraft were unmanned. Warplanes in the latest technology are being unmanned and
endowed with autonomous decision-making capabilities through artificial intelligence.
The absence of pilots in unmanned combat aerial vehicles eliminates the risk of pilot
losses, thereby increasing the mission effectiveness of aircraft. Unmanned aerial
vehicles are more cost-effective than manned combat aircraft. Eliminating the
presence of pilots eradicates the continuous training costs allocated for pilots and
mitigates the risk of losing competent pilots. In situations where human life is at stake,
such as high-risk scenarios, the possibility of losing human life and the possibility of
pilots choosing not to engage are eliminated with the unmanned conversion of combat
aircraft. Unmanned aerial vehicles can be used for defense purposes against potential
threats in various mission types, including protecting friendly forces, safeguarding
valuable assets, and securing strategic infrastructure. In Turkey, many indigenous
From the past to the present, states have endeavored to expand and enhance their
defense systems in order to preserve their territorial integrity for various reasons such
as prioritizing their interests, establishing superiority, maintaining the status quo, and
religious, national, political, and economic concerns. Technological advancements and
the defense systems they possess are among the most significant factors enabling states
to establish superiority in conflicts between nations. Studies in defense industry focus
on Land Defense Systems, Naval Defense Systems, and Air Defense Systems.
Technological advancements and defense systems possessed have been crucial factors
in gaining superiority in interstate conflicts, with air defense systems being among the
most important. Geopolitical dynamics, along with international security and strategic
balances, have increased the significance of the air defense industry. The rapid
evolution of aviation technologies has become a fundamental necessity in ensuring the
security of international airspace and strengthening defense strategies. Air defense
systems not only protect a country's territorial integrity but also become a strategic
factor influencing regional and global power balances. Due to their extensive
operational range, air defense systems play a critical role in the race for superiority on
the international stage. As part of the Air Defense System, aircraft were used for
reconnaissance and surveillance purposes during World War I, providing a significant
advantage against enemy elements and advancing in warfare. With the advent of
warfare, the need for technologies that provide an advantage in conflicts led to the
rapid development of warplanes. For instance, the use of warplanes with low
operational altitude in the early days prompted developments to counter threats from
the ground. Aviation sector advancements accelerated as the ability to position aircraft
quickly to a designated area and swiftly fend off ground attacks became essential. The
emergence of fast aircraft facilitated faster reconnaissance and data gathering.
Subsequently, integrating armaments onto aircraft provided them with offensive
capabilities. The development of munitions technologies further enhanced the
operational range and capabilities of aircraft. With technological advancements,
aircraft were unmanned. Warplanes in the latest technology are being unmanned and
endowed with autonomous decision-making capabilities through artificial intelligence.
The absence of pilots in unmanned combat aerial vehicles eliminates the risk of pilot
losses, thereby increasing the mission effectiveness of aircraft. Unmanned aerial
vehicles are more cost-effective than manned combat aircraft. Eliminating the
presence of pilots eradicates the continuous training costs allocated for pilots and
mitigates the risk of losing competent pilots. In situations where human life is at stake,
such as high-risk scenarios, the possibility of losing human life and the possibility of
pilots choosing not to engage are eliminated with the unmanned conversion of combat
aircraft. Unmanned aerial vehicles can be used for defense purposes against potential
threats in various mission types, including protecting friendly forces, safeguarding
valuable assets, and securing strategic infrastructure. In Turkey, many indigenous
including the procurement of military equipment, soldiers' salaries, training,
maintenance, and operational expenses. Therefore, a nation's defense strategy should
be cost-effective, meaning that the benefits provided should outweigh the costs.
Additionally, the effectiveness of the defense strategy also influences the cost balance;
a more expensive strategy may not necessarily be more effective. Hence, considering
the cost factor is essential when determining a country's defense strategy. Unmanned
aerial vehicles have become increasingly pivotal in modern defense strategies,
necessitating the establishment of suitable infrastructure for their deployment. This
infrastructure encompasses locations where unmanned aerial vehicles can take off and
land, as well as facilities for maintenance and logistical support. The cost of airport
infrastructure setup is a significant decision criterion for the effective utilization of
unmanned aerial vehicles. This cost includes expenditures for constructing a suitable
airport or airbase or upgrading existing facilities to meet the required standards. It
encompasses the construction or enhancement of runways, hangars, maintenance
facilities, fuel depots, logistical centers, and security systems. The cost of establishing
adequate infrastructure for unmanned aerial vehicles deployment can constitute a
substantial portion of the defense budget. Therefore, when determining a country's
strategy for utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles, it is crucial to consider both these costs
and the benefits that unmanned aerial vehicles can provide. Balancing cost and benefit
forms the foundation of an effective deployment strategy. The air defense industry not
only entails advanced technological capabilities but also fosters international
collaborations and strategic partnerships. Developments in this field can have
significant impacts not only on defense but also on trade, diplomatic relations, and
industrial cooperation. Inter-country competition incentivizes innovation and progress
in this domain, creating an important dynamic for the continuous improvement of
aerospace defense systems. The air defense industry has become a decisive factor not
only in a country's ability to protect its own territory but also in international relations.
Today, the protection of a country's airspace holds strategic importance not only in
wartime scenarios but also in a broad spectrum of contexts such as counterterrorism,
cybersecurity, and crisis situations. Therefore, air defense systems and technologies
are viewed as critical components for ensuring both the internal and external security
of a nation. In the strategy of air defense, deterrence plays a paramount role.
Demonstrating that a country's air defense system is robust and effective is crucial for
deterring potential threat actors. A potent inventory of air defense assets sends a clear
message that any hostile aerial incursion would result in significant consequences. This
situation serves to dissuade potential aggressors from entertaining the notion of an
attack and thereby contributes to the preservation of peace. The foundation of
deterrence lies in inducing potential adversaries to contemplate the consequences of
their aggressive actions and to opt for abstention from such actions. Consequently, a
country's air defense system serves not only defensive purposes but also functions as
a strategic deterrent. A strong air defense inventory operates as a coercive element
against potential threat actors, thereby enhancing national security.