The DERİNGÖZ Autonomous Underwater Vehicle developed by ASELSAN conducted exploration and surveillance in the Euphrates River in the Halfeti district of Şanlıurfa. Using its cameras and sensors, the vehicle captured images of traces of old settlements submerged underwater and the region’s underwater topography. A video of the exploration activity was shared on ASELSAN’s social media account.
Why it matters
This work shows that vehicles capable of going beyond surface observations can be used to examine traces of old settlements submerged underwater and the riverbed. The images obtained with cameras and sensors enable assessments of the underwater areas in Halfeti to be based on more concrete data. The vehicle’s use in both exploration and surveillance missions demonstrates that the same technology brings together examinations of areas with cultural heritage significance and security-oriented investigations within the same framework. However, the information shared does not include details on the extent of the traces of old settlements captured, the findings regarding the underwater topography, or how this data will be evaluated.