The Future of Rail Transportation Systems: ASELSAN’s Integrated Vision for Smart Railway
Rail systems have become one of the most effective solutions for reducing congestion, improving mobility and supporting sustainable development. However, meeting the expectations of modern passengers requires far more than expanding railway networks. Operators today are looking for intelligent technologies that maximize safety, increase operational efficiency and optimize lifecycle costs while preparing rail systems for the future.
With nearly five decades of experience in developing mission-critical technologies, ASELSAN has successfully transferred its expertise to the transportation sector, offering a comprehensive portfolio of railway solutions ranging from signaling and train control systems to traction technologies and onboard power systems and AI-powered predictive maintenance solutions.
An Integrated Approach to Railway Technologies
Railway systems are becoming increasingly digital and interconnected. Rather than viewing signaling, onboard systems and traction equipment as separate technologies, ASELSAN approaches rail transportation as a complete ecosystem where every component communicates seamlessly with the others.
This integrated philosophy enables operators to improve reliability, simplify maintenance and enhance operational performance throughout the entire lifecycle of their fleets. Modular system architecture also allows solutions to be adapted to different vehicle types, including metros, light rail vehicles, electric multiple units and high-speed trains, providing flexibility for both new projects and modernization programs.
By combining software, electronics and systems engineering under one roof, ASELSAN aims to help railway operators manage increasingly complex transportation networks with greater efficiency and confidence.
Smart and Efficient Metro Operations with COBALT CL
One of the key components of ASELSAN’s rail systems solutions portfolio, COBALT CL stands out as a Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) metro signaling system.
Developed to enhance operational safety, punctuality, and efficiency, COBALT CL enables more trains to operate on the same line without requiring expansion of the existing infrastructure, while meeting the highest safety standards. Continuous communication between trains and the signaling system enables shorter headways, significantly increasing passenger carrying capacity.
COBALT CL supports all levels of railway automation, or Grade of Automation (GoA), from conventional operation with a driver to fully automatic and driverless metro operation. This enables transportation authorities to gradually modernize their existing lines while planning new lines to be ready for fully automatic operation.
In addition to the solutions developed within the system and made ready for operation in line with customer requirements and field experience, the SIL4 safety-critical computer platform (Vital Computer), one of the critical components of the onboard signaling system, is also part of ASELSAN’s portfolio. The development of critical test infrastructures required for the verification and certification of systems designed to provide high availability and safety levels has further strengthened ASELSAN’s system and technology capabilities in metro signaling.
In addition to improving operational efficiency, COBALT CL contributes to reducing maintenance requirements through its simplified architecture and reduced amount of trackside equipment. Its integrated traffic management and automatic train operation functions enable more effective regulation of train movements and contribute to energy efficiency across the line.
COBALT CL is successfully in operation on Türkiye’s Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Halkalı Metro Line. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h and enabling Europe’s fastest driverless metro operation, the system represents an important milestone for Türkiye’s railway sector while demonstrating the country’s capability to develop and implement advanced metro signaling technologies for large-scale urban transportation projects on an international scale.
In operation since January 2023, COBALT CL has covered 5.7 million kilometers to date, providing more than 30 million passengers with safe and comfortable transportation. With the addition of the Halkalı section, the system now serves approximately 70 kilometers of track and 16 stations, maintaining an availability rate of 99.96%.
Safe and Modern Mainline Railway Operations with COBALT ML OB
ASELSAN’s signaling technologies for rail systems are not limited to urban rail transportation. Developed for mainline railways, COBALT ML OB Mainline Onboard Signaling System is being developed in compliance with the ERTMS/ETCS Baseline 4 standard, one of the latest levels of European railway standards.
Upon completion of the Baseline 4 certification process for COBALT ML OB, the product is targeted to become the first product in the world to hold this certification. This capability stands out as a significant technological achievement that will strengthen ASELSAN’s position in the global mainline signaling market.
In addition to its mainline signaling solution, ASELSAN is also developing key components that can be commonly used across the system locally. By developing and certifying components such as the SIL4 safety-critical computer platform (European Vital Computer), Doppler Speed Measurement Radar, and Juridical Recorder Unit, ASELSAN is establishing a high-technology and sustainable product family.
Furthermore, bringing an ERTMS/ETCS Onboard Test infrastructure to Türkiye—an infrastructure available in only a limited number of accredited laboratories worldwide and required for the verification and certification of safety-critical systems—stands out as another important step strengthening ASELSAN’s capabilities in this field.
Within the scope of COBALT ML OB, strategic contracts have been signed with TCDD Taşımacılık and TÜRASAŞ, Türkiye’s railway system authorities, covering the supply of more than 300 systems. Through the integration of these systems into 4 different locomotive types and 3 different train-set platforms, the objective is to equip both existing and next-generation railway vehicles with modern signaling technologies.
Within this framework, equipping Türkiye’s localized existing and next-generation railway fleet with COBALT ML OB represents a significant transformation in terms of safety, operational efficiency, and compliance with international standards.
Smart Train Control and Digital Management with KAPTAN
Modern trains generate enormous amounts of operational data every second. Transforming this information into actionable insights has become essential for improving reliability and passenger service.
ASELSAN addresses this need through its KAPTAN Train Control and Management System (TCMS), which serves as the nerve center of railway vehicles. The platform continuously monitors and manages critical onboard functions, enabling operators to oversee vehicle performance through a single integrated system.
Beyond everyday operations, the system supports predictive maintenance by continuously monitoring equipment health and identifying potential issues before they affect service. This helps reduce unexpected failures, improve fleet availability and lower maintenance costs while increasing operational reliability.
Its flexible architecture also allows railway operators to configure the system according to different vehicle platforms and operational requirements, making it suitable for a wide variety of rail applications.
Supporting Efficient and Sustainable Mobility
As sustainability becomes a defining priority for transportation systems worldwide, improving energy efficiency has become just as important as enhancing operational performance.
ASELSAN contributes to this objective by developing advanced traction technologies that combine high performance with energy efficiency. The CESUR Traction Converter and YAMAN Traction Motor deliver smoother acceleration, regenerative braking, and efficient power distribution, while continuously monitoring system performance to ensure reliable operation.
Together, these solutions help operators reduce operating costs, improve vehicle availability and support long-term sustainability objectives.
AI-Powered Predictive Maintenance with URUK TRN
Improving reliability in railway operations requires not only resolving failures quickly, but also predicting them before they occur. ASELSAN’s AI-powered central monitoring and management system, URUK TRN, brings this approach to railway vehicles.
URUK TRN is an AI-powered central monitoring and management system developed by ASELSAN that can be utilized across various types of trains. It ensures that all data from trains integrated into the system via installed hardware is monitored in real-time through central software.
The system offers capabilities such as collecting all data generated by the vehicle and its subsystems, transferring this data to the central monitoring and management software (URUK TRN), monitoring and reporting the transferred data, alarm tracking, analysis of obtained data, generation of AI-powered predictive maintenance outputs, and anomaly detection.
In the system, data collection and transfer to the central software are provided by the Remote Monitoring Unit (RMU) installed in each train set. Data from train subsystems and components, such as traction, braking, power and voltage systems, air conditioning, doors, communication, and signaling information, are collected. URUK TRN Central Monitoring and Management System allows for the monitoring, tracking, and analysis of this data sent by the RMU.
With this system, AI-powered predictive maintenance outputs are used to identify faults and failures before they occur or escalate, helping increase train operational uptime, reduce maintenance durations, and lower maintenance and repair costs.
An Integrated Vision for the Future of Rail
Digitalization, automation and sustainability are reshaping the future of railway transportation. As urban rail networks continue to expand, operators increasingly seek partners capable of delivering integrated solutions rather than standalone products.
ASELSAN’s railway system portfolio reflects this evolving approach. By bringing together signaling, train management, traction technologies and onboard power systems within a unified engineering ecosystem, the company supports safer, smarter and more efficient railway operations.
At the same time, these technologies contribute to the development of a stronger domestic railway industry while meeting internationally recognized quality and safety standards. ASELSAN’s involvement in national railway programs demonstrates its commitment to supporting the localization of critical transportation technologies and strengthening long-term industrial capability.
Looking ahead, the future of rail transportation will depend on intelligent systems capable of connecting infrastructure, vehicles and operators into a single digital ecosystem. Through continuous investment in innovation and systems engineering, ASELSAN is helping shape that future, delivering technologies that not only move passengers safely and efficiently today but also prepare railway networks for the mobility challenges of tomorrow.
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