TÜBİTAK EDPOD

F-16 EDPOD (Electronic Support Pod) is a domestic and national tactical electronic warfare support pod developed by TÜBİTAK Information and Cyber Security Advanced Technologies Research Center (BİLGEM) and integrated into F-16 fighter aircraft. The system aims to enhance the awareness of airborne platforms against enemy radar systems by detecting and recording threats. Developed under the prime contractorship of TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, EDPOD has successfully passed flight tests against actual radar systems and has been incorporated into the inventory of the Air Forces Command.

EDPOD on an F-16 Aircraft (Anadolu Agency)

The F-16 EDPOD is a critical project developed in line with Türkiye’s defense industry objective of independence and serves as a key indicator of domestic and national capability in electronic warfare technologies. The work carried out by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM enhances operational effectiveness and represents a significant achievement for national security. All critical components of EDPOD have been developed domestically using indigenous capabilities within the Advanced Technologies Research Institute (İLTAREN) of TÜBİTAK BİLGEM. This eliminates reliance on similar foreign-origin systems, provides superior features compared to alternatives, reduces Türkiye’s dependency on external defense technologies, and establishes strategic competence in electronic warfare.

Technical Specifications

EDPOD is a radar signal detection pod capable of sensing signals emitted by enemy target detection, tracking, missile guidance, and target illumination radars. These signals are classified as environmental threats; the system detects, identifies, and records them as high-capacity raw data while enabling precise location determination.

EDPOD Features (TÜBİTAK BİLGEM)

EDPOD plays a critical role in post-mission analysis by detailed recording of radar contact information, position data, and signal signatures. Thanks to its data-sharing infrastructure, the acquired threat information can be shared in real time with other armed forces elements via designated data channels. EDPOD enables F-16 aircraft performing electronic support missions to operate more intelligently and effectively against environmental threats. Its pod-based structure allows for rapid integration onto aircraft and increases operational flexibility.