Türkiye’s FNSS Unveils U-MAV, an Unmanned Amphibious Assault Vehicle Built for the First Wave FNSS’ new U-MAV combines autonomous operations, modular mission systems, AI-assisted targeting and sea-to-shore mobility as Türkiye pushes unmanned vehicles into the dangerous first wave of amphibious warfare. (DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkish armoured vehicle manufacturer FNSS has unveiled its U-MAV Multi-Purpose Modular Unmanned Amphibious Vehicle, introducing a heavy unmanned platform designed to take over some of the most dangerous tasks during the opening phase of amphibious assaults. The U-MAV was publicly unveiled at TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan 2026, hosted by the Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command in Kocaeli, Türkiye, from August 20 to 23. Designed as a next-generation unmanned amphibious manoeuvre platform, U-MAV is intended to operate ahead of crewed assault forces during the critical transition from sea to a defended shoreline. Its central concept is straightforward: place an unmanned vehicle in the first wave, expose the machine rather than Marines to hostile coastal defences, and allow operators to remain at a safer distance. The platform has been developed to operate alongside the Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV), also known as ZAHA, which is already in service with the Turkish Naval Forces Command. Under the manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) concept, U-MAV can make initial contact with hostile coastal defences before crewed MAV/ZAHA vehicles begin their approach to the beach. The vehicle can conduct missions ranging from mine and obstacle clearance to reconnaissance, fire support and electronic warfare, potentially reducing the exposure of personnel during the most dangerous phase of an amphibious landing. With a combat weight of approximately eight tonnes, U-MAV can move continuously from sea to shore, reaching a swimming speed of seven knots before accelerating to as much as 70km/h on land. A modular architecture allows its mission payload to be replaced in the field in approximately 40