Denel Dynamics Seeker

Last updated

Denel Dynamics Seeker
A Seeker 400 drone flies over Cape Town Stadium
General information
TypeRemote piloted aircraft, UAV/UAS
Manufacturer Denel Dynamics
StatusIn service South African Air Force, South African National Defence Force (Seeker 400 variant) in service with other organizations.
Primary users Denel Dynamics on behalf of the South African Air Force, South African National Parks, South African National Defence Force (leased by Denel Dynamics)
History
Introduction date1986 (South African Air Force)

The Denel Dynamics Seeker is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured in South Africa by Denel Dynamics (formerly Kentron). The system is designed to perform tactical reconnaissance in real time and can conduct day and night surveillance in all threat environments.

Contents

History

The insignia of 10 Squadron SAAF depicting the UAV, which it used in the waning days of the South African Border War 10squadronSAAF insignia.jpg
The insignia of 10 Squadron SAAF depicting the UAV, which it used in the waning days of the South African Border War

The Seeker UAV first saw active service with the South African Air Force (SAAF) and equipped 10 Squadron SAAF which was based at Air Force Base Potchefstroom. It first saw use during Operations Modular, Hooper and Packer in Angola during 1987/1988 and was used in order to provide reconnaissance and artillery weapons delivery guidance for the South African Defence Force during the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, the last battle of the South African Border War. The UAVs also conducted several surveillance operations to gather intelligence on enemy locations, movements, their force strength and most importantly intelligence on the location of static and mobile surface-to-air missile systems. This information was then dissected by the SAAF intelligence community to plan air strikes, interception routes as well as mission briefings to keep friendly aircraft out of harm's way. [1]

Hostile Angolan (FAPLA) forces as well as their Cuban allies were forced to fire their expensive 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) in an attempt to down these small drones. This also indirectly resulted in depleting the enemy's SAM supplies which led to less risky operations by other combat aircraft in the SAAF. During one reported occasion about 17 SA-8 SAMs were fired at a single UAV, eventually downing it. During the span of the deployment only three UAVs were lost. [1]

The short-lived squadron ceased UAV operations in November 1990 after the cessation of hostilities and was disbanded on 31 March 1991, and the Seeker UAV was withdrawn from SAAF service. The Seeker system was operated by Kentron (renamed in 1991 to Denel Dynamics) thereafter for operational control and deployment on behalf of the South African Defence Force and its successor the South African National Defence Force (after 1994). Two models were utilized, the Seeker-P model that was used for training purposes and the Seeker-D which was deployed operationally. [2] [3]

Over the next five years the UAV remained in service via Denel Dynamics and supported the South African National Defence Force during internal security operations in South Africa such as to monitor the country's first fully democratic elections in 1994. [4] It was also mainly flown in support of the South African Police Service (SAPS) as well as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (in particular the Marine and Coastal Management branch). These deployments would usually last about two weeks in the operational vicinities of crime "hotspots" to assist the SAPS (usually in the Gauteng area). The system also patrolled areas in the Western Cape usually in support of the SAPS and the Marine and Coastal Management branch. [1]

Variants

Seeker 1

This variant was the variant used during the South African Border War. It usually carried one of two mission payloads:

Seeker 2

The current baseline standard of the Seeker system in operation with Denel Dynamics and offered for export. It uses an open-architecture Ground Control Station (GCS) and employs colour displays, computerised workstations and electronic maps. A smaller Tactical Ground Control station is a new addition to the system and can be utilised to perform the same function as the GCS and it can interface with radio and satellite networks.

The UAV can operate 250 km from the control station at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet (6,100 m) and employs an array of various day and night time sensors and electronic surveillance payloads. The UAV also features digital avionics and several autonomous flight modes. [5]

In recent years this system has undergone further upgrades and is designated as the Seeker 2+. Communication links are now standard and of a modular design. One mission control unit can now operate four to six UAVs simultaneously. These models feature an all-composite, low-drag airframe in order to ensure optimal performance in the operational area. The UAV can operate for up to 10 hours up to a service ceiling of 18,000 feet (5,500 m) with a full payload of 40 kg of equipment. On-board directional antennas also provide high jamming resistance and allow real time communication. A Tracking and Communications Unit (TCU) can now be utilised to enable optimum line-of-sight communication with the UAV. Sensor packages include:

Seeker 400

The newest Seeker variant under development at Denel Dynamics offers enhanced situational awareness capabilities and other improvements over the Seeker 2. It can provide real-time day and night reconnaissance; target location, surveillance and designation; artillery fire support; Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and conduct border and maritime patrol missions. New additions include the capability of carrying weapons such as the laser guided missile with a missile stand-off range of 10 km. It can also operate up to 16 hours with a maximum of 100 kg of multi-mission payloads. It also features dual uplinks and downlinks, brake-assisted ground operation, piloted and autonomous flight capability, VHF and UHF FM tactical radios and Mode S Transponder and VHF AM Air Traffic Control (ATC) radio for ATC interfacing. The mission control units remain relatively the same as the Seeker 2s with modular hardware and software.

The system includes the capability of carrying dual imaging payloads with the images being transmitted to the ground control station via the dual video downlinks. Electro-optical sensor payloads with diameters of up to 530 mm can be integrated for use. This typically includes the following sensor combinations on a gimbal:

Current use

During the 2010 African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition the manufacturer unveiled a new light air to ground missile, the Denel Dynamics Impi that is being developed to arm the Seeker 400, the current production version. A mockup of the missile was displayed fitted to an example of the UAV. [6]

Since December 2012, Denel Dynamics has a Seeker II UAV deployed against rhinoceros poachers in Kruger National Park. The UAV operates at night-time with its thermal and other specialist equipment supplying real-time imagery to assist patrols on the ground (daytime surveillance is conducted with SANParks fixed and rotary-winged aircraft supported by SA Air Force helicopters and an Aérospatiale Gazelle owned by the Paramount Group). [7]

Users

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denel Rooivalk</span> Attack helicopter by Atlas Aircraft Corporation, later Denel Aviation

The Denel Rooivalk is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for "Red Falcon", which refers to the lesser kestrel. Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, both aircraft being based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started development at the same time.

Valour-class frigate South African navy frigates

The Valour class is a class of frigates built for the South African Navy. Part of the MEKO family of warships, the German shipbuilder Blohm+Voss officially designate the class as the MEKO A-200SAN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas Cheetah</span> South African fighter aircraft

The Atlas Cheetah is a South African fighter aircraft designed and produced by the aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation. It was primarily designed and developed to be operated by the South African Air Force (SAAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denel Dynamics Bateleur</span>

The Bateleur is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype designed and built by Denel Dynamics. It has been designed as a MALE UAV, with its primary role being surveillance, with a secondary signals intelligence capability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African National Defence Force</span> Military of South Africa

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The commander of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans of the Defence Department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mokopa</span> South African air-to-surface missile

The ZT-6 Mokopa is a South African air-to-ground anti-tank guided missile. As of 2005, it is in its final stages of development, and is being integrated onto the South African Air Force's Rooivalk attack helicopters. The missile is produced by Denel Dynamics, formerly Kentron. The current version uses semi-active laser (SAL) guidance, requiring the target to be illuminated by a laser designator either on the launch platform or elsewhere; though there are alternative guidance packages available including a millimetre-wave radar (MMW) seeker and a two-colour imaging infrared (IIR) seeker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umkhonto (missile)</span> Short to medium range surface-to-air missile

The Umkhonto is a family of vertical-launched, surface-to-air missiles developed by Denel Dynamics. Umkhonto is designed to be a modern, short to medium-range missile, with an all-weather launch capability. Operating at supersonic speeds, the Umkhonto utilises infrared homing technology to provide point and limited local air defence against multiple attacks of aircraft and missiles.

The usefulness of UAVs for aerial reconnaissance was demonstrated to the United States in the Vietnam War. At the same time, early steps were being taken to use them in active combat at sea and on land, but unmanned combat aerial vehicles would not come into their own until the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper</span> American unmanned aerial vehicle

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred to as Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the USAF to indicate ground control by humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZT3 Ingwe</span> Anti-tank guided missile

The ZT3 Ingwe (Leopard) is a modern South African multi-role laser beam riding anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) manufactured by Denel Dynamics.

Denel Aeronautics is the aviation and aerospace division of the state-owned Denel corporation of South Africa. It is one of the successors of the South African aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation.

The V3E A-Darter is a modern short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, featuring countermeasures resistance with a 180-degree look angle and 120-degrees per second track rate, developed by South Africa's Denel Dynamics and Brazil's Mectron, Avibras and Opto Eletrônica. It will equip the South African Air Force's Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D and BAE Hawk 120, and the Brazilian Air Force's A-1M AMX, Northrop F-5BR and Gripen E/F. It was expected to be in production before the end of 2015. As of November 2022, no combat capable missiles had been produced.

The R-Darter is a beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile guided by an active radar homing seeker. It was designed and manufactured by the South African firm Kentron, now known as Denel Dynamics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TAI Anka</span> Unmanned aerial vehicles

The TAI Anka is a family of unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries primarily for the Turkish Air Force. Envisioned in the early 2000s for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance missions, Anka has evolved into a modular platform with synthetic-aperture radar, precise weapons and satellite communication.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selex ES Falco</span> Type of aircraft

The Falco is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed and produced by Selex ES. The UAV is designed to be a medium-altitude, medium-endurance surveillance platform capable of carrying a range of payloads, including several types of high-resolution sensors. A larger variant, the Falco EVO, is capable of carrying larger payloads is also available. Neither system is designed to carry weapons, The launch customer, Pakistan, reportedly wanted the Falco armed, a request that Italy rejected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denel Dynamics Umbani</span> South African precision-guided bomb kit

The Umbani is a precision-guided bomb kit manufactured by Denel Dynamics in South Africa. It consists of a number of modules fitted to NATO standard Mk81, Mk82 or Mk83 low drag free-fall bombs to convert them into guided glide bombs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denel Dynamics Skua</span> Turbojet target UAV

The Denel Dynamics Skua is a turbojet-engined target drone used to simulate fast-moving attack aircraft during surface-to-air and air-to-air training exercises and weapons tests. It is manufactured by the Denel Dynamics division of the South African state-owned Denel aerospace and defence conglomerate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raytheon Coyote</span> Type of aircraft

The Raytheon Coyote is a small, expendable, unmanned aircraft system built by the Raytheon Company, with the capability of operating in autonomous swarms. It is launched from a sonobuoy canister with the wings deploying in early flight phase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GIDS Shahpar-II</span> Pakistani unmanned combat aerial vehicle

The Shahpar-ll is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) built by Global Industrial Defence Solutions of Pakistan. It is currently in production following the completion of a test and qualification phase.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wingrin, Dean. "Seeker 1". saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  2. Major Michael F. Morris (27 January 2003). "Fighting Columns in Small Wars: An OMFTS Model" (PDF). United States Marine Corps. p. 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2004.
  3. "The South African Air Force". Saairforce.co.za.
  4. "Flying unpiloted in the conflict zone and into civilian territory" (PDF). Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  5. "South Africa: Vulture and Bateleur programmes build on rich UAV tradition". UAV Systems - The Global Perspective 2005 (PDF). uvs-info.com. pp. 124–126. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  6. Leon Engelbrecht (24 September 2010). "Denel unveils armed Seeker, Impi missile". DefenceWeb.
  7. Shaun Smillie (13 December 2012). "Rhino Alive drive hopes to curb poaching - The Star". IOL.co.za.
  8. "New UAV orders for Denel Dynamics". defenceWeb. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database". SIPRI. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.