UAVS 1 of 27 DENEL DYNAMICS UAVS Denel Dynamics UAV Systems A local UAV solution for monitoring South Africa’s borders 9 March 2011
UAVS 2 of 27 Agenda Introduction to UAVS –The tools and capabilities available in SA –Imagery UAVS contribution to border safe-guarding –Persistent surveillance –Previous operations –Dissemination of information Conclusions –Why a UAV? –Why a local solution?
UAVS 3 of 27 What is UAVS? Part of Denel Dynamics Leading UAV System developer in SA –Since 1982 –Proven, international operational experience! –Innovative systems house, with ~85 personnel Composites facility Engine test facility Integration area Flight test range
UAVS 4 of 27 Where is UAVS? Centurion, Gauteng Denel Dynamics –National Key Point
UAVS 5 of 27 What does UAVS offer? Product range supports border safe-guarding –Skua, Missile test and evaluation –Seeker II, High-end tactical surveillance UAV Customisation to requirements Regular mid-life upgrades –Seeker 400, Large, tactical surveillance UAV Under full-scale development Modern, digital avionics & communications
UAVS 6 of 27 Seeker II UAS MCU FSG TCU UAVs
UAVS 7 of 27 The MCU Mission Control Unit
UAVS 8 of 27 The TCU Internal Rack Equipment Tracking & Communications Unit
UAVS 9 of 27 The FSG Field Support Group
UAVS 10 of 27 The Bus RPV-3A –280 kg –250 km –10 hrs All-composite airframe –Limbach 550cc fuel injected, 2-stroke engine
UAVS 11 of 27 Pax #1: The SCP Super Colour Payload –3-CCD colour camera –40x continuous zoom –Fixed mono camera –Laser range finder –Auto-tracker “Excellent stabilisation! Fantastic image quality!” – Chris, via
UAVS 12 of 27 Pax #2: The MSP Multiple Sensor Payload –Range of FLIR sensors –Colour camera –Laser range finder –Auto-tracker “A fantastically stabilised thermal imager with continuous zoom; Wow!” - Pete, Centurion
UAVS 13 of 27 Seeker 400 Bigger & better; with a bang for your buck! –Scaled up 30%, for 450kg take-off weight –10m wingspan –100kg multiple payload capability Seamless day/night Full HD video –16 hours endurance “Coming soon, to an operation near you!”
UAVS 14 of 27 In general, how can UAVS help? Persistence, persistence, persistence –Crew rotation is quick & easy! –Day-to-day persistence Border area surveillance –Gather operational intelligence –“Modus operandi” of illegal activities –“Look down” capability overcomes terrain masking Day and night operations, –Provide very effective “eyes” at night –Seeker 400 offers seamless day-night transition
UAVS 15 of 27 Focus on the fences Routine patrol of the fence line & in-depth area –UAVS offer rapid “eyes on target” in response to (fence) alarms –Tracking of illegal activity to identify Source High priority targets Heading / destination
UAVS 16 of 27 Previous border protection Sept 1994 –Mozambique Border –Komatiepoort Mar 1995 –Mozambique Border –Komatiepoort June 1998 –KZN Border –Ingwavuma
UAVS 17 of 27 Recent operations Source: Air Forces Monthly Magazine, July 2010
UAVS 18 of 27 What about the coastline? Proven performance – in court! –Abalone poaching in 2003 –Video chain of evidence
UAVS 19 of 27 Can UAVS deter piracy? YES, we can! –Subject to CONOPS & RoE
UAVS 20 of 27 Potential deployment locations 250 km Radius
UAVS 21 of 27 Can UAVS fly in the National Airspace? Been there, done that … –Election monitoring: 1994 –Many operations 2003 Moving forward … –Seeker 400 certification Loftus Versveld Pretoria CBD Kyalami Race TrackLanseria Airport
UAVS 22 of 27 Air communications links Air traffic control –ATC radio –Mode S transponder –IFF optional for military Airborne tactical FM radio Mobile video receiver with payload control Tactical data link –Ground and airborne users
UAVS 23 of 27 Ground communications links Satellite video & data distribution Tactical data link to ground users Local tactical FM radio Local air traffic AM radio Fibre optic relay Video relay Video relay link Portable Video Display
UAVS 24 of 27 Can I see what you can see? Dissemination of information –Commander in the GCS or TGS –Plug into the GCS Integration to JARIC (1990’s) –Real time command & control Integration with CSIR’s IDE underway –MRU for reaction force Continuous tracking of illegal activity while reaction force response is organized Mobile Receiver Unit
UAVS 25 of 27 Why UAVs? To support safe-guarding South Africa’s borders, UAVs offer: –Persistence –Weather tolerance Especially with SA’s excellent weather radar system –Excellent multispectral images New multimode radars offer promising results –Low operational costs –High mobility Few systems cover huge areas Rapid, focussed response possible
UAVS 26 of 27 Why local? Close co-operation with SANDF –Years of previous experience together –Partner for UAV solutions (national obligation) –High security ensured Local is ‘lekker’ –Developed, manufactured and supported locally Rapid response to requested product upgrades –Affordable solutions –No ITAR supply problems –Short logistic support lines
UAVS 27 of 27 Thank You!