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DENEL DYNAMICS UAVS

Denel Dynamics UAV SystemsA local UAV solution for monitoring

South Africa’s borders9 March 2011

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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?

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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

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Where is UAVS?

• Centurion, Gauteng

• Denel Dynamics– National Key Point

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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

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Seeker II UAS

MCU

FSG

TCU

UAVs

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The MCU

Mission Control Unit

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The TCU

Internal Rack Equipment

Tracking & Communications Unit

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The FSG

Field Support Group

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The Bus

• RPV-3A– 280 kg– 250 km– 10 hrs

• All-composite airframe– Limbach 550cc fuel injected, 2-stroke engine

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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 e-mail

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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

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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!”

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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

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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

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Previous border protection

• Sept 1994 – Mozambique Border– Komatiepoort

• Mar 1995 – Mozambique Border– Komatiepoort

• June 1998 – KZN Border– Ingwavuma

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Recent operations

Source:

Air Forces Monthly Magazine, July 2010

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What about the coastline?

• Proven performance – in court!– Abalone poaching in 2003– Video chain of evidence

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Can UAVS deter piracy?

• YES, we can!– Subject to CONOPS & RoE

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Potential deployment locations

250 kmRadius

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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

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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

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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 linkPortable Video Display

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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

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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

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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

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Thank You!