South Africa's Denel Dynamics plans to conduct the first flight of its prototype Seeker 400 unmanned air vehicle (UAV) in the first quarter of 2012, having announced the completion of manufacturing activities.
Denel unveiled a mock-up of the Shadow 400 at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Show in Cape Town last year. It has self-funded development work on the tactical UAV, and could launch series production from late next year.
"There is already a launch customer for the Seeker 400 who operated the [Israel Aerospace Industries] Seeker I tactical UAV in the early 1990s," it said.
"Two other countries which currently operate the Seeker II are also interested, because the new aircraft can be controlled by using their existing control stations."
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© Denel Dynamics |
Denel has exhibited a model of the Seeker 400 carrying two Mokopa anti-tank missiles |
The Seeker 400 has a planned endurance of up to 16h carrying a twin payload, with line-of-sight operations possible over a range of 250km (135nm). The addition of a satellite communications fit would increase this to 750km, the manufacturer said.
The company recently displayed a model of the Seeker 400 with another growth option - two of its Mokopa anti-tank missiles.
"A number of countries have already expressed interest in an armed version of the UAV," it said.
The up to 10km-range Mokopa has previously been trialled using South African Air Force Rooivalk Mk 1 combat support helicopters.
Meanwhile, Denel said work on its Bateleur medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV has been placed on hold to enable it to complete development of the Seeker 400.
Source: Flight International
