Denel has developed an updated version of its Seeker unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designed to provide greater range and endurance, as well as updating its payload. The first Seeker II is to fly early next year, with deliveries starting shortly after.
The Seeker II has digital avionics and systems in place of the earlier model's analogue equipment, says Mike Crause, manager UAVs, at Denel's Kentron division.
Although the airframe retains the same shape as the Seeker, the fuselage is wider, providing a larger fuel volume, increasing endurance by 2h to 10h. An improved communications link increases range from 200km (110nm) to 250km, giving the Seeker II 50% more time over a target at maximum range than its predecessor, says Crause.
A full mission planning system has also been developed and the man-machine interface has been improved.
While the daylight television camera is the same as the earlier system, Kentron's Kenis third-generation forward looking infrared has been added and a South African-developed electronic surveillance system is also available. The latter works in the 0.5-18GHz range and can detect radars at a range of 250km.
Kentron is planning other payloads for the Seeker, including synthetic aperture radar, laser designation and "probably electronic warfare sensors".
Crause says Denel has an overseas customer for the Seeker II and that the South African Air Force will also operate the type.
Source: Flight International
