Peter La Franchi/PRETORIA
Production decisions on the South African Army's Vulture artillery spotting unmanned air vehicle (UAV)have been pushed back until at least the end of 2001, with the trial programme extended to demonstrate new datalink and recovery systems.
The South African Army had planned a production decision for June-July this year. However, prime contractor Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE) and Armscor are instead to fund an enhancement programme derived from the proposed "Super Vulture" electronic intelligence UAV.
The enhancements include a new ground control station, adding electronic fuel injection to enable higher altitude operations and to extend endurance to 8h. The infrared/electro-optical (IR/EO) payload will be replaced with a Kentron Cumulous gyro-stabilised system. The new datalink will provide a transmission range of above 200km (110nm).
Proposed changes to the take-off and landing system include reducing the size of the compressed-air rail launcher and exploring rocket-assisted take-off and precision recovery using laser designation. The current aircraft recovery system uses a parachute.
With the precision system, ground controllers would laser designate the UAV and it would ride the beam down to an impact absorbent cell. ATE says that the landing system, coupled with rocket-assisted take-off, may pave the way for a shipborne maritime surveillance variant.
The enhancements are to be demonstrated to the army in October next year. ATE was awarded the Vulture development contract in 1995. An initial system, carrying a 30kg (66lb) IR/EO payload, was delivered to the army in June last year for a one-year trial.
The company has been pursuing orders for the 14h endurance Super Vulture in the Middle East over the past five years, but without success.
Source: Flight International
