Umkhonto (missile)

Umkhonto ( Zulu spear ) is a vertically launched air defense missile of the South African manufacturer Denel Aerospace Systems.

Development

Mid -1990s they began at Denel with the development of a family of anti-aircraft missiles. Under the name SAHV three missile types have been developed with different search heads. Finally, we focused on two types: Radar- guided ( Umkhonto -R) and the IR-guided variant ( Umkhonto -IR). The first flight of an Umkhonto -IR took place in 2005. The execution of Umkhonto -R is still in development. Another variant called Umkhonto -NG is currently being developed; they should increase by a booster the range to up to 25 km. The whole system is modular and can be installed both on ships and on vehicles.

Application profile

The Umkhonto -IR is working with a surveillance radar. An actual fire control is not required. The surveillance radar provides the missile before the start of target data. During the march the flight the missile will continue to be supplied with data of surveillance equipment. The control is carried out here by means of an inertial navigation system. For the target approach the guided missile 's IR seeker head is used. If the destination directly hit, the warhead by the impact fuze is detonated. In a flyby of the warhead ignition is effected by the proximity fuze.

Technology

The weapon is used both on land and at sea-launched and started doing vertical. The steering is done via steering fins at the rear and a swiveling nozzle. You can perform maneuvers with a radial acceleration of up to 40g.

The infrared seeker was developed from the developed by Denel air - to-air missile U- Darter and can recognize the IR signature of a target from any direction.

The fire control system of the naval version is able to control up to eight Umkhonto missiles simultaneously and independently on eight goals. With the execution of the country's armed forces can be controlled at the same time four goals. It helps to fight anti-ship missiles airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles and low-flying ( Seaskimmer ).

Operator

Currently, the Umkhonto system of the South African Navy is used on the frigates of the Valour class, which are equipped with two eight-way starters for the rocket. Next use the South African army, a land-based version, a missile battery from four starters, a surveillance radar and a command post there.

First export customer is the Finnish Navy, each has installed a system with eight cells for missiles at their mine -layers of Hämeenmaa class and the corvettes of the Hamina class. Furthermore, the use is planned for the hovercraft to the Tuuli class.

Next interested are the naval forces of Sweden, Brazil, Australia and India.