Electronics is very important to all of the local defence industry, but probably Denel Kentron is where it is most core to the company’s product range, which includes a large number of missiles (many with electro-optical seeker heads), inertial measurement systems, infrared imagers, unmanned aerial vehicles and electro-optical observation and sighting systems.
Kentron is also the division of Denel that provides hands-on in-house electronic training where it services its own and other Denel company needs, while providing external training for companies such as ATE and the SABC. The Kentron name has now been changed to Denel Aerospace Systems with effect from 1 April 2004.
Kentron was founded in 1978, with the original personnel, many of whom still remain, being transferred from the CSIR's National Institute for Defence Research (NIDR). The NIDR had been active for many years in missile and airframe development and the new company was needed to turn scientific ideas into manufactured and qualified products.
Denel Aerospace Systems today has a wide range of radar and electro-optically guided missiles in production or in development. This includes the Darter range of air to air missiles, the Mokopa and Ingwe long range anti-armour missiles and the Umkhonto vertically-launched surface to air missile. The Umkhonto was selected for South Africa's new corvettes but the export potential of this advanced missile is reflected in the fact that the Finnish Navy has also selected the system to equip six vessels of its Squadron 2000 project. In the face of strong international competition, this success bodes well for Denel Aerospace Systems and one hopes that rumours of potential sales to South American countries also turn into reality.
Denel Aerospace Systems currently has three operating divisions, these being 'Cumulus' (observation, sighting systems and inertial systems), 'UAVS' (unmanned aerial vehicle systems) and 'Dynamics' (missiles, stand off weapons, IR cameras and the Arachnida weapon management system). In terms of electro-optical observation and sighting systems there are three core product families, Goshawk, LEO and Argos, the applications being respectively in UAVS (such as Denel Aerospace Systems' Seeker), civilian law enforcement and military applications.
The Argos family provides targeting solutions for airborne, land and naval applications. Weapon systems can be slaved to the device where required. The Argos-410-A4 system (released in 2003) will be integrated onto the Augusta A109 helicopters being procured for the SAAF while the Royal Air Force recently selected the Argos-410-A5 for its fleet of Sea King helicopters which are used for maritime patrol and search and rescue.
The LEO airborne observation system is widely used worldwide by law enforcement agencies and for search and rescue operations. The original version was upgraded to the LEO-II and with prior exports of more than R40 million. Financial assistance was provided by the DTI through the IDC. In August 2001 the Minister of Trade and Industry presented Cumulus with the award for the 'most innovative' product of the year for its successful development. The LEO system can be complemented with the Scout helmet system which is a civilian adaptation of the Guardian military pilot helmet. Using the Scout, the head movement of the wearer is automatically followed by the LEO system, which speeds up reaction time. More recently (2003) the LEO was further enhanced with a novel multispectral Spotter TV camera, designed and manufactured locally with the involvement of Klee Optical Systems and Pretoria-based Optocon. LEO is currently in service in 35 countries worldwide.
Denel Aerospace Systems has developed a number of inertial measurement and navigation systems and still manufactures gyroscopes that are used by itself and other local defence system integrators. At the forefront in helmet tracking systems for pilots, the company's Archer system is a military version and can be used for example to designate a target for an air to air missile. Besides being adopted for use on the SAAF Gripen it will also provide this system for export versions of the Gripen. In a major coup in late 2003 the company was selected to develop and supply a state-of-the-art helmet tracking system for the Eurofighter-Typhoon. It is expected that deliveries of this aircraft will exceed 600 units and it will be supplying its first production units this year.
Finally, mention must be made of the Kenis family of advanced thermal imaging cameras that operate in the 3 to 5 µm band making use of a CMT focal plane array. This band in the infrared, often ignored by overseas competitors, has proved to be ideal for long range surveillance in hot and humid conditions as well as in colder climates. Denel Aerospace Systems offers a range of Kenis products that are suitable for aerial, naval and ground forces applications.
In terms of its electronic capability Denel Aerospace Systems lists electronic design which includes RF electronics (radar, microwave, communications and telemetry systems, proximity fuses and attitude sensors), digital signal processing (auto-trackers, video signal processing, embedded software development etc) and power electronics (switch-mode power supplies, missile and UAV power systems etc). To this must be added, its electro-optical design capability and the extensive in-house software development competence of the company.
This series looks at some of the leading companies in the electronics industry in South Africa today. To simplify presentation and avoid perceptions that they are being 'rated' in any way, this coverage is being presented in alphabetical order. Do not miss the next issue of Dataweek where we look at a South African company that is a world-leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of keypad-based prepayment metering technology.
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