Umkhonto missile
Encyclopedia : U : UM : UMK : Umkhonto missile
- This article is about the missile system. For other uses, see Umkhonto (disambiguation)
Overview
Designed for all-round defense against simultaneous air attacks from multiple targets, the Umkhonto-IR missile is the first vertically launched infrared-homing surface-to-air missile, also the first IR-homing missile to utilize lock-on-after-launch. Upon launch, the missile flies to a lock-on point, following on-board inertial navigation. Then the missile activate its two-colour IR-seeker (variant of U-Darter AAM's seeker) and lock-on. Target updates are received via datalink, enabling the missile counter evading maneuvers by the target(s). Umkhonto has a set of tail-mounted, aerodynamic control fins, as well as thrust vectoring vanes in the motor nozzle (similar to Denel's A-Darter AAM), allowing for 40 G manouvers. The system's 3-D fire control radar enable simultaneous engagement of eight targets for the naval version. The missile use a low-smoke producing propellant to avoid detection. In July 2005 it was successfully tested in various scenarious against Denel-made Skua drones. An extended range version (Umkhonto-NG) is rumoured to be in development. It will feature a rocket booster and a RF seeker head.Umkhonto-R
The radar-homing version differ in that it has and extended range (25 km, Umkhonto-IR 12 km) and higher operational altitude (12 km, Umkhonto-IR 10 km), it is also 65 kg heavier and 98 cm longer than the Umkhonto-IR version.Inventory
As of late 2005, Umkhonto-R has not attracted any buyers (was proposed to Chile in 2002). Umkhonto-IR was ordered by the Finnish Navy to arm its six Hamina class missile boats in 2002. The missile has also been selected by the South African Navy for its four Meko A-200 frigates. In 2004 Brazil expressed an interest in acquiring the missile system for its aircraft carrier Sao Paolo.See also
- Denel Aerospace Systems, the manufacturer
- Hamina class missile boat, Finnish Navy vessel armed with Umkhonto.
External links
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