₦airaland Forum

Odunayaw, I can't remember with whom you were discussing this drone on the other thread?
Makes sense that they're for the Nigerian Police Force.

Nigeria acquires Songar armed drones from Turkey as UAV fleet grows

The Nigerian Police Force has taken delivery of a small batch of Songar armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey’s Asisguard, while larger UAVs are entering Nigerian military service.

Asisguard said the Songar deliveries were concluded on 15 September, but did not reveal further details. In May it was reported by Africa Intelligence that Nigeria had ordered ten Songars.

It is believed the contract was signed in 2021, as Asisguard last year announced contracts had been signed with two African countries and negotiations were underway with a third.

Unveiled in 2019, the Songar multicopter can be fitted with a machinegun, 40 mm grenade launcher or 81 mm mortar. It can also be fitted with a day/night camera gimbal and laser range finder. An electronic sight and ballistic calculation module assists with weapon deployment and recoil management. If using a 5.56 mm assault rifle, the Songar can carry 200 rounds of ammunition and hit a 15 square centimetre target from 200 metres away with single shots, 15-round bursts or fully automatic fire. When carrying a grenade launcher, four rounds can be fired.

The 25 kg drones use a four-armed carbon body design with two coaxially mounted propellers on each arm. A weapon is fitted to a tilting mount, allowing a remote operator to aim it. Flight time is up to 25 minutes for the gun-equipped version and 15 minutes for the grenade launcher version.

The Nigerian police are expected to use the Songar against armed gangs and bandits, which have recently caused havoc in several states.

The Nigerian Police Force has also recently taken delivery of ALTI Transition UAVs from South Africa, and Elistair Orion fixed-wing aircraft from France.

More recent UAV deliveries to Nigeria include at least four AR-500B shipborne unmanned helicopters from China. It is not yet clear if these will be used aboard Nigerian Navy vessels or from land bases. Photos emerged in September of four AR-500Bs in Nigerian Navy markings.

The AR-500B, developed specifically for shipborne operations by state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), first flew in late 2020. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 500 kilograms, a mission payload of 70 kilograms, a maximum endurance of four hours, an operational radius of 100 kilometres and a ceiling of 4 000 meters. It can fly at a cruise speed of 120 km/h.

Nigeria’s military is also getting Bayraktar TB2 UAVs from Turkey – it has been reported that Nigeria ordered six UAVs and two ground stations. Photos posted online in September showed several of the UAVs on the Baykar factory floor in Nigerian markings.

Nigeria joins a rapidly growing list of Bayraktar TB2 operators in Africa. One of the most recent customers is Djibouti, which revealed its TB2s in June, while Niger received six in May after a November 2021 order for the type.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/nigeria-acquires-songar-armed-drones-from-turkey-as-uav-fleet-grows/

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LESOTHO DEFENCE FORCE AIRBORNE ACQUIRES MORE SKILLS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Mojalefa Letsoela awarded Lesotho Defence Force Paratroopers badges, trophies and certificates at the Ratjomose Barracks after the completion of training on Drop Zone, Jump Master, Instructors and Riggers on the 13 July 2022.
When delivering his remarks, the CDS expressed his satisfaction on the manner in which the course was conducted by the professional jumpers from South Africa.
“I feel privileged that you have undergone this type of course which will develop the LDF Paratroopers career,” stated the CDS emphasising the importance of more training even after the course has come to an end.
The CDS extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Chute Systems South Africa, the Company that conducted the course. He looked forward to working together with the Company in future as they have shown support to the LDF since 2008.
On his part, the Commanding Officer Special Forces Commando Lieutenant Colonel (Cdo Lt Col) Tefo Ramosie extended his thanks to the CDS for the opportunity his unit was awarded.
“I thank the LDF Command for giving us an opportunity to be equipped with more skills in jumping. The skills acquired from the course will be profitable to the LDF tasks,” said Cdo Lt Col Ramosie.
In his remarks, the Chief Instructor Mr Waldo Grable stated that the Airborne Training Program started on the 20 June 2022 until 13 July 2022. The package of the course included: Basic Free Falling Instructor’s Course, Free Fall Jump Master’s Course, Free Fall Drop Zone Safety Officer’s Course and Free fall Reserve Parachute Rigger’s Course. Due to Logistical challenges they managed to make only 100 Free Fall Jumps but everything went 100% well without casualties.
News by: Pvt ’Mofu
Photos by: Pvt Litabe
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jl115:
I thought you guys were talking about his post wrt Nigerian Airforce procurement?

Nope. Obi's manifesto is the one with the potential to really stink up the thread.

GreenandGold:
Honestly, this is what a man should wear everyday to work

I hope dude has veldskoene on!

Stargate254:
Just b4 that, he had threatened to invading Kenya but changed his mind, Don't know about other factors that led to rescinding the decision but one major one that isn't even about military strength - was relevant then and is still very much relevant today...

More than 70% of her imports and 95% of her refined oil imports pass through Kenya.

I would amend the bolded somewhat. The economy and how it is structured has an immense bearing on military strength.

Odunayaw:

Faithful007:
How exactly do you think you can explain away the fact that your initial statement was intended to disparage. Calling me naive and a university student. Is that how to point out an issue?

So your naivete and superficial analysis is not just due to you being a university student?
Bully for you!

kikuyu1, ntsa and the other Kenyans: What's the latest on Jane Mugo?
And is the private investigations world in Nairobi still the unregulated wild west?

Was tidying up my documentaries folder and came across this again.

Of interest to Air Forces flying the C130H variant.

US Air Force Grounds C-130Hs to Examine Propeller Barrel Cracks

More than 100 of the Air Force's C-130 Hercules have stopped flying after the service discovered a crack in a part that holds the propeller and ordered the aircraft to be grounded last week, officials said.

In total, 116 C-130Hs could be affected by the issue, Air Mobility Command spokeswoman Marie Ortiz told Military.com on Tuesday. The issue was first discovered at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.

"During a post-depot operation engine run check at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, the maintenance crew encountered a persistent leak on one of their C-130H propellers," Ortiz said in an emailed statement. "When the propeller assembly was removed and turned into the WR-ALC Prop Shop, a technician noted a crack in the propeller barrel assembly."

Additional inspections showed that two other propeller assemblies also had cracks. This led to the service issuing widespread, one-time mandated inspections on certain C-130H aircraft.

It's not yet clear how long it will take Air Mobility Command to replace the propeller assemblies on the affected C-130Hs.

Similar issues have popped up for the C-130Hs in the past. More than 100 of the cargo aircraft were temporarily removed from service after wing cracks were discovered during routine maintenance in August 2019, Military.com previously reported.

Earlier in 2019, 60 C-130H Hercules aircraft were taken out of service to examine and replace engine propeller blades that inspectors deemed risky because the blades were manufactured before 1971.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/10/04/air-force-grounds-c-130hs-examine-propeller-barrel-cracks.html

The last time a Ugandan leader challenged one of her neighbours to the east, it didn't end well. Young Muhoozi should ask his father, as M7 was a direct beneficiary.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda%E2%80%93Tanzania_War

Stargate254:
The cartoon illustration summarises it all.


Anyway, His father had to step in for his son's rants

What a family!

Hensoldt South Africa introduces new radar electronic surveillance solution

Hensoldt South Africa has introduced its new RES9000 radar electronic surveillance solution for the detection, location and analysis of modern radar emitters.

The RES9000 from the company’s GEW business unit was launched at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition on 22 September, and complements the company’s extensive tactical electronic warfare portfolio.

The RES9000’s objective is the interception of modern radar signals for precision direction finding (DF), tactical visualisation of gathered emitter information, emitter classification and matching of intercepted emissions to an emitter library, and reporting and tracking of radar threats in the 0.5 GHz to 40 GHz frequency range, GEW explained.

Artificial intelligence is used to match signals to a user-populated threat library. Electronic intelligence (ELINT) processing and analysis is available with the addition of analysis software.

“Collected information on surface-based and airborne search and targeting radars can now be fused together with intercepted electronic communications information to provide a collated and concise overview of the electronic order-of-battle (EOB) to battlefield commanders for decisive operational command and control”, said Wimpie van den Berg, Portfolio Management Executive of GEW.

“Being well known in the spectrum dominance field, GEW has recognized the boundaries between the communications domain and the radar domain are fusing and our customers no longer focus on each domain separately. We have invested heavily over the past few years in the development of a modern and compact radar electronic surveillance solution closely integrated with our tactical EW systems to create a complete electromagnetic intelligence solution, which we believe will offer significant value to our customers in dealing with their electromagnetic threats,” said Christo Fouché, the Chief Executive Sales and Marketing of GEW.

“GEW is well-known in the field of spectrum dominance for its specialisation in communications intelligence and jamming solutions. However, we recognised that with the continuous evolvement of technologies in the communications domain and in the radar domain, the lines in the spectrum between the two domains are becoming blurred and our customers can no longer focus on each domain separately. We want to provide our customers with the ability to see a total electromagnetic intelligence picture that fully integrates intelligence of communications and of radar threats. So we have invested heavily over the last few years in the expansion of our capabilities with the development of a modern and compact Radar ES solution, closely integrated in our tactical EW systems, which we believe will offer significant value to our customers in dealing with their electromagnetic threats,” he concluded.

Long history, wide portfolio

GEW is one of the leading players in the spectrum dominance industry in South Africa, having been active in the COMINT (communications intelligence) field since the 1960s. The company develops and manufactures strategic, semi-mobile and tactical systems, as well as airborne and ship-mounted systems, some of which include sophisticated electronic attack capability in addition to search, direction-finding and basic jamming capability. GEW’s signal intelligence and spectrum monitoring systems have been sold and are in operation in more than 30 countries worldwide, including with the South African Air Force, Army and Navy, and the spectrum regulatory body ICASA.

A more recent development has been jamming systems to protect fixed targets, convoys, individual vehicles and foot patrols (manpack system) against remotely controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIEDs), such as the roadside bombs encountered in Afghanistan and Iraq. GEW recently launched two new jammers: the GRJ8500 and GRJ6000 jammers covering the V/U/SHF and HF frequencies. The two new jammers join the existing GMJ9 multirole jammer, and GMJ900 and GMJ9000 man-portable multirole jammers. The GMJ9 has been designed for counter-remotely controlled improvised explosive device and tactical communications jamming and is ideal for convoy protection. The GMJ900 specialised jammer system is specifically designed to counter new-generation targets, such as cellular networks, satellite phones, commercial drones, GNSS and Wi-Fi.

GEW is also active in the fields of airspace surveillance and security systems, particularly perimeter and border fencing systems with integrated alerting systems to localise a breach. Such systems have been successfully used to counter wildlife poaching, amongst others.

Hensoldt South Africa/GEW is increasing its involvement in the radar, data link, identification friend or foe (IFF), customer services and business development fields, among many others, and this has been helped by the recent acquisition of Tellumat’s air traffic management and defence business units, which now form part of the company’s new Radar Business Unit. This offers 3D radar, synthetic aperture radar, radar for counter-UAV operations and passive radar. One of the biggest radar projects in South Africa in recent years is Hensoldt South Africa’s Quadome dual-mode, three-dimensional (3D), multi-mission naval radar for air and surface surveillance as well as target acquisition. It was launched in 2021 and the land version in September this year.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/hensoldt-south-africa-introduces-new-radar-electronic-surveillance-solution/

Rapid Mobile releases new naval communications technology

Rapid Mobile, the Pretoria based designer and manufacturer of advanced military communications technology, recently launched a new naval solution at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show at Waterkloof Air Force base in Pretoria.

The RapidM Multi-Gateway capability was launched at the show (21-25 September), just weeks after its trials in South-East Asia. It is aimed at enhancing shore-to-ship and ship-to shore communications to ensure reliable and continuous high frequency communications. One of the system’s use cases is for joint force operations with a naval component.

Karel Koster, RapidM’s Tactical Product Leader, said the Multi-Gateway routing capability is a game changer for high-frequency networks in allowing existing transmit and receive stations to be connected and opens options for lower cost solutions. Due to interference, legacy systems often require a distance between receive and transmit stations. The Multi-Gateway solution allows messages and data to be routed through multiple possible shore stations and ensures improved connectivity, redundancy, as well as compression of messages, and prioritisation of messages.

While high frequency radio networks are widely used by militaries around the world, they can be unreliable because the ionosphere, upon which the waves from these transmissions bounce back to earth, change in its characteristics with the time of day due to changes in the sun. The Multi-Gateway solution allows different frequencies to be automatically tested and remembered.

Previously RapidM’s solutions had only a single gateway which allowed a radio network to connect via an internet protocol. The new capability allows high frequency radio voice, internet, transmission, and receiving gateways to operate off one system allowing substantial cost savings, said Koster. Older systems for high frequency transmission and receiving would have to be separated because of problems with interference.

Another attribute of the system is that it can remember which frequencies have been previously used for a specific connection and which have achieved the highest quality. One use case would be for the system to be placed in naval shore stations for both communication with ships and with other stations. A network using this solution can allow for transmissions to be re-broadcast from station to station.

Rapid Mobile also launched the RM10 Wideband Software Defined Modem with an Automatic Link Establishment capability at AAD 2022. While this product and the RC10 ARQ Server and IP Controller have been launched abroad and have NATO stock numbers indicating conformity to the alliance’s standards, the Africa launch of these products took place at AAD.

Koster said the RM10 addresses the need for higher speeds in data communications over wideband channels in the HF, VHF, and UHF bands. The RM10 design allows operation on crowded ship platforms where space and power consumption are paramount. Together with the companion product to the RM10, the RC10 allows broadcast chat and messaging, and email communications over long ranges at high speeds over a radio network.

Rapid Mobile supplies communications technology, particularly in the field of HF and V/UHF radios. It has a range of HF/VHF modems, software and voice encryption solutions. Adding RapidM’s software-defined modem technology, radios can provide encrypted digital voice communication, secure transmission of digital text, messages, SMS and e-mail, and gateways to link HF/VHF radio networks to intranets, Internet and GSM networks. Another of its products is its CommandPoint battle management system, which has been sold to forces in South East Asia, Australia and NATO. Since inception in 2001 the company has supplied naval, tactical and government communications solutions to customers in 45 countries.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/rapid-mobile-releases-new-naval-communications-technology/

Exnavyboy62:
Is there any way this honest briefing can get to the Ramaphosa administration cause we are coming for Pretoria first. Saffers should not feel relaxed or think we have forgotten our invasion plans.
@Lurker4Long, @J115 hope you've made preparations to relocate to Madagascar. Infact we are also coming for Madagascar so "Way and Manner you thin out to Australia, just don't let us catch you when the kasala will burst.

Just when I'm starting to relax, you again!

Faithful007:
This long convo can be saved if you actually point out the wrong statements I made.

This is your conceptual problem: superficial analysis does not mean wrong. I could even agree with the thrust of your argument, whilst still pointing out that your analysis is superficial.
Instead of assuming you knew which issue I thought you'd treated superficially, you should have asked which issue and how your analysis was superficial.
Now I understand the defensiveness: you heard "wrong".

Faithful007:
It is a very simple statement. If i said " Cyril Ramaphosa is the President of South Africa" will you need further explanation?

The statement is clear. And please face what I said and stop making all these silly statements like "youth exuberance" and "university student". It's not necessary and its becoming annoying.

You do understand the difference between fact and analysis, right?

Faithful007:
I have said a lot of positive things about SA. I guess I wasn't naive then. But the very first negative truth about SA coming from me, you call it superficial and naive. I guess I was superficial too when I said SA had the best universities or a pretty advanced military industry.

That's who I am. I don't lie to myself to feel good or lie to others to make them feel good. I don't live in a national bubble or encourage others to do so. I see/state things how they are. SA is the most economically unequal country in the world and that my brother is a FACT. Sorry if that offends you.

If you think the statements I made are wrong, bring your arguments, but don't cowardly try to attack me instead. Argue directly.

You could have just asked which of the many discussions you've had here did I find superficially analysed.
Saved yourself the time and effort writing the above epistle.
But it's ok, youthful exuberance and all that.

[quote author=Nemesis4you post=117243244][/quote]The naivete is charming; that and the superficial analysis leads me to conclude a university student.

Faithful007:
The ATLAS telescope was the main tracking telescope for the program.

Did anybody say it wasn't?
That's why the system comprises 2 telescopes in the northern hemisphere in Hawaii and 2 in the south in Chile and SA.

Nemesis4you:
Not the telescope posts incase u miss identified

Anyways what happened to the square kilometer array SKA project ?

SKA 1 complete, with SKA2 scheduled for completion in 2027.
They've started using a fraction of the capabilities.

Nemesis4you:
Wow at the inferiority complex on display

Can't believe my eyes
and can't believe no one countered it till now

Faithful007:
The telescope was built around January by NASA. It is operated by the University of Hawaii as part of their ATLAS network.

BTW, I find it strange that your first question is "are the telescopes government controlled?". If it is American paranoia, then you are taking it to unnecessary levels. There are many science projects going on in the US by foreign universities. No one asks if they are government controlled. Meanwhile the US and SA have stable relationships and also SA's tertiary education and research is arguably the best in Africa. It was built somewhere called Sutherland, Northern Cape, SA.

I don't think NASA built any telescope in Kenya.

The government-controlled South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) also used it's own telescope, in addition to NASA's ATLAS.
I presumed Tinfoil was asking about that, specifically.

Last night, Nicolas Erasmus (SAAO) and Amanda Sickafoose (@planetarysci) successfully observed DART's impact with Dimorphos using the Mookodi instrument on the SAAO's 1-m Lesedi telescope.@fallingstarIfA also did a very similar measurement using ATLAS-Sutherland.#DART #NASA pic.twitter.com/olr4gV5SOV

— NRF|SAAO (@SAAO) September 27, 2022

Tinfoil:
Question for those in S.Africa and Kenya, I saw that they used telescopes in the two countries to observe the DART mission (https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/dart/dart-news/). Check the video below.

Does anyone know if the telescopes are government controlled?

Does anyone know their location?

There you go:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Astronomical_Observatory

50 years of the SA Special Forces!

kikuyu1:
Btw,you were supposed to be here in September-are you still coming....

The Kenyans came here. Announcement coming soon on 3-way deal in the medical field involving SA, Indian and Kenyan pharma companies.

Nemesis4you:
Who wants to experience death by laughing ?

Someone send me this so sharing it

What is it with Lilliputians and magical thinking?

S-Plane to convert Mwari to optionally piloted aircraft

Paramount Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with S-Plane Automation that will see S-Plane integrate its optionally piloted vehicle solution onto Paramount’s Mwari aircraft.

The memorandum of understanding was announced during Africa Aerospace and Defence 2022 by Paramount, which said the agreement also covered S-Plane’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission solutions.

S-Plane’s X-KIT converts manned and unmanned aircraft into complete certified optionally piloted vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles or manned airborne ISR systems. It will enable the Mwari to address both unmanned aerial support and optionally piloted aircraft operations, with the autonomous systems to be applied throughout the Mwari’s architecture, equipment, subsystems, and interfaces.

S-Plane has been creating certification-ready solutions for manned and unmanned ISR systems for the past 14 years. The company’s X-KIT is, for example, used to convert Indra’s Targus optionally piloted aircraft from a Tecnam P2006T aircraft, by Airbus UpNext for remote control of a Cessna Citation VII business jet for their Extra Performance Wing project and to create the manned Helix ISR system.

Thomas Jones, CEO at S-Plane, stated that, “This wide-ranging collaboration with Paramount is testimony to the exceptional and complementary products, technologies and capabilities of our companies and a shared vision of the future. We especially look forward to welcoming the Mwari to our stable of OPS (Optionally Piloted System) conversions. Enhanced automation is the inevitable next evolution for land, sea and air vehicles and allows aircraft such as the Mwari to achieve their full potential.”

ParagonISR

“The X-KIT’s ParagonISR integration within the Mwari’s existing onboard computer will also unlock maximum ISR capabilities and interfacing throughout the flight envelope and in the theatre of aerial reconnaissance, surveillance, and engagement,” Paramount said.

ParagonISR allows payload operators to view, manage and fuse the outputs of various sensor payloads. It provides features such as payload stream geolocation and projection, mission sharing and sensor coverage. ParagonISR optimises payload application and mission execution in real-time, according to S-Plane.

Steve Griessel, CEO of Paramount Group, stated that, “We are excited to celebrate South African innovation and indigenous technological prowess by way of the signing of this memorandum of understanding, alongside our partners at S-Plane. In doing so, we are not only enhancing the already incredible ISR and operational capabilities of the Mwari, but also strengthening the country’s commitment to aerospace excellence.

“Paramount and S-Plane seek to additionally collaborate in future with respect to various strategic initiatives and projects across the companies’ land, sea and air portfolios, leveraging the strengths of both organisations in their respective focus areas,” he added.

The Mwari has been under development for a decade, and is about to be delivered to a launch customer. Four aircraft are on the production line at the Wonderboom Airport factory – Paramount has orders for nine of the aircraft.

Mwari has been designed to easily perform multiple missions thanks to an innovative Interchangeable Mission Systems Bay (IMSB), located in the belly of the aircraft, providing near-endless sensor and payload options which can be integrated and be swapped out in less than two hours. Open-architecture and flexible systems allows for the quick and low-cost integration of new pods, avionics, cargo, special mission equipment, weapons and sensors.

Mwari has a service ceiling of up to 31 000 feet, and offers a maximum cruise speed of 250 knots, a mission range of up to 550 nautical miles with ordinance and an overall endurance of up to 6.5 hours. The aircraft also offers a short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, with retractable landing gear optimised for both semi and unprepared airstrips or sites.

Mwari has been designed with portable production in mind. The aircraft could, depending on customer requirements, be exported in kit format for final assembly in customer countries and can easily integrate into supply chains around the world, enabling scalable mass production.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/s-plane-to-convert-mwari-to-optionally-piloted-aircraft/

rocketZA:
Making its debut at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2022 expo in South Africa was a mock-up of Denel Aerospace Systems' high-speed recoverable aerial target, Loki.

Under development driven by the requirements of the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR), the procurement agency of the South African Department of Defence (DoD), and the South African Air Force (SAAF), Loki is to be developed as a technology demonstrator.

The target is envisaged to simulate a high-speed threat during surface-to-air and air-to-air ground, air, and ship-based weapons systems [sic]. The Loki weights 180 kg, has an endurance of 60–80 min, and can be controlled from a control system from a range of 60 km. The range however could be increased with the use of RF communicator relay station.

Loki is launched using a hydro-pneumatic launcher designed by South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and recovered using a parachute. The target is fitted with two infrared emitters in the wings, a Luneburg lens on the nose to enhance the radar cross-section signature, strobe light or smoke trail, and flame throwers.

It features high tapered-wings with H-tail having a wingspan of 2.45 m and a fuselage length of 3.2 m. Loki is powered by two rear-mounted 400 N TJ40-G1 turbojet engines, enabling it to attain a maximum speed of 340 kt and achieve a maximum altitude of 26,000 ft (AMSL) with 38 kg payload weight.

The first flight test of Loki target is expected to take place at Denel Overberg Test Range in March 2023. As of September 2022 two prototypes are under production

Interesting. Looking at the specs, seems more to complement the Denel Skua? Then again, as a technology demonstrator, feedback might factor onto future upgrade or replacement for Skua.