Paramount’s N-Raven Precision Strike Loitering Munition goes into production - IDEX 2023

21 Feb 2023
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 21 February 2023 – Paramount Aerospace Systems (PAS), subsidiary to Paramount, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) headquartered global aerospace and technology company, announced that its groundbreaking N-Raven loitering munition will begin production in April this year with first deliveries in October, to meet the urgent requirements of armed forces around the world.

N-Raven has been digitally designed with quick transfer of technology in mind, to enable governments to manufacture these loitering munitions in their countries, in less than one year. The announcement was made at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2023) in Abu Dhabi.

Paramount Aerospace Systems has developed the N-Raven as a robust yet cost-effective loitering munition to meet the needs of the new battlefield in both asymmetrical and symmetrical warfare, by utilising proven building blocks, components and experience gained from the company’s previously-fielded and operational remote-controlled systems.

Paramount’s N-Raven consists of three different models; GPS guided, fixed Optical Seeker Head target identification, recognition and tracking; and a Gimbal version of the Optical Seeker Head. All these technologies including the hardware, software and AI have been developed by Paramount.

The swarming version of the N Raven is in advanced stages of development and is scheduled to be industrialized in the second half of 2024.

With a wingspan of 3.6 meters, a maximum cruise speed of up to 180 km/hr and a loitering endurance time of roughly 2 hours (electric) and 4.5 hours (petrol) and a range of up to 100 km, the 55 kg N-Raven delivers capabilities to find, fix and destroy, neutralize and suppress targets. The 13.5 kg payload is key to this ability.

Mobile and deployable in a short period of time, operational units can utilise and launch the N-Raven from both land-based and naval platforms. Commanders will benefit from the advantage of the N-Raven’s precision strike capabilities against targets, both static and moving, located deep within enemy territory,

“Designed to strengthen armed forces’ aerial reconnaissance, engagement and precision strike capabilities, while removing humans from harm’s way, the N Raven addresses the increasing requirements of governments for defence industrial autonomy and maintaining security of supply”, contends Paramount Global CEO, Steve Griessel.

“The N Raven is a lightweight solution yet with the capacity to immobilise convoys and supply lines and in doing so, deplete enemy capabilities,” he continued.

“Recent conflicts around the world have confirmed that loitering munitions will play a key role on the new battlefield . This ingenious, affordable technology increases mission survivability and success, enhances real time actionable intelligence, minimises exposure of friendly forces, and in doing so, provide armed forces around the world with an unassailable advantage” says Griessel.

“Nearly three decades ago, Paramount was founded on the belief that true innovation in our space means bringing technologically advanced, affordable and highly customisable solutions to the needs of our partners. The N-Raven is designed and produced with portable production in mind, allowing our partners the ability to bolster their own defence industrial capabilities and do this at warp speed.”

https://www.paramountgroup.com/media/news/paramount-s-n-raven-precision-strike-loitering-munition-goes-into-production-idex-2023/

It looks the SAn defence industry is back

GreenandGold:
It looks the SAn defence industry is back

Well, apart from 4 out of 6 Denel companies, the other 262 companies in the SA defence industry never went anywhere!

Lurker4Long:

Well, apart from 4 out of 6 Denel companies, the other 262 companies in the SA defence industry never went anywhere!

Make it 263 now, Golden Era is clearing documentation

That Paramount Group stand at IDEX2023... visual porn

Lurker4Long:
...more.

Those accropode re unique.

QuietMynd:

Those accropode re unique.

We call them DOLOS. From wikipedia:

Credit for invention
The design of the dolos is usually credited to the South African Eric Mowbray Merrifield, one-time East London Harbour Engineer (from 1961–1976).[5]: 10  In the late 1990s the claim of Aubrey Kruger[7] gained more prominence. Kruger's claim is that he and Merrifield had considered the shape of concrete blocks to be used to protect East London's extensive breakwaters for the City's non-natural harbour, following a major storm in 1963. Merrifield wished to design a block that did not break up or shift when struck by the sea; that was cheap; and that did not require precise placement. He said in later years that he wanted a block designed in such a way that it could be "sprinkled like children's jacks". Kruger stated that he went home for lunch, cut three sections from a broomstick, and fastened them with nails into an H-shape with one leg turned through 90 degrees to create the distinctive dolos shape. Merrifield was intrigued by the object and had Kruger draw a plan. Kruger never formally received credit for the invention. Merrifield won the Shell Design Award and the Associated Science and Technology Societies of South Africa's Gold Medal.[5]: 11  The death of Merrifield (in 1982) has put this controversy beyond proof either way.[citation needed] Aubrey Kruger died in East London on 19 July 2016.

Design protection
The design of the dolos is not protected by any form of patent. Merrifield did not take the necessary steps to protect the concept.[5]: 11 

The reason for this is uncertain. Two reasons for this have been put forward: one by Merrifield; the other by Kruger. Merrifield stated that he did not protect them as he wished them to benefit humanity.[5]: 11  Kruger alleges that Merrifield received incorrect legal advice: to wit, that as the blocks had been designed during office hours while he was employed by the State (South African Railways and Harbours Administration), he was unable by law to protect their design.[citation needed]

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

GreenandGold, it's lekker by die sea! This weekend we get to show the world a lovelier street track than Monaco! And I'll be watching the E-Prix from a roof-top pool deck on a friend's apartment building in Green Point!
You people inland must just concede!

Lurker4Long:

We call them DOLOS. From wikipedia:


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

Missed opportunity for a picture bro, missed opportunity

Lurker4Long:
GreenandGold, it's lekker by die sea! This weekend we get to show the world a lovelier street track than Monaco! And I'll be watching the E-Prix from a roof-top pool deck on a friend's apartment building in Green Point!
You people inland must just concede!

Look who is powering the whole cute Cape motor race, the inland's industrial might

Heavy deployment of CS/VP3 Bigfoot MRAP for the upcoming elections in Nigeria.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CpAMBQOrAbq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

GreenandGold:


Look who is powering the whole cute Cape motor race, the inland's industrial might

How else can we boast of our pristine air?

Armour convoy seen moving to one of the states for the 2023 elections, the election will be peaceful

Heavy Nigerian army convoy spotted for election security in the South East

Lurker4Long:



How else can we boast of our pristine air?

Being the nice people that we are, we will let this one slide...

It seems like Denel has gotten some fresh new capital from the tax payer

In particular, funds amounting to R3.4-billion have been allocated to Denel through the Special Appropriation Act of 2022, with set conditions relating to the implementation of its turnaround plan and clarity on a sustainable business model.

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sanral-transnet-denel-among-soes-to-receive-fiscal-support-in-202324-2023-02-22

Police: We need backup, we have a rural operation
STF: How much firepower do you need?
Police: Yes!!!
STF:

border patrol police unit (Bpu)Kenya

India opts for Al Tariq

The United Arab Emirates’ AL TARIQ and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding for the production of Al Tariq precision guided weapons in India.

AL TARIQ, part of the Edge group, said the agreement was signed during the Aero India 2023 exhibition earlier this month. The two companies will jointly produce the Al Tariq line of all weather, day/night, long-range precision-guided munition (LR-PGM) kits in India.

Theunis Botha, CEO of AL TARIQ, said: “We are extremely proud to be partnering with Bharat Dynamics, a well-established manufacturer of high technology weapon systems for the Indian Air Force. The MoU exemplifies the willingness and intent of AL TARIQ and Bharat Dynamics in cooperating and identifying opportunities to jointly produce the AL TARIQ LR-PGM in India. It will also enable us to meet the Indian Air Force’s requirements while fulfilling the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ mandate.”

Commodore A Madhavarao (retired), Director (Technical) of BDL, said: “Our partnership with AL TARIQ, a producer of outstanding, mission-proven precision-guided munition kits, marks a notable addition to our precision strike portfolio. Under the MoU, Indian variants of AL TARIQ’s LR-PGMs will be developed and produced at our state-of-the-art facilities, adding a modular, advanced long-range capability to our precision-guided munition offerings.”

Also at Aero India, AL TARIQ signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to explore the feasibility of integrating AL TARIQ’s line of LR-PGMs onto HAL platforms.

At the signing, Botha said: “Through our partnership with HAL, a leading producer of latest technology military aircraft, we can offer customers a LR-PGM that provides long stand-off ranges and increased safety. Additionally, we look forward to offering a unique, modular LR-PGM solution that will expand and enhance the aerial strike capability of the end-user.”

S Krishna Kumar, Executive Director (Aircraft Research & Design Centre) of HAL, said: “High precision, long range, focused munition integration will improve the lethality of our fighter aircraft. ARDC along with other stakeholders will explore the possibilities of integration of AL TARIQ’s LR-PGM solution to fixed-wing aircraft of Indian origin.”

Al Tariq is a modular family of precision guided munitions designed for the Mk 81, Mk 82, and Mk 83 (250 lb, 500 lb, 1 000 lb) aerial bombs, offering long stand-off ranges exceeding 120 km and multiple seeker options. The system offers a wireless integration option or a digital solution for aircraft requiring either MIL-STD-1760 or DIGIBUS interfacing. The standard Al Tariq kit gives a range of up to 40 km while the Al Tariq-LR version has fold-out wings for a range of 120 km.

The existing Al Tariq range comprises guidance kits for the Mk 81 and Mk 82 bombs, but this is also being expanded to include the Mk 83/HSLD 450 (1 000 lb/454 kg) bomb. The winged Mk 83 version is being qualified through flight trials, with production expected from the second quarter of 2023, while the existing Mk 81 and Mk 82 kits are currently in production.

At the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2022 exhibition last September, AL TARIQ unveiled the new X-series guidance kit for Mk 81 or Mk 82 bombs – the kit is lighter than previous versions, and is designed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and smaller counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft. The X-series kit uses the body from the Mk 81/82 series and is fitted with flip-up fins. It can be dropped from up to 40 000 feet and travel at Mach .9 with a maximum range of 40 km.

The Al Tariq weapon started life as the Denel Dynamics Umbani (Lightning) guided bomb system, which has a terminal accuracy of 3 metres circular error probable (half of the weapons land within that distance of the aim point) using laser target-designation or an imaging infra-red seeker.

The Umbani was first test dropped off a South African Air Force Hawk in 2011 and then became the first product (the Al Tariq) of a joint venture between Denel Dynamics (49%) and Tawazun (51%). Tawazun Dynamics supplied the weapon to the UAE Air Force, where it equips its Mirage 2000s and Hawks. It is believed to have been used in combat in Yemen. More recently, Egypt acquired the Al Tariq for its Mirage 2000 and F-16 Fighting Falcon combat jets.

Tawazun became Barij Dynamics in 2018 and in November 2019, Barij became AL TARIQ when it was consolidated along with 25 other UAE defence entities under the Edge group.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/india-opts-for-al-tariq/

Elettronica to supply electronic warfare systems for Angola’s new corvettes

Italian electronic warfare (EW) specialist Elettronica has been selected to supply the EW systems for the Angolan Navy’s new BR71 Mk II corvettes that will be supplied by the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB).

The 1 billion euro contract for the ‘fleet’ of corvettes (believed but not confirmed to number three) was announced on 20 February.

Elettronica said the selection of its electronic warfare equipment by Abu Dhabi Ship Building came on the back of previous successful integration programmes between the two companies “and this new collaboration confirms the commitment to keep working together.”

Enzo Benigni, President and CEO of Elettronica, said, “This important export operation recognizes the maturity and the excellence achieved in the industrial and technological fields by ADSB. This agreement makes Elettronica particularly proud of this collaboration and confident about the even more challenging objectives that can be achieved together in the future, providing the country with the resilience and sovereignty necessary in a moment of profound geopolitical complexity.”

Elettronica has been active in the electronic warfare field for over 70 years. Its systems are designed for strategic surveillance, self-protection, intelligence gathering, electronic defence and operational support for the sea, land and air domains.

Its systems can be found on platforms like the Tornado fighter, the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, the NH-90 helicopter, Italian offshore patrol vessels and the Franco-Italian Horizon and FREMM warships.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/sea/sea-sea/eletrronica-to-supply-electronic-warfare-systems-for-angolas-new-corvettes/

Lurker4Long:
Elettronica to supply electronic warfare systems for Angola’s new corvettes

Italian electronic warfare (EW) specialist Elettronica has been selected to supply the EW systems for the Angolan Navy’s new BR71 Mk II corvettes that will be supplied by the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB).

Angola has a history of buying nice things, and kinda forget about them after that.

Lurker4Long:

We call them DOLOS. From wikipedia:


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

My first time of hearing that

Kenya police service GSU Recce Company representing the Republic of Kenya in the 4th Edition UAE SWAT competition

NTSA:
Kenya police service GSU Recce Company representing the Republic of Kenya in the 4th Edition UAE SWAT competition

Any pics of your other 2 teams?

Lurker4Long:
India opts for Al Tariq


The Umbani was first test dropped off a South African Air Force Hawk in 2011 and then became the first product (the Al Tariq) of a joint venture between Denel Dynamics (49%) and Tawazun (51%). Tawazun Dynamics supplied the weapon to the UAE Air Force, where it equips its Mirage 2000s and Hawks. It is believed to have been used in combat in Yemen. More recently, Egypt acquired the Al Tariq for its Mirage 2000 and F-16 Fighting Falcon combat jets.

Because of that idiot from eNkandla, this should have long been integrated fully integrated with the Hawk and delivered to the SAAF.... the damage that guy did to institutions like Denel will forever be felt.

Lurker4Long:

Any pics of your other 2 teams?

I will try look for them

Ashok Leyland Military Truck built in Lagos, Nigeria.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWSYjJH25YA

DICON Ezugwu MRAP(center) in use with 82 Div of the Nigerian army

Resurgent interest in Saab Grintek Defence naval sensors

The war in Ukraine as well as consistent marketing efforts are seeing surging interest in naval sensor products at Saab Grintek Defence, which has just launched a new laser warning receiver.

Gavin Copeland, Business Development Executive: Naval EW at Saab Grintek Defence (SGD) told defenceWeb that the naval side of the business has been growing very strongly over the last few years, partly as a result of intense marketing efforts, and partly as a result of the war in Ukraine, which has generated “a significant increase in queries and RFPs.” Until the Ukraine conflict there was a need for new naval EW systems, but an unwillingness to spend money, Copeland said, but following Russia’s invasion, heightened demand is being seen across Saab’s air, land and sea products.

SGD has naval customers all over the world, including in Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, NATO, and North Africa. Four NATO countries, including Finland, use surface and subsurface products. “We’ve had some pretty good successes,” Copeland said, “and have a very good pipeline based on the work we’ve done”. A lot of business comes from word of mouth, with satisfied customers sharing their experiences with others. New Zealand is one of SGD’s naval users and the company hopes that it will spread across the channel to Australia.

SGD has built its naval business tremendously over the last quarter of a century, and for a small company of 25 people working on the naval side in Cape Town, “it’s a fairly good achievement, especially being a South African company. All our products are designed and produced in South Africa,” Copeland said, and are as ITAR-free as possible. Being ITAR-free and based in South Africa also means SGD can operate across the whole world, and selling defensive rather than offensive systems makes exports easier.

One of SGD’s key naval products is its Naval Laser Warning System (NLWS), which can be either a standalone system or fully integrated into a vessel’s combat system. It includes a laser waring system for surface vessels and a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) blue-green laser sensor for sub-surface applications. Sensors are placed around a vessel to ensure adequate coverage, with the number of sensors determined by the size of the vessel. The system, which interfaces with the vessel’s combat management system and electronic support measures (ESM), can provide the bearing, laser classification and identification information required to deploy the necessary countermeasures.

The NLWS features the NLWS 310 laser warning system, which in LWS 310 guise is also used in Saab’s IDAS defensive aids suite for aircraft, and operates across the .5-1.7 nm wavelength to provide threat classification and direction of arrival for laser rangefinders, designators and missile guidance lasers. The LWS series has gone through several versions, namely Mk I, II, and III, with a new high accuracy sensor launched at this week’s IDEX exhibition.

The new LWS 700 allows for the automated detection, classification, and identification of laser-based weapons. Under development for the last three-and-a-half years, it is capable of classifying and identifying laser threats such as target designators or laser rangefinders. With a 1° bearing and elevation accuracy, the sensor is able to support countermeasures, specifically the deployment of hard-kill counter fires. This is a much-improved version of the LWS 310 and offers a bearing accuracy of 7.5°.

A North American based platform OEM (original equipment manufacturer) has already acquired several units.

Copeland emphasised that the older laser warning sensors will not necessarily be redundant, as they will be more cost effective and fit into a specific market segment.

SGD’s NLWS is in service with five nations(55 systems), including with the United Arab Emirates Navy (Baynunah class corvettes), German Navy, and South African Navy. For German frigates, Saab’s radar ESM and laser warning systems are used in combination with Rheinmetall’s Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) decoy system, which guards against both radar and laser-guided threats.

SGD’s other flagship naval product is its naval radar warning/electronic support measures (ESM) system, which has been integrated onto Greek, Portuguese, and South Korean submarines, amongst others – fifteen solutions are in service with three NATO navies. This forms part of the company’s electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) solutions for surface vessels and submarines, providing rapid detection, classification and identification of emissions. The ESM and ELINT range comprises the SME-50 ESM receiver, SME-150 ESM system with ELINT functionality, and SME-250 ESM receiver with digital ELINT receiver – the latter covers the .5-18 GHz range while the SME-50 and SME-150 cover the 2-18 GHz range. The SME designation is used for surface vessels and UME for subsurface vessels.

These systems can be integrated with the NLWS, MASS or other decoy systems, active ECM systems, and Saab CRS-8000 communications ESM system (Saab Sensor Systems Germany offers the CRS series of naval communications intelligence [COMINT] and communications ESM [C-ESM] solutions).

SGD’s maritime business evolved from its involvement in the South African Navy’s submarine projects, with the company providing electronic warfare solutions for the submarines as well as frigates. “The submarine contract put us on the map today in terms of a radar/ESM perspective. At the time, there were very few companies that made submarine electronic warfare systems, especially for direction finding etc.” Copeland explained.

Almost all product development is internally funded – “gone are the days where we can rely on Armscor and Institute for Maritime Technology funding. The last time we got R& funding was in the 2000s,” he told defenceWeb.

SGD’s naval products are somewhat unique in that they are used in air, land and sea applications as they share common building blocks, although the naval business is smaller than the airborne side. Saab Grintek Defence has for many years manufactured laser warning and missile approach warning sensors, with previous generations being the LWS-310 and MAW 300 respectively. The company recently launched its next generation MAW 400 and LWS-330 for airborne platforms, now in production, with a European customer the first to take these new products.

In addition, Saab Grintek Defence is producing a LEDS 50 MK 4 sensor, which is a 1-degree sensor for land applications. (Land Electronic Defence Systems, or LEDS, is an integrated, modular, active protection system consisting of laser warning sensors, an active defence controller, human-machine-interface and an effector control segment that can launch smoke or cue jammers).

Saab’s laser and missile approach warning systems form part of its integrated defensive aids suite (IDAS) for helicopters, transport aircraft and combat aircraft. IDAS warns against radar, laser and infrared guided threats and automatically deploys appropriate countermeasures such as chaff and flares. IDAS is operational on 30+ aircraft types in more than 15 countries.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/resurgent-interest-in-saab-grintek-defence-naval-sensors/

Nigerian army military convoys giving Russian army invasion vibes.

See video below.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Jakepor21/status/1629127544707469312/video/1

Ashok Leyland's built in Nigeria seen deployed.