Denel Dynamics Umbani
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
system
| Umbani | |
|---|---|
 Umbani PGM on display at the Test Flight and Development Centre of the South African Air Force Airshow in 2012 | |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Production history | |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Propellant | Rocket motor |
Guidance system | Inertial guidance/GPS |
The Umbani (Ndebele/Zulu: lightning) is a precision-guided bomb kit manufactured by Denel Dynamics in South Africa. It consists of a number of modules fitted to NATO standard Mk81, Mk82 or Mk83 low drag free-fall bombs to convert them into guided glide bombs.[1]
Guidance
The modular kit consists of a number units that are attached to a standard Mk80-series bomb. A guidance system and large tail fins are the most basic form of the system, optional folding wings and a rocket motor may be added to increase the stand-off range up to 120 kilometres (75 mi) or add a low-level launch capability.[1][2]
Range using different configurations:
- Standard bomb kit - 40 km
- With folding wing kit - 120 km
- With wing kit and Extended Range (ER) module - 200 km [3]
The weapon's all-weather, day and night capability is due to the GPS–INS guidance system. Increasing accuracy to a claimed 3m CEP is possible by adding an imaging infrared or a semi-active laser seeker terminal guidance system.[4]
Testing and qualification
The system was first tested on the Atlas Cheetah, later an Aerosud-owned former South African Air Force (SAAF) Dassault Mirage F1 was used after the Cheetah retired. The system has been integrated on the SAAF's BAE Hawk Mk120 lead-in fighter trainer aircraft. Qualification on the SAAF's Saab JAS 39 Gripen was not considered due to the high costs associated with integration on a supersonic aircraft. The Gripens have been armed with GBU-12 Paveway II bombs instead.[5]
