Thursday, August 28, 2008

Umbani

Origin:South Africa

Contractor/s: Denel Dynamics

Description: Umbani is a low-cost guidance and high performance modular kit designed by Denel for installation onto either 250 kg (500-lb) MK-82 or 500 kg (1,000-lb) MK-83 free fall bombs. Its guidance system is based on a combination of Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). Bombs enhanced with Umbani kit offer greater standoff ranges of up to 120 km over a broad spectrum of targets and missions in adverse weather, day/night conditions. Wing kit and rocket motor are available as optional equipment to extend its range after a low level launch or to provide a longer standoff range after launch at high altitudes.

In addition to aerodynamic items, Umbani modular architecture allows for integration of a variety of seekers, fuzes and warheads. This translates into a Circular Error Probable (CEP) lower than 3 meters using IR or laser seekers or autonomous target acquisition at maximum standoff range which allows the aircraft to leave the area after launch. Besides, Umbani precision-guided bombs can execute impacts on target with an angle of attack of up to 90-degree/straight from above minimizing collateral damage and lengthening the odds on hitting target.

The South African Air Force (SAAF) intends to use Umbani guided bombs on its JAS 39C/D Gripen multi-role fighter purchased from Sweden. Umbani weapon is suitable for Close Air Support (CAS); Offensive Counter-Air such as bombing of hardened aircraft shelters or runways; Battlefield Interdiction such as neutralization of air defense; and Deep Battlefield Interdiction such as destruction of buildings and bridges.

Specifications
Weights: Max Weight 500 kg (1,102 lb)

Performance: CEP 3 m (10 ft), Max Range 120 km (65 nm)

Operators

South Africa

Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

Last Updated: Sunday, August 24, 2008

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