South African Paramount Group has equipped its multi-mission Mwari aircraft with anti-drone technologies, enabling it to hunt and kill Medium Altitude and Long Endurance (MALE) Drones which otherwise require expensive ground-based air defense missiles.
The anti-drone Mwari is capable of engaging MALE drones at altitudes of 20,000-30,000 feet, where only highly sophisticated and costly ground-based air defence systems (GBADS) can reach, and which would otherwise require the intervention of fighter jets.
Advanced sensors, an extended range, and pinpoint accuracy are at the forefront of the Mwari’s innovative system design, making the platform an ideal solution for the threats posed by MALE drones to the territorial integrity of sovereign nations.
The anti-drone Mwari aircraft was launched at the World Defense Show, currently on in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Mwari is capable of loitering at a minimum speed of 110kts for up to 10 hours of flight time (with optional external fuel tanks for added endurance). It is equipped with multi-role air-to-air missiles (with an engagement range of 4,000m) alongside rapid-fire, wing-mounted cannon pods (with an engagement range of 800m).
Its situational awareness capability includes an encrypted, high-bandwidth data link and multi-spectrum search and track sensors, long range optical and radar surveillance systems, a SA7 CRM – Satellite Communication link, AIS – Ship ID Systems and real-time video; The Mwari can assess targets, including MALEs in the 2,000 kg class, typically flown in high altitude surveillance patterns.
Superior crew and sensor visibility ensures thatg the Mwari can operate in austere and
remote environments and on unprepared runways while requiring a limited logistical footprint.
Steve Griessel, CEO of Paramount Group, stated that, “Historically, prohibitive costs have restricted anti-drone systems targeting MALE drone threats. Amidst this paradigm is where the Mwari perfectly steps in, able to operate at a fraction of the cost of alternative anti-drone solutions. No other singular aircraft has such an intuitive multi-mission application or can reach similar altitudes while hosting top-class situational awareness technology.”
The Mwari can be rapidly disassembled, transported in a C-130 or equivalent, and reassembled at a remote base, by a small crew with minimal infrastructure.
