Umkhonto (missile)
| Umkhonto | |
|---|---|
Umkhonto missile system | |
| Type | Short to medium range surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2001 |
| Used by | South Africa, Finland, Algeria |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Denel Dynamics |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 130 kg (290 lb) |
| Length | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) |
| Diameter | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 500 mm (20 in) |
| Warhead | 23 kg (51 lb) |
Operational range | 20 km (12 mi), Umkhonto-IR 30 km (19 mi), Umkhonto-ER-IR 60 km (37 mi), Umkhonto-R |
| Flight altitude | 8 km (5.0 mi), Umkhonto-IR 12 km (7.5 mi), Umkhonto-ER-IR 15 km (9.3 mi), Umkhonto-R |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2 |
Guidance system | All-aspect infra-red, command update fire and forget |
Launch platform | Naval Vertical launch system, Ground-based Launcher System |
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The Umkhonto (Zulu: Spear) is a family of vertical-launched, surface-to-air missiles developed by Denel Dynamics. Umkhonto is designed to be a modern, short to medium-range missile, with an all-weather launch capability. Operating at supersonic speeds, the Umkhonto utilises infrared homing technology to provide point and limited local air defence against multiple attacks of aircraft and missiles.
Denel initially developed the Umkhonto to equip the four Valour-class frigates of the South African Navy with an anti-air capability, with the first successful naval launch achieved in 2005 from SAS Amatola. The South African Army has also invested in the project as part of a programme to replace the obsolete, and now retired, Cactus mobile short-ranged ground-based air defence system. The Umkhonto has secured notable export success, with the missile currently being operated by Finnish and Algerian naval forces.
Umkhonto is available in three variants, a short-range infrared homing (Umkhonto-IR), a medium-range infrared homing (Umkhonto-ER-IR) and a beyond-visual-range radar homing version (Umkhonto-R).