Development began in 2003 as a totally in-house and private-venture project, being developed with internal company funds. The first prototype was expected to fly in early 2006 but as of 2010[update] this has not yet happened. The aircraft was included in a Brazilian Air ForceRFP for UAVs in early 2009,[1] though as of 2010[update] the competition has not been concluded. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has expressed interest in the system, but requested in 2006 that the cost of the system be reduced before an acquisition could be considered.[2] In 2008, the South African Air Force announced a project, named Itambo, to acquire a MALE UAV in the 2008-2012 timeframe, with the Bateleur presumed to be a front-runner.[3]
The entire aircraft is constructed using a modular construction system, making future adaptations of the airframe for increased range or larger payloads simpler than would be possible with a rigid airframe. It also makes it possible for the aircraft, once disassembled, to fit inside a 6 m ISOshipping container.
It is able to carry a variety of payloads, with a maximum payload mass of 200 kg (440 lb).
Initially, proposed payloads include the Denel Optronics Argos-410 electro-optical (E/O) and infrared (IR) system (with optional laser rangefinder), the Denel Optronics Goshawk-350 E/O and IR system (also with optional laser rangefinder), a laser designator, an Avitronics Emitter Locating System, electronic intelligence equipment, and/or a synthetic aperture radar.[4]
Though at present it has a maximum "action radius" of only 750 km (470 mi), a Ku-band satellite datalink was proposed which will allow the Bateleur to extend its range to around 3 500 km (2 175 miles), making it suitable for missions requiring longer ranges such as maritime patrol.[5]
The Bateleur takes off and lands conventionally, on a runway, and has retractable undercarriage.
It is also completely autonomous, allowing it to take off, conduct its mission, and land all without human control being required.
Roles and missions
Bateleur at Africa Aerospace & Defence 2004
Roles and Missions
Real-time day and night (E/O and IR) surveillance
Electronic and Communications Intelligence gathering (ELINT and COMINT)
^Campbell, Keith. "SA firm to participate in Brazilian Air Force acquisition competition", Engineering News, 9 April 2009. Retrieved on 7 March 2010
^La Franchi, Peter. "South African authorities ask Denel to revise Bateleur MALE UAV development cost", Flightglobal, 9 October 2006. Retrieved on 7 March 2010
^Engelbrecht, Leon. "SAAF choosing a MALE UAS", DefenceWeb, 24 November 2008. Retrieved on 7 March 2010
^ abDenel Dynamics, "Bateleur marketing brochure (PDF), Denel Dynamics. Retrieved on 7 March 2010
^Defence Talk editor. Denel MALE UAV on First Overseas Visit. Defence Talk, 29 November 2005. Retrieved on 7 March 2010.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Denel Dynamics Bateleur.
May 14, 2023
denel, dynamics, bateleur, bateleur, named, bateleur, eagle, unmanned, aerial, vehicle, prototype, designed, built, denel, dynamics, formerly, kentron, been, designed, male, medium, altitude, long, endurance, with, primary, role, being, surveillance, with, sec. The Bateleur named for the bateleur eagle is an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV prototype designed and built by Denel Dynamics formerly Kentron It has been designed as a MALE medium altitude long endurance UAV with its primary role being surveillance with a secondary signals intelligence capability BateleurRole MALE UAVManufacturer Denel DynamicsStatus In developmentDevelopment began in 2003 as a totally in house and private venture project being developed with internal company funds The first prototype was expected to fly in early 2006 but as of 2010 update this has not yet happened The aircraft was included in a Brazilian Air Force RFP for UAVs in early 2009 1 though as of 2010 update the competition has not been concluded The South African National Defence Force SANDF has expressed interest in the system but requested in 2006 that the cost of the system be reduced before an acquisition could be considered 2 In 2008 the South African Air Force announced a project named Itambo to acquire a MALE UAV in the 2008 2012 timeframe with the Bateleur presumed to be a front runner 3 The entire aircraft is constructed using a modular construction system making future adaptations of the airframe for increased range or larger payloads simpler than would be possible with a rigid airframe It also makes it possible for the aircraft once disassembled to fit inside a 6 m ISO shipping container It is able to carry a variety of payloads with a maximum payload mass of 200 kg 440 lb Initially proposed payloads include the Denel Optronics Argos 410 electro optical E O and infrared IR system with optional laser rangefinder the Denel Optronics Goshawk 350 E O and IR system also with optional laser rangefinder a laser designator an Avitronics Emitter Locating System electronic intelligence equipment and or a synthetic aperture radar 4 Though at present it has a maximum action radius of only 750 km 470 mi a Ku band satellite datalink was proposed which will allow the Bateleur to extend its range to around 3 500 km 2 175 miles making it suitable for missions requiring longer ranges such as maritime patrol 5 The Bateleur takes off and lands conventionally on a runway and has retractable undercarriage It is also completely autonomous allowing it to take off conduct its mission and land all without human control being required Roles and missions Edit Bateleur at Africa Aerospace amp Defence 2004 Roles and Missions Real time day and night E O and IR surveillance Electronic and Communications Intelligence gathering ELINT and COMINT Airborne communications relay Military and paramilitary photo reconnaissance Target location and laser designation Maritime and coastal patrol Border patrol Search and rescue Battlefield surveillance Artillery fire support Damage assessmentSpecifications EditData from 4 General characteristicsCapacity 200 kg 441 lb Wingspan 15 m 49 ft 3 in Max takeoff weight 1 000 kg 2 205 lb Powerplant 1 Rotax 914 4 cyl four stroke horizontally opposed piston engine 75 kW 101 hp or 1x Subaru EA 82T 4 cyl four stroke horizontally opposed piston engine rated at 86kW 115hp dd dd Performance Maximum speed 250 km h 160 mph 130 kn Range 750 km 470 mi 400 nmi Endurance 18 24 hours Service ceiling 8 000 m 26 000 ft See also EditAircraft of comparable role configuration and era General Atomics MQ 1 Predator TAI Anka Shahed 129 TAPAS BH 201References Edit Campbell Keith SA firm to participate in Brazilian Air Force acquisition competition Engineering News 9 April 2009 Retrieved on 7 March 2010 La Franchi Peter South African authorities ask Denel to revise Bateleur MALE UAV development cost Flightglobal 9 October 2006 Retrieved on 7 March 2010 Engelbrecht Leon SAAF choosing a MALE UAS DefenceWeb 24 November 2008 Retrieved on 7 March 2010 a b Denel Dynamics Bateleur marketing brochure PDF Denel Dynamics Retrieved on 7 March 2010 Defence Talk editor Denel MALE UAV on First Overseas Visit Defence Talk 29 November 2005 Retrieved on 7 March 2010 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Denel Dynamics Bateleur Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Denel Dynamics Bateleur amp oldid 1087759830, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
