The Denel Dynamics Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle has successfully completed a second round of flights tests at Alkantpan in the Northern Cape as part of its development process, Denel has announced. The tests included an evaluation of the system for range and performance with full payload on board.
“This was the first series of flights of the Seeker 400 with the full payload,” said Tsepo Monaheng, the CEO of Denel Dynamics. “We are delighted about the performance of the Seeker 400 and confident that we will be able to start with production for clients within the next few months.”
The Seeker 400 first flew at the Alkantpan test range in February this year.
Monaheng said the development of the Seeker 400, which has a cruising speed of 150 km/h and can carry a payload of 100 kg (at the front and back of the aircraft), confirms Denel’s global leadership position in the design and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Although the Seeker 400 was developed with armed surveillance in mind, it is not armed at present. However, Denel Dynamics said it will definitely be in the future, with either Impi or Mokopa missiles under the wings.
Monaheng said the Seeker 400 is a highlight in South Africa’s development of local UAVs. Its forerunner, the Seeker II, has been successfully deployed by international customers in five countries overseas. The Seeker II is being further upgraded by Denel Dynamics, rebranded as the Seeker 200, and offered to clients who want a smaller air vehicle or do not require the greater endurance and dual payload capability offered by the latest Seeker 400 version.