Mokopa
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| Mokopa | |
|---|---|
Solid-fuel rocket | |
Operational range | 10,000 m (6.2 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 530 m/s (1,200 mph) |
Guidance system | Semi-active laser homing millimetre wave radar seeker |
Launch platform | Fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, ground vehicles, boats, ships |
The ZT-6 Mokopa is a South African air-to-ground
All variants of the Mokopa feature two launch modes, lock-on before launch (LOBL) and lock-on after launch (LOAL). LOBL is the older, more conventional mode of missile launching, where a target must be illuminated by the launch platform before launch. LOAL in contrast allows the launch platform to launch the missile with or without being in sight of the target. For the SAL version, this allows either the launch platform to move into place and illuminate the target only immediately before a missile strikes a target, or allows an observer on the ground equipped with a laser designator to guide a missile. This method of launch greatly reduces the exposure time of the launch platform to enemy fire.
Development
Full scale development of the Mokopa began in November 1996, due to a long-term United States arms embargo against South Africa blocking acquisition of the US
Launch vehicles and platforms
Though mainly designed to be launched from a helicopter, the Mokopa has been tested on a variety of platforms, including mounting it on light armoured vehicles, ships, and small boats. For the latter purpose, the Mokopa is available with an anti-ship warhead.[3]
Warhead
The Mokopa uses a powerful
An anti-ship warhead is also available for customers who wish to use the Mokopa as a ship-board defence weapon, or as the armament of specialised ship-board helicopters.
Performance
The missile is considered to be very accurate, with an accuracy believed to match that of the company's other anti-tank missile, the
It also has a long range for an anti-tank missile; at 10 km (6.2 mi) it is greater than the published range of most current competitors, including the
Users
- Flightglobal, the Algerian Navy's six new Super Lynx 300-series helicopters were conducting flight tests in 2014 armed with Mokopa anti-armour missiles.[6]
See also
Comparable missiles
- AGM-114 Hellfire – (United States)
- Brimstone – (United Kingdom)
- Barq – (Pakistan)
References
- ^ a b "The Market for Anti-Tank Missiles" (PDF). Forecast International. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "The Unofficial South African Air Force Website". Saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "Denel's Mokopa PGM ready for market". defenceWeb. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ "Denel Dynamics showcases a full range of its tactical missile products at IDEX 2013 2102131 – Army Recognition". Armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ Archived copy Archived 21 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine option=com_content&view=article&id=38561&catid=74&Itemid=30
- ^ Hoyle, Craig (14 October 2014). "New Algerian Super Lynx nears delivery". Flightglobal. Flightglobal. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
External links
- Official website, Denel Dynamics
- Denel Dynamics Product Brochures (PDF)