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)[1]
Length	3.32 m (10.9 ft)[1]
Diameter	180 mm (7.1 in)[1]
Wingspan	500 mm (20 in)[1]
Warhead	23 kg (51 lb)[1]
Operational range	20 km (12 mi), Umkhonto-IR 30 km (19 mi), Umkhonto-ER-IR 60 km (37 mi), Umkhonto-R[2]
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[1]
Guidance system	All-aspect infra-red, command update fire and forget
Launch platform	Naval Vertical launch system, Ground-based Launcher System

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

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).