Denel Mokopa mmW ATGM - Radar Mamba

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Suggestion No.74

G’day lads. I want to suggest a different variant of the Mokopa, featuring a mmW seeker for it, while retaining the same performance :)

(Note: The mmW and IIR variant have the same shape, and can visually not be identified, hence the same images as the IIR variant suggestion)

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Description:

Spoiler

The Mokopa, formerly known as ZT-6, is a South African air-to-ground ATGM, developed by Denel Dynamics. It uses a HEAT warhead capable of penetrating 1350mm of rolled homogeneous armor after ERA (Tandem). The missile is normally equipped with semi-active laser guidance, requiring a laser designator for target illumination, though alternative guidance packages thanks to its modular design include millimeter-wave radar (mmW) and two-color imaging infrared seekers (IIR). South African Air Force’s Rooivalk attack helicopters were supposed to be the only carrier of the weapon, but it has also been tested on ground vehicles and ships, as well as slow aircraft. This suggestion focuses on the mmW, which was tested and mounted on. It can be identified by having a more “rounder” seeker compared to the laser guided Mokopa.

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History:

Spoiler

The Mokopa anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) was developed by Denel Dynamics in South Africa as a response to the country’s need for an advanced air-to-ground missile system as a Hellfire alternative. Full-scale development began in November 1996, largely due to a long-term arms embargo that prevented South Africa from acquiring the American AGM-114 Hellfire missile. The first air-launched tests took place in 1999, where they got launched from a Rooivalk attack helicopter, followed by the first guided tests of all variants, aside of the (still) planned thermobaric variant in 2000.

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The missile was in its final stages of development by 2005 and was planned to being integrated onto the South African Air Force’s Rooivalk helicopters, however, budgetary constraints led to delays in full operational deployment. The mmW/IIR variant of the Mokopa were shown a lot during the 2000’s until 2010’s, however stopped showing as the Rooivalk also was showing up less and less in expos.

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Aside from the South African Air Force (SAAF), the only operator is Algeria, who uses laser Mokopas on their Lynx helicopters and on some naval platforms.

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Specifications:

Spoiler

The Mokopa anti-tank guided missile has a diameter of 178mm and a length of 1,995mm. It has a launch weight of 49.8kg. The missile is equipped with a tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead capable of penetrating over 1350mm of rolled homogeneous steel armor protected by Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA). The Mokopa has a maximum range of 10km. Interestingly, the mmW seeker is most likely from the Brimstone AGM. Also, the 4 manouver surfaces are not a thing limited to the mmW Mokopa (anymore), as it is also seen on the normal laser guided Mokopa. Fun fact: The Rooivalk actually did carry Brimstones!

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Additional images

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^ Left is a mmW/IIR Mokopa, middle is a laser guided Mokopa and on the right is a Mistral

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^ Stripes indicate it is experimental (maybe inert too?)

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Sources:

Spoiler

Jane’s Air Launched Weapons 97

Jane’s A&A Upgrades 2006-07

Rooivalk Information Sheet

^ Also mentions the Mokopa mmW

Denel Dynamics Products Brochure

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The Market for Anti-Tank Missiles

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https://hrvatski-vojnik.hr/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/hv_009_95-04.pdf

The South African Air Force

Helicopter | Plane-Encyclopedia

https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/denel-ah2-rooivalk/?cf-view

Mokopa - Wikipedia

Denel CSH-2 Rooivalk

Index of /image/idop/ah/csh2

New Algerian Super Lynx nears delivery | News | Flight Global

You can also find my IIR variant suggestion here:

Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)

2 Likes

So on a new Rooivalk or on the one in game?

1 Like

Hopefully one we currently have or maybe a Rooivalk Mk.2 with all 3 Mokopa variants and
A-Darter. Been working on a forum to highlight all things wrong with SA vehicles, but will have to take a 2 week break with my family now

1 Like

Don’t see why not +1

2 Likes

And where are you getting this information from? Rooivalk Mk.2 is yet to even begin as a project and has no publicly announced goals or ideas.

1 Like

Perhaps it could be labeled as a Rooivalk Mk1.1 SLEP (Service Life Extension Programme)
This version of the Rooivalk could then feature Argos II gimbal from Hensoldt, as well as the other Mokopa variants or even the A-Darter if you really want to, however as far as I know the A-Darter has never been integrated and have only been placed on or near the Rooivalk for show as a potential capability for the SANDF or international customers looking to acquire the Rooivalk.

1 Like