In a significant leap for South Africa’s airborne defense capabilities, an advanced electronic warfare (EW) pod developed by Sysdel, Armscor, the South African Air Force (SAAF), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was unveiled at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in September. This development marks a milestone in the country’s quest to enhance its electronic warfare capabilities.
The Acepod, designed by Sysdel of Centurion and supported by Armscor and the SAAF, is short for Airborne Countermeasure and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) Pod. This technology demonstrator, funded by the SAAF and acquisition agency Armscor, aims to develop and demonstrate advanced electronic warfare technology. Additionally, it provides crucial training to EW and radar personnel, enabling the SAAF to develop strategies and expertise in operating with jamming equipment.
Collaborative Efforts
Sysdel, specializing in the development, manufacture, and support of Electronic Warfare systems in the radar domain, led the original design of the Acepod Mk 1. The CSIR was brought in to support integration, specifically focusing on adapting the pod to the fast jet environment. This collaboration leveraged Sysdel’s electronic warfare expertise and the CSIR’s proficiency in aircraft integration, addressing challenges related to aerodynamics, physical constraints, and flight requirements.
One of the major hurdles during development was the pod’s size. Weighing 326 kilograms and stretching over three and a half meters in length, it is the heaviest payload ever integrated onto a South African Hawk. The limited ground clearance of the Hawk’s relatively low undercarriage posed additional challenges. To tackle this, the CSIR developed a custom trolley to safely load and mount the pod under the aircraft’s center pylon.
Cost-Effective Innovation
The integration process was completed at a fraction of the cost that would have been charged by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The CSIR’s work on the Acepod Mk 2 led to the development of a new methodology for integrating large payloads onto fast jets, which has since been patented.
Testing and Future Plans
The first flight test of the Acepod Mk 2 took place in March this year. Primary envelope expansion tests confirmed the pod’s compatibility with the Hawk, validating its structural and operational integrity in flight. The next phase, involving the testing of the pod’s actual jamming payload, is scheduled for early next year. This timeline depends on the availability of testing facilities in South Africa, including critical vibration tests that will further validate the pod’s performance.
The pod requires considerable support from the aircraft to function, drawing power from the Hawk to run its onboard systems. The collaborative effort between Sysdel, the CSIR, and the SAAF’s Test Flight and Development Centre (TFDC) was essential in overcoming these technical hurdles. The CSIR orchestrated the process in close coordination with the Air Force’s Directorate System Integrity.
A Leap Forward
The Acepod Mk 2 represents a major advancement in South Africa’s electronic warfare capabilities. The SAAF has never had access to such a powerful jamming pod. Once fully operational, the Acepod will significantly enhance the SAAF’s ability to conduct EW missions and safeguard its airspace against evolving threats. This development underscores South Africa’s commitment to advancing its defense technology and maintaining a robust defense posture.
As the project moves forward, the collaborative efforts of Sysdel, the CSIR, Armscor, and the SAAF continue to pave the way for cutting-edge innovations in electronic warfare, ensuring that South Africa remains at the forefront of military technology advancements.
