The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces have ordered a Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for the Presidential Guard.
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Seeker 400 showcased by Denel Dynamics during UMEX 2020 (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The order was announced by Staff Brigadier-General Mohammed Al Hassani, Official Spokesperson of the IDEX 2021 and NAVDEX 2021 exhibitions, on the first day of IDEX, in Abu Dhabi on 21 February. “The UAE Armed Forces confirmed deals with Denel SOC, trading as Denel Dynamics, to provide an unmanned drone system, Seeker 400 UAE, to the Presidential Guard Command with a value of AED 50 000 000.” he said.
The Seeker 400 is an unmanned aerial vehicle surveillance system designed and manufactured by the South African Company Denel Dynamics. The Seeker 400 is an evolution of the battle-proven Seeker II UAS. This self-contained system with operational spares offers: a large payload carrying capability; high-definition video imagery; real-time data acquisition and transmission to remote receivers; autonomous takeoff and landing capability; external wing hard points for carriage of external fuel tanks or weapons; multiple sensor payloads; manual and autonomous capability (flight control and payload control); brake-assisted ground operation; separate or combined shelter configurations for the Mission Control Unit (MCU) and Tracking and Communications Unit (TCU); and integration with customer-preferred payloads (such as Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
The whole system includes four to six UAVs, MCU (Mission Control Unit) and TCU (Tracking and Communications Unit) units, payloads, field support equipment and optional secondary MCU and TCU. The Mission Control Unit (MCU) is the main interface between the mission control crew and the UAV. Its functions include mission planning and simulation, UAV control and monitoring, communications control , and Dual Payload control. Workstations have identical hardware, with dedicated software enabling specific functions.
The Tracking and Communications Unit (TCU) of the Seeker 400 contains the dual redundant tracking and communications equipment that maintains contact with the UAV. It facilitates dual payload operation and transmission of high definition imagery. It is an unmanned, separate unit that can be located up to 200 m from the MCU, enabling it to be positioned for optimum LOS communication. The stand-alone TCU has the additional benefit of providing safety to the crew in the event of an air-to-ground weapon strike onto the TCU. The Seeker 400 could be armed with two Mokopa anti-tank missiles under each wing.
