Test Ranges In South Africa

AS AIRSPACE IN EUROPE, the US, Asia and many other parts gets more congested, defence forces and industry find it more difficult to undertake testing of advanced weapon and aviation systems. Environmental and commercial concerns also impose stringent limitations, rendering many areas unsuitable or impractical. That is where the OTB test range in South Africa comes into its own.

Its name is derived from the Afrikaans Overberg Toetsbaan (test range), and the OTB division of South Africa’s Denel Group has chalked up almost 700 successful test series for domestic and international clients since its establishment in the mid-1980s. But what makes OTB such a suitable test site? For one, OTB hums with state-of-the-art high technology. Add to that 70km of coastline on the remote southernmost point of the African continent that affords access to a virtually unlimited sea arena. Combined with a large overland area of about 43,000ha, it provides an ideal environment for advanced tests over land and sea.

Located far from commercial air and sea routes, OTB can offer clients almost unrestricted testing of missiles and guided-weapons systems. Adjacent to OTB is South African Air Force’s sophisticated Test Flight and Development Centre (TFDC) whose facilities and equipment also are available to OTB’s clients. These include a 3,000m runway and an instrumented testbed aircraft.

Since OTB was commissioned more than 15 years ago, significant upgrades have been made to enhance its capabilities as an integrated facility with the flexibility to allow multipurpose applications. OTB can execute any combination of air, ground and sea flight tests. Its telemetry receivers now handle increased volumes of data transmitted from new generation weapons. Video links were added for transmission of video footage from missile seekers or HUDs to ground stations and various upgrades for the distribution of real-time data via LAN, digital recording of data and the provision of telemetry data on CD-ROM.

OTB’s precision instrumentation radars have been given extended tracking range. While tracking targets over large distances – a requirement during tests of modern standoff weapons – OTB’s equipment has the capability to track cruise missiles at low altitude as well as multiple targets. Improvements to OTB’s optical systems included installation of a new auto-tracker in the optical trackmount and the addition of two Ascania cinetheodolites to the already existing four mobile cinetheodolites on the range. State-of-the-art fast video and near-infrared cameras also are being commissioned.

Upgrading of the central computer software enables the tracking of any number of targets, a capability that is especially useful for test scenarios requiring formation flights or multiple launches against incoming missiles. Hardly surprising therefore, that Germany recently opted to test its Taurus KEPD-350 stand-off missile at OTB. The German Navy, in joint exercises with its South African counterpart, used OTB’s facilities in June 2000 for live firings of Exocet, Sea-Sparrow and other missiles.

As part of a long-term contract the BWB (Bundesampt Wehrtechnic und Beschaffung) entered into with OTB in 1999, three test campaigns already have been conducted, the latest one in November 2002. To use the range for the Taurus test campaign, two German Air Force Tornado aircraft were ferried more than 10,000km from Europe to South Africa. The South African Air Force (SAAF) supported the ferry with its in-flight refuelling capability using Boeing 707 tanker aircraft.

The TAURUS Systems GmbH company, a joint venture between EADS/ LFK-Lenkflugkarpersysteme and SAAB Bofors Dynamics, pronounced the latest free-flight tests of the Taurus at OTB ‘a complete success’. According to the German consortium, the weapon’s capabilities and operational performance were successfully demonstrated over a wide spectrum of flight profiles. It carried out terrain-following flight at an extremely low level and a high pop-up manoeuvre. Finally, the hit accuracy and the penetration effectiveness of the inert warhead system also were impressively confirmed. As OTB’s focus is mainly on evaluation of flight performance rather than the destructive power of weapons, the majority of firings are performed with inert warheads and/or telemetry packs.

Undoubtedly this test philosophy and its continuing insistence on the highest standards of environmental management, contributed to OTB receiving ISO14001 environmental certification. Says OTB General Manager, Dr Jan Malan: “While the environment around our facility always has been important to us, this being a very sensitive ecological area, I believe ISO9001 together with ISO14001 certification underline OTB’s commitment to quality service within the boundaries of good environmental management. Adherence to international quality standards is essential because we are experiencing significant interest from discerning international clients.”

Of the 1,500 plant species, 50 different mammal species and almost 300 species of bird at OTB and adjacent De Hoop Nature Reserve, many are rare or listed as endangered. These include the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra and Black Oystercatcher. Along with De Hoop, the Denel facility manages the largest pure Bontebok antelope herd in the world and is probably the most important formal conservation area for the species-rich Limestone Fynbos (fine brush vegetation). Arguably one of the first organisations in South Africa to implement the principles of a government-recommended integrated environmental management system, OTB has been working closely with conservation and other specialist organisations in preserving the cultural, historical and archaeological heritage on the site, as well as preventing pollution and the eradication of invasive plants.

Successful testing for clients ranging from the Czech Republic and Singapore to the UK, Sweden and Germany have brought to light this jewel of today’s test ranges. OTB’s impressive array of measuring systems, sophisticated support facilities, experienced personnel and unique location make it one of the best and most effective ranges available. What of the future?

With its origins linked to South Africa’s erstwhile space programme, OTB remains suitable for satellite launch support. It can provide all the elements of TT&C; (tracking, telemetry and command) and is situated in a prime location for east and south bound space missions of sun-synchronous and polar-orbiting spacecraft. Other space-related facilities include launch-vehicle and satellite preparation areas, integration and checkout rooms as well as a launch pad. Concludes Dr Jan Malan: “OTB has always managed to keep pace with the changing demands of its users. With the high premium we place on the quality and integrity of our services, OTB is set to continue exceeding everyone’s expectations.”