Advanced Technologies & Engineering - Avionics, Navigation, Weapon Systems and Upgrades for Military Aircraft

ATE is a private, independent South African defence systems company and is the approved supplier to Thales (France), BAE Systems (UK) and Armscor (South Africa). With ISO: 9001 accreditation by BVQI (UK), ATE was announced category winner in the National Technology Top 100 competition in Nov 2006 and again in Feb 2008, whilst also receiving presidential awards for export achievements.

ATE specialises in the Integration of Mission Systems by upgrading military platforms and developing new military systems customised to client requirements.

BASIC TRAINER AVIONICS

ATE was contracted as prime avionics contractor for the South African Air Force's Pilatus Astra PC7- MkII basic trainer aircraft.

ADVANCED TRAINER AVIONICS

BAE Systems contracted ATE as prime avionics contractor for the Hawk Mk120 Lead-in-Fighter-Trainer of the South African Air Force. ATE developed the navigation and weapons system, which includes a Smart Head-Up Display (SHUD) with full navigation, air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon-aiming formats for combat training.

The avionics system also includes three interchangeable-colour Multi Function Displays (MFDs), an up-front control panel, Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) controls, voice recording, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Electronic Warfare (EW), and a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).

ATE developed all the embedded software according to international standard RTCA/DO-178B for Flight Critical Software (Level A and B), which comprised more than one million lines of code which was certified by BAE Systems as the certification authority.

BAE Systems is in the process of transferring the avionics design authority to ATE, which would allow ATE to upgrade Hawk Avionics internationally.

FIGHTER AVIONICS UPGRADES

ATE's first NATO contract was as prime avionics contractor to Thomson-CSF (now Thales) for the upgrade of the navigation and weapons system for the Spanish Air Force’s Mirage F1 fighter aircraft fleet.

ATE is now short-listed for major Mirage upgrade programmes for three international Air Forces.

TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT AVIONICS

ATE was contracted by an international Air Force to upgrade the avionics system of its C-130 transport aircraft fleet.

RUSSIAN Mi-24 SUPERHIND UPGRADE

ATE was contracted by a North African Air Force to upgrade their fleet of Russian Mi-24 helicopters. This included equipping the aircraft with day/night sights for target acquisition, 20mm turreted cannon, helmet sights, night vision goggles, INGWE anti-tank missiles, formation lights and chaff-and-flare dispensers.

Additionally, ATE restructured the entire logistic support process of the Mi-24 helicopter from the previous Russian-based system to a more modern Western-based system. ATE has now been contracted for renewed maintenance / repairs supply.

COMPOSITE HELICOPTER BLADES

ATE launched a programme to develop a fully composite main rotor blade for Mi-24 helicopters. The composite blade provides an unlimited shelf life and unlimited operating life, compared to its metal counterpart.

RUSSIAN Mi-17 HELICOPTER UPGRADE

ATE has initiated a demonstrator programme to upgrade Russian Mi-17 helicopters with a new glass cockpit avionics system. The demonstrator flights and evaluation by the client is expected by February 2008, where after the retrofit of its fleet of Mi-17 helicopters is expected.

ORYX (SUPER PUMA) COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

ATE has been contracted by Denel Aviation (South Africa) for the development of a communications system for the ORYX (Super Puma) helicopters of the South African Air Force, similar to that which was recently delivered for the Rooivalk helicopter fleet.

VULTURE TACTICAL UAV

ATE was contracted by Armscor to develop and produce the Vulture Tactical UAV to perform artillery targeting. Fully automated in launch, flight and recovery, Vulture can also execute day / night reconnaissance at a range of 200km.

ATE has also been successful in securing its first export contract for Vulture to an Asian client.

KIWIT MINI UAV

ATE has developed the KIWIT Mini UAV as a hand launched, auto flight/auto recovery UAV for application by infantry, special forces and crime prevention services.

LAND VEHICLES

ATE has upgraded the Russian BMP-1 Infantry Combat Vehicle and the Russian T-72 Main Battle Tank with new mission systems, giving both the ability to fire whilst moving, on to a moving target, at night.