PROVIDING UNMATCHED SUSTAINABLE DEFENCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE NATION
The Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (Armscor) is an acquisition agency for the South African Department of Defence.
Its mandate is to provide armed forces with the state-of-the-art defence materiél required to provide safety and security for South Africa, its citizens and the continent. The organisation plays an important role in providing the defence forces with proper resources to execute their duties efficiently and effectively. Over the years Armscor has seen its technologies evolving from the defence sector to both commercial and domestic sectors. It has capabilities and skills to meet the needs of the changing global landscape.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Through its research and development, Armscor is able to conduct defence and scientific research, test and evaluation services, technology management, analysis and industrialisation, and intellectual property management services. The organisation has the capability to perform an independent, centralised coordination and management role for technology acquisition and technology commercialisation.
Some of its research and development capabilities include:
Gerotek test facility
This facility is located about 20 kilometres west of Pretoria in Gauteng. Gerotek has the ability to test and evaluate the performance of vehicles in terms of speed, braking, fuel consumption, acceleration and power output. Mobility tests are conducted to measure off-road mobility, step climbing, gradient ability and ditch crossing. Furthermore, homologation tests are conducted to determine centre of gravity, speedometer calibration, stationary noise and brakes performance. These state-of-the-art tracks are able to determine both endurance and reliability of vehicles irrespective of size. A wide range of test measurements such as strain, temperature, vibration, pressure and displacement can be supported from the instrumentation to data processing phase. Gerotek is an ISO17025 international accredited test facility providing repeatable, scientific vehicle and product testing services to the industry. This is an indication that Gerotek is competent to conduct testing and that the results generated are valid and reliable. It is also evidence that this facility conforms to international standards with regards to testing and sampling. The facility offers testing support services in the form of test planning, import and export of test vehicles and equipment, providing workshops and accompanying test teams. The Gerotek test team consists of highly motivated, qualified engineers and technicians. They possess many years of testing experience.
Services offered include:
• Advanced defensive and offensive driver training • Basic off-road (4x4) course
• Hosting corporate events
• Product promotions
• Restaurant facility
• Conference facilities
• Adventure team building events.
Institute for Maritime Technology
The Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT) is a multidisciplinary ISO 9001 2015 division specialising in technomilitary research and development, as well as specialised products and services. IMT provides services to the South African National Defence Force (primarily to the SA Navy),
government departments, defence industry, the broader maritime community and other clients as part of its commercial initiatives.
Through the combined expertise and dedication of professional staff, IMT today provides a techno-scientific foundation for the exploration, conceptualisation, improvement, modernisation, in-service engineering, and maintenance of systems that ensure that the SA Navy accomplishes its national maritime role and responsibilities in an optimum manner.
The facilities at IMT include two large acoustic test tanks, acoustic and magnetic measurement facilities, radar and infrared evaluation ranges, small survey vessels, mechanical and electronic laboratories, as well as a library specialising in maritime subjects.
Some of IMT’s signature projects
• Underwater locator beacon system
In collaboration with the SA Navy, the division designed and developed a system to detect an Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) ”pinger”, which is fitted to the cockpit voice and flight data recorders found on large civilian aircrafts. This demonstrator system - the Underwater Locator Beacon Detection System (also known as a Ping Locator) has been developed to detect underwater pulses from an ULB. This invention demonstrates IMT’s capability to provide innovative maritime solutions.
• Ultrasonic broken rail detector system
This system automatically detects breaks in railway lines to prevent the derailment of trains. This is a unique Armscor owned IP in collaboration with the CSIR supplying the transducer and with Transnet as the primary client. Test and evaluations with Indian Railways are still underway.
• Shark repellent system
IMT, in partnership with KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, developed a shark repellent system to protect sharks and other marine animals. This system replaces nets used to control marine wildlife. It creates a barrier that separates bathers from sharks without harming or killing them.
NAVAL DOCKYARD
One of the key strategic facilities of Armscor is the Naval Dockyard situated in Simon’s Town, Western Cape. Armscor Dockyard provides repair and maintenance services to the SA Navy on various configurations of product systems from tugs, small craft, frigates and submarines. Maintenance and repair services cover both planned and ad-hoc projects. It is one of South Africa’s strategic national capabilities, where the country’s naval defence maintenance, repair and overall capabilities are housed.
The Armscor dockyard operates one of the five dry docks available in South Africa. It also manages two of the three syncrolifts available nationwide. The facility has the capacity to generate seven megawatts of electricity, fresh water and compressed air. It is 228 metres by 29 metres in size and can be divided into three sub-docks. The ship lift facility has the capacity to lift vessels up to 2 500 tonnes.
The facility is responsible for establishing, maintaining and developing an infrastructure to provide the following services:
• Vessel refitting, repair and modernisation • Engineering changes
• Shore establishments
• Technical Training Support • Projects/Planning Service.
Armscor is geared towards providing unmatched sustainable defence solutions to all its clients - both current and potential - on the African continent and globally. Recent success has seen the conversion of some of these traditional defence technologies in application and use in a myriad of other industries and situations, thus affirming Armscor’s ability to remain relevant and in the forefront in an ever changing world.