The first Mwari precision strike aircraft deployed in Mozambique returned recently to Paramount’s aircraft production facility at Wonderboom Airport, in South Africa, for its major original equipment manufacturer inspection, also known as a C-check.

The aircraft, which was developed by Paramount Aerospace Industries, was deployed to the north of Mozambique in December 2022 and has since played a key role in counter-insurgency operations, providing reconnaissance and surveillance support.

Paramount completed pilot training with air crews from Mozambique and new crews have started their training this week.

The Mwari is the first new clean-sheet manned military aircraft in South Africa since the Rooivalk attack helicopter. The first flight of the experimental demonstrator was in July 2014, followed by the advanced demonstrator, which was built for testing weapons and mission systems.

The Mwari is marketed as a relatively inexpensive alternative to high-end military aircraft for surveillance, maritime patrol and counter-insurgency operations. It can also be used for training.

The Mwari has been designed to perform multiple missions owing to its interchangeable mission systems bay, located in the belly of the aircraft, providing plenty of sensor and payload options, which can be integrated and swapped out in less than two hours.

Open-architecture and flexible systems enable quick and low-cost integration of new pods, avionics, cargo, special mission equipment, weapons and sensors.

The PT6 turboprop-powered Mwari has a service ceiling of up to 31 000 ft, with a maximum cruise speed of 250 knots, a mission range of up to 550 nautical miles with ordinance and an overall endurance of up to six-and-a-half hours.

The aircraft also offers a short take-off and landing capability, with retractable landing gear optimised for both semi- and unprepared airstrips or sites.

Sensors and equipment that have already been fitted to the aircraft include Hensoldt’s Argos II electro-optical gimbal, Paramount Advanced Technologies’ 420 sensor ball, Thales’ Avni thermal reconnaissance system, Sysdel’s MiniRaven radar warning receiver and Reutech’s ACR510 radio, besides others.

Future options could include a synthetic aperture radar.