AAD 2022: Paramount secures Mwari launch customers

Paramount has secured sales for nine of its Mwari aircraft to multiple air forces. (Paramount Group)

South Africa's Paramount Aerospace Industries has secured launch customers for its Mwari light attack and surveillance aircraft, announcing on 21 September that nine of the twin-seat single-engined turboprops had been sold “to multiple air forces”.

Announcing the sales at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2022 defence exhibition near Pretoria, the subsidiary of Paramount Group said that deliveries to one of the undisclosed customers are under way.

Known as the Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Attack Aircraft (AHRLAC) during its development phase and as the Bronco II for its pitch into the US market, the Mwari is fitted with a nose-mounted electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret, as well as a modular Interchangeable Mission Systems Bay (IMSB) that can accommodate various ‘plug-and-play' payloads, while its stepped tandem cockpits are fitted with ‘glass' multifunctional display units as well as hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls. The aircraft's weapons fit comprises a variety of ‘dumb' and precision-guided munitions carried on six underwing hardpoints.

Performance specifications listed by the company give the Mwari a maximum cruise speed of 250 kt, a service ceiling of 31,000 ft, a mission range of 550 n miles with ordnance, an endurance of six hours, and a take-off distance of 550 m from unprepared airstrips.