TheZT-6 Mokopa is a South African air-to-groundanti-tank guided missile.^[1] As of 2005^[update], it is in its final stages of development, and is being integrated onto theSouth African Air Force'sRooivalk attackhelicopters. The missile is produced byDenel Dynamics, formerly Kentron. The current version usessemi-active laser (SAL) guidance, requiring the target to be illuminated by alaser designator either on the launch platform or elsewhere; though there are alternative guidance packages available including a millimetre-waveradar (MMW) seeker and a two-colour imaginginfrared (IIR) seeker.^[2]

Mokopa
Mokopa laser guided anti-tank missile
Type	Air-to-surface
Place of origin	South Africa
Production history
Manufacturer	Denel Dynamics
Produced	1996–present
No. built	74 (2009)[1]
Specifications
Mass	49.8 kg (110 lb)[2]
Length	1.995 m (6.55 ft)
Diameter	17.8 cm (7.0 in)
Warhead	Tandem-chargehigh-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) able to penetrate > 1000+ mmRHA; Blast Fragmentation
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	10,000 m (6.2 mi)
Maximum speed	530 m/s (1,200 mph)
Guidance system	Semi-active laser homing millimetre wave radar seeker
Launch platform	Fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, ground vehicles, boats, ships

All variants of the Mokopa feature two launch modes, lock-on before launch (LOBL) andlock-on after launch (LOAL). LOBL is the older, more conventional mode of missile launching, where a target must be illuminated by the launch platform before launch. LOAL in contrast allows the launch platform to launch the missile with or without being in sight of the target. For the SAL version, this allows either the launch platform to move into place and illuminate the target only immediately before a missile strikes a target, or allows an observer on the ground equipped with a laser designator to guide a missile. This method of launch greatly reduces the exposure time of the launch platform to enemy fire.

Full scale development of the Mokopa began in November 1996, due to a long-term United States arms embargo against South Africa blocking acquisition of the USAGM-114 Hellfire.^[3] The first air-launched tests from a Rooivalk helicopter took place in 1999, with the first guided tests following in 2000. As of 2005 the missile's development is virtually complete, and the first batches are currently being delivered to the SA Air Force's Rooivalk squadron. However, due to budgetary constraints theSouth African Air Force has decided to stop the integration of the weapon onto theRooivalk until an unspecified date.^[2]

Though mainly designed to be launched from a helicopter, the Mokopa has been tested on a variety of platforms, including mounting it on light armoured vehicles, ships, and small boats. For the latter purpose, the Mokopa is available with ananti-ship warhead.^[3]

The Mokopa uses a powerfultandemshaped charge,high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT)warhead, able to penetrate over 1,000 mm (3.3 ft) (tests show over 1,000 mm) ofrolled homogeneous armour (RHA), and also effective againstexplosive reactive armour (ERA). Thus, the Mokopa can counter any current vehicle armour threats.^[4]

An anti-ship warhead is also available for customers who wish to use the Mokopa as a ship-board defence weapon, or as the armament of specialised ship-board helicopters.

The missile is considered to be very accurate, with an accuracy believed to match that of the company's other anti-tank missile, theIngwe, at around 300 mmCEP at maximum range.^[3]

It also has a long range for an anti-tank missile; at 10 km (6.2 mi) it is greater than the published range of most current competitors, including theHellfire. The range is achieved due to an advanced solid-fuel compositerocket motor (developed by Somchem), which has a relatively slow burning rate compared to similar motors, as well as being essentially smokeless.

•  Algerian National Navy –In 2012 Algeria also ordered 100 Mokopa anti-tank missiles in 2012 under aR360 million deal, according to SIPRI. These are destined for use aboard its Lynx naval helicopters that will be deployed on its new Meko A-200 frigates.^[5] According toFlightglobal, the Algerian Navy's six newSuper Lynx 300-series helicopters were conducting flight tests in 2014 armed with Mokopa anti-armour missiles.^[6]

• List of missiles

• AGM-114 Hellfire – (United States)
• Brimstone – (United Kingdom)
• Barq – (Pakistan)

• Official website, Denel Dynamics
• Denel Dynamics Product Brochures (PDF)