Aerospace group Boeing and South African privately owned defence and aerospace firm Paramount Group have expanded their 2014 agreement to cooperate on an advanced mission system for a variant of the advanced, high-performance, reconnaissance light aircraft (Ahrlac).
The high-wing, two-seater Ahrlac was designed to incorporate advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and weapons systems. Boeing would develop an integrated mission system for the aircraft, enabling ISR and light strike missions for the Ahrlac safety and security, and military, variants.
The militarised version would be known as Mwari.
“Working with Paramount, we will bring a flexible, persistent and affordable aircraft to the international market and develop world-class technology in Africa,” says Boeing military aircraft VP Jeffrey Johnson.
He adds that Boeing has examined the aircraft extensively and believes it has found an opportunity to expand into a new market for the company. Boeing will, along with Paramount, actively market the aircraft in the international market.
“Boeing has a worldwide footprint in parts and field services, as well as in logistics that we hope we can use in our portfolio of products from high-end costly fighters all the way down to cost- effective products,” Johnson says.