Armscor – Providing Cost Effective And Efficient Defence Solutions

About Armscor

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.

Armscor has extensive experience in product development, technology development, enhancement, sustainment and disposal of products. The organisation has world-class facilities that can be used by both local and international clients to test and evaluate the performance of their defence and security related products. Armscor prides itself on maintaining high-quality international standards through rigorous testing and evaluation processes on all its technology management projects.

Armscor’s expertise

One of Armscor’s core businesses is Research and Development (R&D). The R&D unit provides scientific research, test and evaluation services and technology management, analysis and innovation management services. The organisation has capability to perform independent, centralised coordination and management role for technology acquisition and technology commercialisation.

Some of Armscor’s research and development facilities include:

DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTES

Institute for Maritime Technology

The Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT) located in Simon’s Town (Cape Town) specialises in defence research, development, testing and evaluation of maritime systems. The division plays a key role in developing and maintaining a sustainable technology capability for providing techno-military expertise in support of naval decision-making. IMT also has capacity to provide services to broader maritime community and other clients as part of its commercial initiatives. Some of its specialities include above water sensors, underwater sensors systems and applied sciences.

Protechnik Laboratories

This is where biomedical studies focussing on characterisation and identification techniques for Biological Warfare Agents are undertaken. It is an applied chemistry/biochemistry facility with the primary focus on Chemical and Biological (CB) Defence Research and Development. Specialised fields of research include:

• Detection
• Warning and identification of trace amounts of hazardous chemicals
• Protection of Personnel in Chemically Hazardous Environments (Respiratory, Body and Collective Protection)
• Decontamination/Detoxification of chemical/biological agents
• Synthesis of test compounds and Chemical Verification standards in support of commitments to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Ergonomics Technologies

Armscor is recognised as a leader in ergonomics research both locally and internationally. Through its facility ERGOnomics TECHnologies (ERGOTECH) based in Centurion, Gauteng, Armscor provides a comprehensive range of services in ergonomics (human factors) and occupational health and safety to the South African National Defence Force and commercial clients. The services offered are focused on three interlinked domains, namely:

• Research and databases
• Design and specification
• Test and evaluation

ERGOTECH adopts a holistic approach focused on the application of ERGOTECH’s capabilities to provide human-centred solutions that optimise human performance and efficiency.

Hazmat Protective Systems

Hazmat situated in Centurion, Pretoria (Gauteng province) manufactures and markets a comprehensive range of filter cartridges, canisters, half and full face masks to protect individuals against respiratory health hazards. It also manufactures impregnated activated carbon, which is used as one of the primary filter materials in the manufacturing of air-purifying respiratory filters. Hazmat has a state-of-the-art carbon impregnation plant that provides it with a competitive advantage in the manufacturing of respiratory filters. These products are suitable for both military and commercial sectors.

TEST AND EVALUATION FACILITIES

Alkantpan Test Range

Alkantpan Test Range is located about 70 kilometres outside Prieska in the Northern Cape, in a small town called Copperton. This facility is a one-stop shop for clients who want to test and evaluate their weapons and ammunition. It has six test sites and a demolition site suitable to accommodate various sizes of weapons and ammunition. The range is about 67km in length and 15km wide. It is located in a sparsely populated semi desert area.

Alkantpan offers more than just ballistic test services. From the landing strip, ammunition assembly, firing sites to the end results of the test analysis all is possible at Alkantpan.

Gerotek Test Facility

This facility is located about 20 kilometres west of Pretoria in the Gauteng province. Gerotek allows clients 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 a centre of gravity, speedometer calibration, stationery 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. Advanced driver training, corporate events, restaurant and conference facilities are also offered.

DEFENCE DECISION SUPPORT INSTITUTE

Defence Decision Support Institute (DDSI) renders defence analysis, engineering support, decision support, operational research and capability analysis services to defence practitioners in the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, focusing on the high system levels (level 5+) over the total life cycle of defence capabilities.

DDSI comprises a team of scientists, engineers and operational specialists that renders a broad range of services, described below. The scope of services includes, but not limited to, the following:

• Policy Analysis
• War and Conflict studies
• Environmental Analysis
• Defence Capability Analysis
• Weapon System Analysis
• Operational Analysis
• Process Development and Support
• Products System Management Support
• Integrated Logistic Support Management Services
• Systems and Logistics Engineering Services

Services are delivered on the basis of a Centre of Excellence, benchmarked against international norms and practices, and applying multi-and inter-disciplinary methodologies with a joint and integrated focus. In terms of size, structure and capabilities, DDSI reflects and can be tailored to the current and future requirements of the client environment as required.

Armscor is geared towards providing unmatched sustainable defence solutions to all its clients or potential clients in 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 forefront, in an ever changing world.

For more information contact:

Corporate Communications Division

Private Bag X337, Pretoria, 0001, Republic of South Africa

Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 1911

E-mail:  info@armscor.co.za

www.armscor.co.za