Denel Dynamics Umbani
The Umbani (Ndebele/Zulu: lightning) is a precision-guided bomb kit manufactured by Denel Dynamics in South Africa. It consists of a number of modules fitted to NATO standard Mk81, Mk82 or Mk83 low drag free-fall bombs to convert them into guided glide bombs.
Denel Dynamics Umbani

Brent Best · From the photographer · CC0
- Name
- Umbani
- Field
- aerial bomb
- Region
- South Africa
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wikidata · Q5256887 · wikipedia · Denel Dynamics Umbani
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Umbani • Origin — South Africa • Is Ranged — yes • Is Missile — yes • Variants — See Variants • Propellant — Rocket motor • Guidance — Inertial guidance/GPS
Design
Design
The modular kit consists of a number units that are attached to a standard Mk80-series bomb. A guidance system and large tail fins are the most basic form of the system, optional folding wings and a rocket motor may be added to increase the stand-off range up to 120 km or add a low-level launch capability. Range using different configurations: • Standard bomb kit - 40 km • With folding wing kit - 120 km • With wing kit and Extended Range (ER) module - 200 km
Guidance
Guidance
The weapon's all-weather, day and night capability is due to the GPS–INS guidance system. Increasing accuracy to a claimed 3m CEP is possible by adding an imaging infrared or a semi-active laser seeker terminal guidance system.
Testing and qualification
Testing and qualification
The system was first tested on the Atlas Cheetah, later an Aerosud-owned former South African Air Force (SAAF) Dassault Mirage F1 was used after the Cheetah retired. The system has been integrated on the SAAF's BAE Hawk Mk120 lead-in fighter trainer aircraft. Qualification on the SAAF's Saab JAS 39 Gripen was not considered due to the high costs associated with integration on a supersonic aircraft. The Gripens have been armed with GBU-12 Paveway II bombs instead.
Sales
Sales
The manufacturer has expressed optimism at the export potential of the system following qualification on the Hawk as a number of air forces worldwide operate Hawks. An unnamed country has placed an order worth ZAR1.2 billion for the weapon. Although the SAAF has funded most of the development costs of the weapon system it has not yet placed a firm order for any. Tawazun Dynamics, the joint venture company created by Denel and Tawazun, has been awarded a US$492.74 million contract from the United Arab Emirates Air Force for precision guided munitions (PGMs) for its Mirage 2000-9 fighters. The fighter jets will receive the Tawazun Dynamics developed Al Tariq bomb guidance kit which is the renamed Denel Dynamics Umbani.
Joint venture
Joint venture
On September 20, 2012, at the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2012 show in Pretoria, South Africa, Denel Dynamics announced a joint venture with the EDGE Group of the United Arab Emirates. Their collaboration aims to develop and manufacture a range of precision weapons. The initial product from this partnership will be a variant of the Umbani known as the "Al-Tariq,"marking the inaugural offering from the newly established EDGE Group company.
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- South Africa
Named but not plotted · 1
Denel Dynamics Umbani is associated with South Africa.
Country
Literature
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Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Denel Dynamics Umbani, revision 1351147108 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Denel Dynamics. Umbani Brochure.
- 2.Flightglobal.com. Africa Aerospace and Defence - Debut appearance for Umbani guided bomb. 2004-09-28.
- 3.Martin, Guy. South African guided weapons defenceWeb. www.defenceweb.co.za. 2 September 2016.
- 4.DefenceWeb. Umbani becomes first SA weapon trailed off Hawk. 2011-07-28.
- 5.DefenceWeb. SAAF funds Umbani. 2011-09-06.
- 6.DefenceWeb. Umbani for Hawk. 2010-05-19.
- 7.Campbell, Keith. Creamer's Engineering News. Denel Dynamics markets high-tech missile offering to SANDF and friendly countries. Martin Creamer.
- 8.Ihs.com. Denel and Tawazun join forces - Africa Aerospace & Defence 2012 | IHS Jane's. 2012-09-21.
- 9.Al Tariq-LR (Long-Range) Precision-Guided Munition (PGM), UAE. Airforce Technology.
References
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Broader subject
1- aerial bombTerminology
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Denel Dynamics Umbani is connected to 1 other published record in the VALÉORINE Encyclopedia.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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