Denel's OTB test range near Bredasdorp in the Western Cape has just successfully concluded a month-long flight test campaign in support of the German Air Force for its Taurus KEPD 350 precision standoff guided missile system. This is the fifth campaign conducted at OTB following the successful negotiation in 1999 of a multi-million rand umbrella contract
with the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung ( BWB) in support of the development programme of the weapon.

The German test team complimented OTB on the professional management of the test campaign and expressed the highest appreciation for the excellent support received from Denel's OTB staff and the South African Air Force (SAAF) during the campaign.

According to Dr Jan Malan, general manager of Denel's OTB facility, the decision by a discerning client country like Germany to opt for OTB for their flight test campaigns, is testimony to the recognition it enjoys in the international arena.

"This recent success again confirmed our ability to cater for evaluations of the most advanced weapon systems," Dr Malan added. "Denel is confident the German client will return to the OTB test range by the middle of next year for a follow-up campaign."

Two German Tornado fighter aircraft used during the test will return to Germany later this week from the SAAF's Air Base Overberg adjacent to Denel OTB. A US tanker aircraft will provide in-flight refuelling for the Tornado jets on their three-day journey from South Africa to Germany via Ascension Island and the Canary Islands. The almost 30 tons of equipment used in support of the test campaign, will be returned to Europe by charter flight over the next three weeks.

More than 30% of OTB's annual turnover is earned from international contracts. According to the German client OTB's test facilities and the SAAF's Air Base Overberg proved well integrated and on par with any of the international test ranges it has been using in the past.


BACKGROUND ON DENEL-OTB

Denel's OTB test range, for many years a key player in the South African defence industry, has over the past few years firmly established itself as a cost effective international test venue during numerous test campaigns for clients from Europe and the Far East. The Test Range has excellent measuring equipment, a large test arena of 43 000 ha on land with 70 km coastline and virtually unlimited sea area at its disposal.

Almost half of the 192 permanent staff is highly experienced technicians, engineers and scientists. These assets, together with the convenience of the runways and ground support services of the adjacent South African Air Force Air Base Overberg, combine to make the facility highly attractive to the international market. Denel OTB's capability to provide turnkey services throughout the year is especially sought by potential clients.

Since its establishment in the mid-1980s, Denel OTB has successfully and safely conducted more than 750 test series for the local and international aerospace industries. During 2000 the OTB test range received certification for the international ISO 14001 standard for environmental management. This complemented the ISO 9001 Quality System for which OTB has been certified since 1998 and which was recently upgraded to ISO 9001:2000.Adherence to these standards is a prerequisite for successful entry into global markets.