AAD 2018: South Africa's MILKOR Launches MN Centurion Interceptor.

During AAD 2018, the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition held this week in South Africa, local company MILKOR announced that its MN Centurion high-speed interceptor craft has already been launched and is currently conducting sea trials. The MILKOR stand features a full scale model of the MN Centurion. Navy Recognition first reported about this new design during DSA 2018, when it was unveiled.

MN Centurion on display on MILKOR stand during AAD 2018

The Milkor high-speed interceptor craft is a 12m stepped hull, hydrofoil-assisted catamaran design with lightweight composite structure and a reduced radar signature. Designed and configured for multi-role operations, it is ideally suited for long endurance missions. The command and control bridge is shock-mitigated, ballistic-protected and airconditioned able to house the crew in safety and comfort. The high-speed interceptor craft houses an array of surveillance equipment, communications equipment and weapons giving it a full spectrum of capabilities for any inshore or offshore operation. Milkor designs, manufactures and offers after sales service for Naval and Commercial requirements.

The high-speed interceptor craft with its hydrofoil-assisted stepped hull design is able to achieve a high interception speed whilst retaining stability and control. This design also enables a high lift to drag ratio at top speed increasing fuel efficiency and endurance.

The command and control bridge houses world class communications and surveillance equipment, along with its reduced radar signature hull, giving this craft the advantage for surveillance patrol, counter-piracy, and asset protection missions. It remains the heart of this craft providing the comfort of an airconditioned shock-mitigated cabin for rough conditions. With ballistic protection and armoured glass, the crew is able to remain secure under threat allowing full attentiveness to the mission.

MN Centurion on display on MILKOR stand during AAD 2018

The vessel has a length of 12 meters, a beam of 4;8 meters and a displacement of 10 tons. It can reach a top speed of 54 knots. While the scale model on display at DSA 2018 showed the craft fitted with a 40mm AGL by ST Kinetics (under a stealth cupola) at the bow, the full scale model on display at AAD is fitted with a remote weapon station on top of the pilothouse. The vessel can also be configured to operate as an Unmanned Surface Vehicle. Its maximum range is 1,700 nautical miles, with an endurance of 14 days at sea.

Milkor is a South African defence company which was established in 1981 as an original designer and manufacturer of the hand held 40mm Multiple Grenade Launcher weapon systems. Over the past 36 years, Milkor has supplied in excess of 60,000 weapons to more than 60 countries worldwide to military and law enforcement ranging for lethal to less-lethal.