page_title: Denel Dynamics Bateleur
section_title: Roles and missions
hierarchical_section_title: Denel Dynamics Bateleur / Roles and missions
caption_attribution_description: Denel Aerospace Systems Bateleur UAV at Africa Aerospace &amp; Defence 2004
context_page_description: The Bateleur is an unmanned aerial vehicle prototype designed and built by Denel Dynamics. It has been designed as a MALE UAV, with its primary role being surveillance, with a secondary signals intelligence capability.
  Development began in 2003 as a totally in-house and private-venture project, being developed with internal company funds. The first prototype was expected to fly in early 2006 but as of 2010 this has not yet happened. The aircraft was included in a Brazilian Air Force RFP for UAVs in early 2009, though as of 2010 the competition has not been concluded. The South African National Defence Force has expressed interest in the system, but requested in 2006 that the cost of the system be reduced before an acquisition could be considered. In 2008, the South African Air Force announced a project, named Itambo, to acquire a MALE UAV in the 2008-2012 timeframe, with the Bateleur presumed to be a front-runner.
  The entire aircraft is constructed using a modular construction system, making future adaptations of the airframe for increased range or larger payloads simpler than would be possible with a rigid airframe.
context_section_description: Roles and Missions
  Real-time day and night (E/O and IR) surveillance
  Electronic and Communications Intelligence gathering (ELINT and COMINT)
  Airborne communications relay
  Military and paramilitary photo reconnaissance
  Target location and laser designation
  Maritime and coastal patrol
  Border patrol
  Search and rescue
  Battlefield surveillance
  Artillery fire support
  Damage assessment
caption: Bateleur at Africa Aerospace & Defence 2004
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