The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is currently developing a new, low-cost target drone for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). According to a DefenceWeb article, it is known as Project Swift. This initiative seeks to replace ageing hardware and provide the South African Army with the tools necessary to counter modern aerial threats, including the proliferation of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and coordinated drone swarms.
For decades, the SANDF relied on the Denel LOCATS (Low Cost Aerial Target System) for air defence artillery training. Introduced into service in 1991 following a development cycle that began in 1989, the LOCATS featured a 3.2-meter wingspan and a propeller-driven engine capable of reaching speeds up to 310 km/h. While successful for gunnery practice and missile development, the system is hindered by a heavy logistical footprint. LOCATS requires a dedicated truck-mounted rail launcher and is recovered via parachute, making its deployment in austere environments a complex undertaking.
Complementing the LOCATS was the Denel Skua, a high-speed, turbojet-powered drone designed to simulate faster threats for surface-to-air and air-to-air engagements. However, the Department of Defence (DoD) has exhausted its inventory of these drones. This capability gap led to the inception of Project Loki, a high-speed target drone demonstrator first unveiled by Denel Dynamics at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2022 exhibition.
Project Loki represents a more sophisticated tier of target simulation. The 180 kg vehicle measures 3.2 meters in length with a 2.45-meter wingspan. Powered by two TJ40-G1 turbojet engines, each providing 40 kg of thrust, it can reach speeds of 630 km/h and altitudes of 8,000 meters. Its modular design allows for the integration of infrared emitters, Luneburg lenses to enhance radar cross-section, and electronic warfare payloads such as chaff or flares. Unlike the newer VTOL concepts, Loki still utilises a hydro-pneumatic launcher designed by the CSIR and a parachute recovery system.
Project Swift represents a departure from these traditional launch-and-recovery methods. Under the leadership of Senior Project Manager Tshegofatso Teane and Principal Researcher Adrian Niken, the CSIR is prioritising a phased development approach to ensure the final product meets specific user requirements. The project is currently in its first phase, focused on a technology demonstrator.
The core innovation of Project Swift is the adoption of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) technology. During the SA Army’s Exercise Vukuhlome in November 2025, the CSIR demonstrated this concept using an international commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform known as the Swan. The Swan is a tail-sitter fixed-wing drone that transitions from a vertical launch to horizontal flight.
Kevin Jamison, Head Engineer of Aerospace Systems at the CSIR, told DefenceWeb that the VTOL configuration drastically reduces the logistics footprint. Traditional systems like LOCATS require a specialised launch rail and a larger support crew. In contrast, an electric VTOL system can be operated by a team of just two: a pilot and a drone technician. This entire unit, including the aircraft and control station, can be transported in a single vehicle and launched from nearly any flat surface. This mobility was proven at Vukuhlome 2025, where the Swan was launched directly within the exercise area, a feat that would be impossible for rail-dependent systems.
Addressing emerging threats
The shift toward smaller, more agile target drones is a direct response to battlefield observations. SANDF personnel deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reported encounters with insurgents using small UAVs to drop grenades. These “low-slow-small” threats are difficult to track with traditional radar and require specialised training for air defence crews.
The Swift drone is being developed to simulate these tactical threats as well as more complex scenarios like saturation attacks and drone swarming. While the Swan served as a conceptual demonstrator, the production version of the Swift drone will be larger, featuring a three-meter wingspan. To maintain the “low-cost” mandate of the project, the CSIR is leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing. This allows for rapid prototyping and the ability to produce large quantities of airframes at a fraction of the cost of traditional composite or metal structures.
The development of Project Swift is occurring within a broader context of South African defence industrial cooperation. In January 2026, the CSIR and Denel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise a partnership in research and technology development. This agreement is intended to modernise the domestic industrial base and create a structured framework for commercialising new defence technologies.
The CSIR expects to operate advanced development models of the Swift drone later in 2026. These models will likely see further participation in major force preparation exercises, potentially including the next iteration of Exercise Vukuhlome in November. This phased rollout ensures that the SANDF can provide continuous feedback, allowing the CSIR to refine the flight control software and sensor payloads before full-scale production begins.
The combination of the high-speed Loki and the low-cost, VTOL Swift will provide the SANDF with a comprehensive training spectrum. It allows air defence units to prepare for everything from high-speed jet threats to the asymmetric challenge of small, weaponised commercial drones. By investing in these indigenous projects, South Africa is ensuring that its defence forces remain prepared for the realities of modern warfare while revitalising its domestic aerospace sector through clever engineering and strategic partnerships.