Wilhelm that sounds like a really interesting book, do you know where I can find a copy?

Sean, I think that the book only had a limited production run. I got in early!

A lot of the book has good, solid information, backed up by copious footnotes and/or information sources. There is, however, a lot of insinuations and conjecture, often with the hint that there is something substantial behind it. Not surprising once you consider the cross-pollination of ideas and technology between South Africa and other countries meant to be upholding the UN Arms Embargo. I’m sure that many of the sanctions busting/tech sharing would result in prosecutions today. Hence the reticement when it comes to Apartheid era weapons programmes. Somebody who saw the book before it was ‘censored’ said it had much more information in it. I think one of the authors worked on various projects within the defence establishment. For example, I have been in contact with a gentleman who has seen windtunnel models of the Cava/Carver and indeed worked on the project in a peripheral capacity. He still refuses to show any images!

The book is called “Those Who Had The Power” by Nicholas Paul Badenhorst and Pierre Lowe Victor. I ordered it through

http://www.victorlogistics.co.za/index.htm

Skua. Now a drone. Most probably designed as a cruise missile.

True … the book does deal with smaller , more advanced warheads that would have come to the fore a little later. I think the Integral project was a generic ramjet project designed to help with the technological application, and therefore helped with the AAM projects as well. I’ve no doubt a conventional warhead would have initially been employed to take out high value command and control targets.

The book also deals with other stand-off delivery projects such as MUPSOW, Raptor, and the Skua drone that most probably started off as a cruise missile. The stealth Flowchart UAV most likely would also have had a “lethal” precision strike version.

Impi, the book I mentioned above covers the various sizes of the initial warheads meant for the RSA-3 and RSA-4 ICBMs, as well as dealing with smaller nuclear warheads meant for aircraft delivery, either via Buccaneer, Cheetah D, Carver or even modified Boeing 707 using standoff weapons.

The dimensions given in the book for the Integral ASM state a length of 5.4meters, span of 1,2 meters and diametre of 0,36 meters. The book also states that Somchem started work on ramjet propulsion in 1986, funded by the CSIR. The first nozzle-less (127mm) boosters were tested in 1988, followed by 230mm calibre boosters. Three inert proof of concept vehicles powered by 127mm boosters were tested at Alkantpan Test Range in 1992. The test flights of solid-propelled prototype ramjets took place at Denel OTB in Feb 1994. These were 3.2 meter, 180mm calibre vehicles that attained Mach 2,3.

Above from “Those who had the Power” by Pierre Victor and Nick Badenhorst. I’m not sure of any results made public by any larger 5,4 meter ramjet missile. There is still a lot of secrecy surrounding Apartheid era weapons programmes…..

Picture as promised of the Integral ramjet ASM project by South Africa in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s. Probably nuclear armed to fulfill same role as the French ASMP…

Makes an interesting backround to various South African various ramjet AAM projects. The images are from “Those Who Had The Power” by Pierre Victor. The book deals with South Africa’s various nuclear weapons and delivery programmes.

Many thanks for all your help gentlemen..