Denel Rooivalk

Denel Rooivalk Attack Helicopter

The Denel Ruivalk (previously designated AH-2 and CSH-2) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. The name "Roivalk" is Afrikaans for "red falcon", referring to the little kestrel.

The South African Rooivalk is based on French Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. As such, the design is highly dependent on French technology and spare parts. With the bold intention of manufacturing one of the best attack helicopters globally, Denel Aviation succeeded in producing an aircraft on par with its rivals. Armed with highly sophisticated indigenous Mokopa anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), the Rooivalk outmatches everything South Africa could potentially face in its geopolitical region. 

With only 12 examples produced and financial difficulties shadowing operational readiness, the Rooivalk is a far-reaching idea, but Denel’s technological reach somewhat exceeds its grasp. 

 Let’s delve into some details about this impressive aircraft:

1. Development Origins:

   • The Rooivalk project began in early 1984 under the auspices of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, a predecessor of Denel Aviation.
   • Faced with the increasingly conventional nature of the South African Border War, the South African Defence Force recognized the need for a dedicated attack helicopter.
   • The helicopter was designed to escort helicopter troop transports, conduct strike missions against anti-aircraft positions, and effectively counter the increasing presence of Soviet tanks.
   • Due to an arms embargo enacted by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 418, foreign combat helicopters could not be imported into South Africa.
   • Instead of designing an entirely new helicopter from scratch, the decision was made to base the attack helicopter upon an existing design.

2. Design and Features:

   • The Rooivalk is based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopter.
   • It supports a diverse range of weaponry, including missiles, rockets, cannon, and machine guns.
   • The helicopter’s primary missions include anti-armour, ground suppression, anti-helicopter, ferry, reconnaissance, and counter-insurgency operations.
   • Key specifications:
     • Main Rotor Diameter: 15,580 mm.
     • Overall Height: 18,732 mm.

3. Operational Service:

   • The South African Air Force (SAAF) ordered 12 Rooivalk AH-2As (designated Rooivalk Mk 1 in SAAF service).
   • The first Rooivalk helicopters officially entered service in July 1999.
   • These helicopters are flown by 16 Squadron, based at AFB Bloemspruit near Bloemfontein.

The Rooivalk stands as Africa’s only indigenous attack helicopter, a testament to South Africa’s engineering prowess despite the challenges posed by the arms embargo.

Specification

• Crew: 2 (pilot & weapon systems officer)
• Length: 18.73 m (61 ft 5 in) overall 16.39 m (54 ft) fuselage only
• Height: 5.19 m (17 ft 0 in)
• Empty weight: 5,730 kg (12,632 lb)
• Gross weight: 7,500 kg (16,535 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 8,750 kg (19,290 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 1,854 L (490 US gal; 408 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshaft engines, 1,420 kW (1,900 hp) each
• Main rotor diameter: × 15.58 m (51 ft 1 in)
• Main rotor area: 190.6 m² (2,052 sq ft)
• Blade section: NACA 0015

  performance overview

• Cruise speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 nmi) at sea level (max cruise)
• Never exceed speed: 309 km/h (192 mph, 167 nmi)
• Range: 740 km (460 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level (max cruise)
• Ferry range: 720 km (450 mi, 390 nmi) at 1,525 m (5,003 ft) (max external fuel)
• Service ceiling: 6,100 m (20,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 13.3 m/s (2,620 ft/min)

   weapon system

•   1 × F2 20 mm cannon, 700 rounds
•   8 or 16 × Mokopa ZT-6 long-range anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM)
•   4 × MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles
•   38 or 76 × 70 mm rockets folding fin aerial rockets (FFAR) or Wrap-Around (WA)  (FZ90 70mm WA)
•   FZ275 LGR Laser-Guided Rocket

  

see also

• Agusta A129 Mangusta
• AgustaWestland Apache
• Bell AH-1Z Viper
• Boeing AH-64 Apache
• CAIC WZ-10
• Eurocopter Tiger
• HAL Light Combat Helicopter
• Harbin WZ-19
• IAIO Toufan
• Kamov Ka-50
• Kawasaki OH-1
• Mil Mi-24
• Mil Mi-28
• Panha 2091
• TAI/AgustaWestland T129