| Picture |
|
| Manufacturer |
Denel
|
| Type |
AH-2 Rooivalk
|
| Introduced |
7/1/1999
|
| In production? |
Yes
|
| Units produced |
12
|
| Price US $ |
40,000,000.00
|
| Overall Length |
61.45 ft
|
| Length |
53.77 ft
|
| Height |
17.03 ft
|
| Width |
0 ft
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Description |
The development of the Rooivalk (Red Kestrel) attack helicopter was ordered by the South African Air Force (SAAF), which was looking for a helicopter to use as a weapon platform in the South African Border War (1966-1990). Although development started in 1984, it took until April 2011 for the first delivery to the SAAF! The project suffered from financial problems at Denel and employees leaving the company.
The design of the AH-2 Rooivalk is based on the dynamic components of the AS332 Super Puma, with an all new and sleek fuselage design and a tandem cockpit configuration that is often seen in attack helicopters. Robustness against the harsh South African environment was also an important design requirement.
In May 2007, Denel announced that it would end the development of the Rooivalk as an export product. In November of that year, the African government decided to invest $137 million to bring the helicopter to full operational status. The long development time and the low number of units built (12) makes it one of the most expensive helicopters ever produced. Ultimately, only 11 Rooivalks were delivered (2013), as one of the 12 machines produced was a complete write-off after an uncontrolled landing. It seems that there will be no more Rooivalks rolling off the production line.
|
| Advertisement |
|
| Design features |
- Dynamic system of the SA 330 Puma
- Crash-resistant structure
- Tandem cockpit configuration
- Hands-on collective And stick (HOCAS) controls
- Armour-protected and crashworthy seats
- Non-retractable tricyle landing gear
|
The development of the Rooivalk (Red Kestrel) attack helicopter was ordered by the South African Air Force (SAAF), which was looking for a helicopter to use as a weapon platform in the South African Border War (1966-1990). Although development started in 1984, it took until April 2011 for the first delivery to the SAAF! The project suffered from financial problems at Denel and employees leaving the company.
The design of the AH-2 Rooivalk is based on the dynamic components of the AS332 Super Puma, with an all new and sleek fuselage design and a tandem cockpit configuration that is often seen in attack helicopters. Robustness against the harsh South African environment was also an important design requirement.
In May 2007, Denel announced that it would end the development of the Rooivalk as an export product. In November of that year, the African government decided to invest $137 million to bring the helicopter to full operational status. The long development time and the low number of units built (12) makes it one of the most expensive helicopters ever produced. Ultimately, only 11 Rooivalks were delivered (2013), as one of the 12 machines produced was a complete write-off after an uncontrolled landing. It seems that there will be no more Rooivalks rolling off the production line.
|
|
- Advertisement -
|
Design features:
- Dynamic system of the SA 330 Puma
- Crash-resistant structure
- Tandem cockpit configuration
- Hands-on collective And stick (HOCAS) controls
- Armour-protected and crashworthy seats
- Non-retractable tricyle landing gear
|
| Persons |
2
|
| Max. Range |
437 mi
|
| Cruise Speed |
173 mph
|
| Max. Speed |
193 mph
|
| Max. rate of Climb |
2620 ft/min
|
| HOGE ceiling |
16500 ft
|
| Service Ceiling |
20000 ft
|
| Gross Weight |
19290 lb
|
| Empty Weigt |
12632 lb
|
| Useful Load |
6658 lb
|
| Fuel Capacity |
489 gallons
|
| Number of Engines |
2
|
| Engine Type |
Turbine
|
| Engine Code |
Turbomeca Makila 1K2
|
| Horse Power |
1904
|
| Rotorhead |
Fuly articulated
|
| Number of rotorblades |
4
|
| Rotor Diameter |
51.12 ft
|
| Number of tail rotorblades |
5
|
| Tailrotor Diameter |
10 ft
|
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