Atlas XH-1 Alpha
Atlas XH-1 Alpha | |
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Type: | Attack helicopter |
Design country: | |
Manufacturer: | |
First flight: |
3rd February 1985 |
Number of pieces: |
1 prototype |
The Atlas XH-1 Alpha is a helicopter from the South African manufacturer Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa , which was built as a concept demonstrator for the later Rooivalk attack helicopter .
History and construction
The XH-1 Alpha was developed from an Aérospatiale Alouette III cell, with the drive and dynamic components retained. Instead of the original cockpit, a tiered tandem cockpit was installed and a 20 mm cannon under the bow. At the same time, the nose wheel was moved backwards so that the helicopter was now equipped with a tail wheel landing gear. The XH-1 first flew on February 3, 1985, and soon a tight flight test program began to investigate the need for attack helicopter production in southern Africa. The results were ultimately so good that Atlas of the South African Air Force started developing its own attack helicopter, the AH-2 Rooivalkwas commissioned. The prototype is on display at the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria .
The XH-1 and Rooivalk are completely different models and have no common components.
Technical specifications
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Atlas_Alpha_XH-1_%28unmarked%29_%2822995007275%29.jpg/220px-Atlas_Alpha_XH-1_%28unmarked%29_%2822995007275%29.jpg)
Parameter | Data |
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crew | 2 |
length | 10.56 m |
height | 2.73 m |
Rotor diameter | 11.02 m |
Rotor area | 95.4 m² |
Empty mass | 1400 kg |
Max. Takeoff mass | 2200 kg |
Cruising speed | 191 km / h |
Top speed | 210 km / h |
Service ceiling | 3200 m |
Range | 550 km |
Engines | 1 × Turbomeca Artouste III B , 410 kW (550 PS) |
Armament | 1 × Vector GA-1 Rattler 20 mm cannon in a rotating turret under the bow |
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Air International June 1986, p.599.