Denel AH-2 Rooivalk

Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
Denel AH-2 "Rooivalk" at an air show
Type:	Attack helicopter
Design country:	South Africa
Manufacturer:	Denel Aerospace Systems
First flight:	February 11, 1990
Commissioning:	1999
Number of pieces:	12 (as of end of 2007)

The Denel AH-2 Rooivalk ( Afrikaans for Red Falcon , formerly Atlas CSH-2 ) is a South African attack helicopter with a long range.

history

development

The structural design of the Rooivalk with its classic attack helicopter fuselage design is similar to that of the European Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter. Like this one, it has a four-bladed main rotor , a tail rotor for torque compensation and the two crew members sit in a tandem cockpit staggered in height. A machine cannon is located in a chin tower on the bow , similar to the American Boeing AH-64 Apache . Missiles are located under the side stub wings. The two engines are located behind the upper cockpit and the helicopter has a fixed three-point landing gear.

Armscor and Denel Ltd. developed the Rooivalk for the South African armed forces . In addition to borrowing from the AH-64 Apache, the special requirements for the use of machines on the African continent and the experience from the war with Angola were incorporated into the development.

Basic requirements for the Rooivalk included:

• Construction according to MIL standards
• Compatibility with standard NATO weapons
• Main role as an anti-tank helicopter
• Suitability against land, sea and air targets
• Air loading with Lockheed C-130 transporters
• Can fight for up to 72 hours without maintenance
• Maintenance in the field by four people, equipment can be loaded into a medium-sized transport helicopter
• Ability to penetrate far into enemy airspace

The first prototype of the then Atlas XH-1 Alpha program was completed in 1982. After a further intermediate step via the experimental type XTP-2 Beta, the prototype of the CSH-2 was finally able to take off on its maiden flight on February 11, 1990 and then go into production. Due to its modular structure and the various armament options, the Rooivalk should be upgradeable for at least 30 years.

Initial tests at the 16th Squadron of the South African Air Force ( SAAF ) were successfully carried out in 2005. At the end of 2005 a Rooivalk crashed due to a technical defect; however, no one was injured. As a result, the operational readiness was delayed by several years because a number of systems and equipment had to be redesigned. These included the optical detection system, parts of the transmission and the on-board cannon. The manufacturer only handed over the first five copies to the SAAF in spring 2011, and this configuration standard has since been referred to as the Mk 1 ( Mark 1 ). However, some assessment attempts were still pending at the time of the handover.

Malaysia is planning to purchase some of this type of helicopter. So far, Denel's export attempts have failed because the machine with a unit price of around 40 million dollars (as of 2007) is about as expensive as the American Apache or the European Tiger, but in contrast to these, the avionics are outdated due to the long development time is.

Participation in Turkish tender

For some time the helicopter was in a Turkish tender with the Italian Agusta A129 Mangusta in the final selection. He was able to prevail against the American AH-64 and the European Tiger, among others. The conditions were above average, however, as Turkey expected a full technology transfer from Denel. Furthermore, Turkey should have the right to make all necessary modifications to the helicopter itself. The final assembly of the machines was to take place in Turkey at TAI , according to plans by Denel and the Turkish army . In the event of a positive outcome of the tender, the South African company had granted extensive independent marketing rights for Turkey.

According to Turkish information, the tender, known as ATAK II, had a volume of 2.7 billion US dollars and comprised 51 machines including equipment. The Rooivalk was actually the favorite in this competition and could have emerged as the winner, as the Mangusta could not meet some of the requirements of the Turkish army. This included service ceiling and operating temperatures above 30 ° C, which did not cause any problems for the Rooivalk. The tender, which ended in March 2007, was in favor of the Mangusta, as it was the cheaper alternative.

commitment

In addition to fighting tanks the manufacturer calls the application variants for the Rooivalk the combat infantry , the close air support (close air support) own units, the naval warfare and reconnaissance. The Rooivalk benefits from its great penetration depth.

If the area of ​​operation is further away, the Rooivalk can reach it with the help of external tanks or be relocated with transport aircraft. The Rooivalk is designed for use from forward bases.

In the operational area, he can penetrate into enemy airspace individually or in conjunction with other Rooivalks or other weapon systems and reconnaissance or fight. Mission planning is possible on the computer before the mission, but (target) data can also be updated and exchanged with other Rooivalks during the mission.

The Rooivalk should penetrate the target area as unseen as possible. To do this, it is usually flown at treetop height, whereby natural conditions are used for privacy protection. The target area is then observed with the camera or the Forward Looking Infrared System (FLIR). The targets are set and weapons assigned to them. At the same time, the target data are saved in such a way that they can still be used after the Rooivalk has moved. The helicopter then goes into firing position, marks the targets and fires. Then the helicopter withdraws again.

For the first 72 hours of an armed conflict, the Rooivalk does not require maintenance. Refueling and arming can be done in 15 minutes. In the subsequent phase, the Rooivalk needs a team of four mechanics. A medium-sized transport helicopter is sufficient to transport this team, the necessary tools and spare parts.

construction

Rear view

The seats for the pilot and weapons system officer are located one behind the other in the glazed cockpit . The crew sits in seats that have been optimized for falls. An emergency exit system can be ordered on request. Both places can be used for all tasks.

All systems use digital technology and are intended to relieve the crew. Missions can be prepared on the computer and then loaded into the helicopter's computer. Data for de-briefing and maintenance can also be called up from there. For this, the Rooivalk has extensive built-in test systems (BITE = built in test equipment) and error / status displays (HUMS). Each workstation has three multifunctional screens for displaying data. The helmets are also equipped with a head-up display and a night vision system is also available. The cockpit windows can be heated for a good view.

The helicopter has a video recorder linked to the television camera for the evaluation of hits. The Rooivalk also has a FLIR and a combined laser target illuminator / range finder. The manufacturer can also supply a pulse Doppler radar on request .

A system known as the Helicopter Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System (HEWSPS) is available for self-protection . This is coupled with the Counter Measures Dispensing System (CMDS), which emits decoys .

The engine and rotor system was originally completely taken over by Aérospatiale SA 330 . However, two different variants, Makila 1A1 and Makila 1K2 , are now available, the latter being equipped with a digital motor control. The Rooivalk is designed entirely for operations from forward bases. Most systems are designed to be modular. Components of the outer shell can partly be used as a work platform, further work platforms are not necessary. A transportable crane can be attached to the helicopter to remove individual heavy components. The Rooivalk also has its own pump so that it can be refueled from barrels and does not need any external generator systems. The helicopter is equipped with sand filters for use in desert regions.

Armament

In the following text the standard armament of the Rooivalk is shown. However, it can also be exchanged for many other weapon systems introduced by NATO.

Fixed barrel weapon

Bow weapon of the AH-2

In the bow there is a Ratler automatic cannon in a chin tower with a caliber of 20 × 139 mm. Up to 700 cartridges are fed in two different ways. With a maximum range of 4000 m, the effective combat range is 2000 m. The weapon can be aimed at the target via a visor integrated in the pilot's helmet. There is a precision mode for aimed fire.

• 1 x 20 mm automatic cannon Giat Industries M693 (F2) with 700 rounds of ammunition

Weapons on stub wings

A weapon load of up to 2032 kg can be carried at four external load stations under the stub wings. For cost reasons, however, the SAAF only equipped its Rooivalk with unguided rockets. The possible air-to-air guided missiles have already been retired with the Cheetah . Instead of the anti-tank missiles, up to four launch containers for unguided missiles can be installed. Each container contains 19 rockets in 70 mm caliber with flip-out stabilizer wings (FFAR) from Forges de Zeebrugge ( Belgium ). The range is over 4000 m.

Unguided air-to-surface missiles

• 4 × Forges de Zeebrugge Type 159 (M159) rocket tube launch container for 19 × unguided FFAR air-to-ground missiles each ; Caliber 70 mm

Optional weapons

These include the mokopa -zt-6 - anti-tank missile , whose range is about 10 km. It should be able to penetrate armor up to 1350 mm thick with its tandem warhead. In connection with the aiming systems of the helicopter, a target can either be activated first and then shot at or assigned after the missiles have been fired. Alternatively, the Mokopa missiles can be equipped with a warhead for anti-ship combat . As standard, the Rooivalk is armed at two wing stations with two Mistral-2 air-to-air missiles each. The weapons have infrared homing heads and reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.6 and a maximum range of 6000 m. Armament with Denel / Kentron V3C Darter from Denel Aerospace Systems, which are also equipped with infrared homing heads, is also offered.

Air-to-air guided missile

• 2 × launch rails for 1 × Kentron V3C "Darter" (infrared-controlled short-range air-to-air guided missile) each
• 2 × launch rails for 1 × Matra R.550 "Magic 2" each (infrared-controlled short-range air-to-air guided missile)
• 2 × Mistral double missile launchers for 2 × MBDA Mistral (AATCP) each (infrared- controlled short-range air-to-air guided missile)

Air-to-surface guided missile

• 4 × guided missile starter box for 4 × Denel Dynamics ZT 6 "Mokopa" (laser-controlled anti-tank guided missile)
• 4 × guided missile starter boxes for 4 × Denel Dynamics ZT 6 "Mokopa" (infrared-controlled anti-tank guided missiles)
• 4 × guided missile starter box for 4 × EADS HOT 3 each (wire-controlled anti-tank guided missile)
• 4 × M299 guided missile mounts for 4 × Boeing Corp / Martin Marietta AGM-114F / N "Hellfire" (laser-controlled anti-tank guided missiles)

Technical specifications

Parameter	Data
overall length	18,731 mm
Total height	5,187 mm
Overall width	6.355 mm (distance between the front-door stations)
Rotor diameter	15,580 mm
Tail rotor diameter	3,061 mm
Hull length	16,389 mm (including tail rotor)
Center distance	11,772 mm
Track width	3,005 mm (only front wheels)
Engines	2 × Atlas Turbomeca Turbo IV Topaz or versions thereof
Continuous output	1,492 kW
Maximum output	1,716 kW
Empty mass	5,910 kg
Max. Takeoff mass	8,750 kg
Top speed	315 km / h
Marching speed	269 ​​km / h
Sideways movement	90 km / h
Rate of climb	670 m / min (2,200 ft / min)
Inner tank volume	1,469 kg
Range	700 km
Range with outside tanks	1,130 km + 45 min reserve flight time

Web links

Commons : Denel Rooivalk  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Rooivalk Attack Helicopter

Individual evidence

1. ↑ What went wrong with the Rooivalk? at www.engineeringnews.co.za
2. ↑ F2 20mm Canon Article . Unofficial website of the South African Air Force. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
3. ↑ http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/67/v3c-darter V3C Darter - article on the guided weapon. South African Air Force unofficial website. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
4. ↑ FZ 70 mm (2.75 in) aircraft rockets and launchers (Belgium), Air-launched rockets - Article . Jane's website. Retrieved April 11, 2012.