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Oryx
A SAAF Atlas Oryx helicopter in flight.
Role
Utility helicopter
Type of aircraft
National origin
South Africa
Manufacturer
Atlas Aircraft Corporation
First flight
1986
Introduction
1987
Status
In service
Primary user
South African Air Force
Produced
1986-1991
Number built
50
Developed from
Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
The Atlas Oryx (named after the Oryx antelope) is a medium-sized utility helicopter ostensibly developed and manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation (now Denel Aeronautics) of South Africa. Its largest operator is the South African Air Force (SAAF), having been originally developed to fulfil their needs.
Development of the Oryx commenced during the early 1980s, largely in response to the wartime demands of the Border War and the imposition of an arms embargo upon South Africa, which prevented the importing of foreign transport helicopters such as the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. Seeking to improve and augment the SAAF's existing fleet of rotorcraft, domestic industries examined means of improving the Puma helicopter. The Oryx is closely connected to the Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter, both rotorcraft being based on the Puma and development having been worked on in parallel around roughly the same time period. Following the conversion of a single Puma to the Oryx configuration, quantity production of the Oryx was authorised during the late 1980s.
Allegedly, the Oryx's development was greatly facilitated by the French helicopter firm Aérospatiale, the Puma's original manufacturer, who produced kits that were supplied to South Africa; Atlas Aviation had denied this involvement and claimed that the Oryx was an entirely indigenous programme.[1] The existence of the Oryx became public knowledge during 1991, by which point it was in service with the SAAF. In the early 2000s, the SAAF opted to reduce the size of the Oryx fleet and upgrade the remainder; the scope of these upgrades was largely limited to airframe life extensions. The Oryx had been repeatedly deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in support of UN-led peacekeeping operations in the country.
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The AtlasOryx (named after the Oryx antelope) is a medium-sized utility helicopter ostensibly developed and manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation...
of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to the AtlasOryx transport helicopter, both aircraft...
The scimitar oryx (Oryx dammah), also known as the scimitar-horned oryx and the Sahara oryx, is an Oryx species that was once widespread across North Africa...
Corona from "time to time" by deploying either AgustaWestland AW109 or AtlasOryx helicopters to its borders. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup the South African...
numerous locally developed upgrades. The most extensive of these was the AtlasOryx, an extensively modified derivative. It was developed with assistance...
Machine ASTUS ATE Vulture Meteorite N-Raven Denel Rooivalk Atlas XH-1 Alpha ATE Super Hind AtlasOryx Warrior-class strike craft Warrior-class MMIPV 70M Frontier...
amalgamated with 31 Squadron. The Pumas were later replaced with the AtlasOryx M2. This squadron is the sole maritime helicopter squadron of the SAAF...
combat management system is sourced from Thales. Two SuperLynx 300, one AtlasOryx, two AgustaWestland AW109, one Rooivalk or various UAVs can be accommodated...
VIP transport 1992 1 Falcon 50 France VIP transport 1982 2 Helicopters AtlasOryx South Africa Transport Mk. II 1990 39 AH-2 Rooivalk South Africa Attack...
number of notable products, such as: The Rooivalk attack helicopter. The AtlasOryx utility helicopter. The Umkhonto vertical launched air defence missile...
hardpoints, used only on trials) Related development Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma AtlasOryx Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Eurocopter AS532 Cougar...
of climb: 7.4 m/s (1,460 ft/min) Aviation portal Related development AtlasOryx Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma Eurocopter EC225...
African Border War, he flew improvised Aérospatiale Alouette III and AtlasOryx gunships over Angola and Mozambique in support of South African expeditionary...
and more powerful helicopter. These components were already used on the AtlasOryx, a local upgrade and modification of the Aérospatiale Puma. Unfortunately...
operates AtlasOryx and MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 helicopters. Their primary role is maritime and landward search and rescue. Two flights of Oryx, A and B Flights...
development for the air force Helicopters AtlasOryx South Africa Transport / utility helicopter 39 The oryx has a crew of 3 and can carry 20 fully equipped...
87 Helicopter Flying School AtlasOryx Active 1 January 1973 – Present Country South Africa Branch South African Air Force Role Helicopter flight training...
hangars was fitted aft. The vessel was configured to carry two Puma or AtlasOryx helicopters, although the larger Super Frelon helicopter was also used...
fighter, the BAE Systems Hawk trainer, the Rooivalk attack helicopter, the AtlasOryx transport helicopter, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft...
original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023. Oryx. "Guns N' Gazpacho: Spanish Military Aid To Ukraine". Oryx. Retrieved 29 September 2023. Bostock, Ian...
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