Attack helicopter by Atlas Aircraft Corporation, later Denel Aviation
Rooivalk
A Denel Rooivalk in flight
Role
Attack helicopter
Type of aircraft
National origin
South Africa
Manufacturer
Denel Aviation
First flight
11 February 1990[1]
Introduction
1 April 2011
Status
Out of service and in production
Primary user
South African Air Force
Produced
1990–2007
Number built
15
Developed from
Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
The Denel Rooivalk (previously designated AH-2 and CSH-2) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for "Red Falcon", which refers to the lesser kestrel.[2] Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, both aircraft being based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started development at the same time.
Development of the Rooivalk was protracted due to the impact of limited budgets during the 1990s, and a desire to produce a highly advanced attack helicopter. The South African Air Force (SAAF) ordered 12 Rooivalk, designated the Rooivalk Mk 1 in SAAF service, the first of which were officially handed over in April 2011.[3] The helicopters are flown by 16 Squadron, based at AFB Bloemspruit near Bloemfontein.
^Cite error: The named reference ff was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directiory of Military Aircraft. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p. 71. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
^Campbell, Keith (2012-04-01). "SAAF finally takes delivery of fully operational Rooivalk helicopters".
The DenelRooivalk (previously designated AH-2 and CSH-2) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans...
the Rooivalk, which could be Denel's most profitable project, also threatens to result in its largest loss ever. In 2009 and 2010 RheinMetall Denel, a...
and Engineering (ATE). In 2016, Denel was reportedly proceeding with a Mk 1.1 upgrade program for the existing Rooivalk fleet; prospective improvements...
improving the Puma helicopter. The Oryx is closely connected to the DenelRooivalk attack helicopter, both rotorcraft being based on the Puma and development...
2023-03-23 at the Wayback Machine ASTUS ATE Vulture Meteorite N-Raven DenelRooivalk Atlas XH-1 Alpha ATE Super Hind Atlas Oryx Warrior-class strike craft...
upgrade its current Rooivalk Mk I fleet to Mk II status. Around 2015, Denel has been promoting the Mk II upgrade of the Rooivalk for the South African...
(~US$106m) each. The Rooivalk project began in early 1984 under the auspices of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, a predecessor of Denel Aviation. Faced with...
bringing new types of aircraft into service, specifically the Gripen, Hawk, Rooivalk, A 109 and Lynx. The cancellation of the SAAF participation and procurement...
era AgustaWestland Apache Bell AH-1 SuperCobra Boeing AH-64 Apache DenelRooivalk Eurocopter Tiger Kamov Ka-50 Kawasaki OH-1 Mil Mi-28 Related lists List...
some 2,200 had been built. Puma HC Mk 2 Aérospatiale Super Puma Denel Oryx DenelRooivalk Eurocopter AS532 Cougar Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma Eurocopter...
Republic Singapore for testing Igla missiles The UK for evaluation of the DenelRooivalk helicopter Sweden for testing the RBS15 MK3 and CAMPS Spain for integration...
completed a test firing of its 70 mm laser-guided rocket (FZ275 LGR) from a DenelRooivalk helicopter. In December 2017, an Airbus Helicopters H145M helicopter...
Leon (2011-01-07). "Fact file: Denel Z88 pistol". defenceWeb. Retrieved 2023-03-18. Engelbrecht, Leon (2010-09-24). "Denel showcases a 21st Century R4 assault...
Atlas at the time of its absorption have been carried on by Denel, such as the Rooivalk. Atlas built and maintained a variety of aircraft: Impala Mk...
1999 when it was reformed at AFB Bloemspruit and equipped with the new DenelRooivalk attack helicopter, receiving all 12 ordered. Due to the complexities...
Furchgott, Ignarro and Murad (1998). 1984, development began on the DenelRooivalk, the first military attack helicopter capable of making a 360 degree...
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