The CSH-2 Rooivalk
Posted on 07/06/2006 7:38:04 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Turkey shortlists Rooivalk attack chopper
Cape Town – It is an awe-inspiring sight, watching a nine-ton attack helicopter perform a loop and barrel rolls – the aeronautical equivalent of Luciano Pavarotti performing a perfect pike on the diving board.
But this is exactly what Denel Aviation‘s CSH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter can do – although that is not part of its operational flying capabilities.
The Rooivalk was designed to fly in all weather conditions day or night at extremely low level, sometimes at an altitude of 10m, to avoid being detected.
Developed in the 1990s, the Rooivalk (“Red Hawk”) is used by the South African Air Force.
Thus far it has not been exported. However, it is short-listed, together with Italy‘s Mangusta A129 International, as a contender in a multi-billion rand deal to build 50 attack helicopters for Turkey.
“It would have sold a long time ago if it hadn‘t been crippled by defence cuts. Because the result of that was the air force never bought enough of them, and instead of 36 only bought 12,” said Helmoed Heitman, South African correspondent for Jane‘s Defence magazine.
The Rooivalk brims with weaponry and technology and is bracketed in some quarters together with the world‘s leading attack helicopter, the United State‘s Apache.
“In many respects it is better than the Apache. It centres on a database, which makes it easier to integrate other weapons and systems, where most of the Apaches are hard-wired. The cockpit design and layout is also better, and the aircraft is easier to maintain and fix in the field,” said Heitman.
The Rooivalk can reach a top speed of 309km/h. Its main weapon system is the long-range precision-guided anti-armour missile, the Mokopa (translated as black mamba). The Rooivalk has a special mechanism to lower the heat signature of its turboshaft engines, which provides death-stopping protection from heat-seeker missiles.
Should the Turkey sale go through, there was a possibility other nations, such as Pakistan and Malaysia, could also purchase South Africa‘s premier attack helicopter. – Sapa
The CSH-2 Rooivalk
Ping!!
The Italian option!!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet piece of hardware!
Two neat pieces of hardware.
It's interesting to note that most attack helos the world over now look very much alike, in the mold of the AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache. If it works, why change it?
}:-)4
Rainman shortlists Italian attack Car
Qvale Mangusta
http://www.qvaleauto.com/show_f2a.htm
http://www.qvaleauto.com/graphics/1a1_spla.jpg
Form following function, I guess.
I work with an engineer that worked for denel.. exciting stuff.
Denel does have a sound technical reputation,but politically they have got messed up many times-be it selling arms to Iraq,the Balkans or bribing Indian officials in the hope for artillery contracts.
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