Denel Aviation AH-2 Rooivalk
| AH-2A Rooivalk | ||
|---|---|---|
 Denel Aviation AH-2A Rooivalk.  | ||
| Description | ||
| Role: attack helicopter | ||
| Crew: 2 in tandem (pilot and weapon systems officer) | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Length: 18,731.64 mm (main rotor to tail rotor) | ||
| Fuselage length: 16,389.00 mm | ||
| Height: 5,187.30 mm | ||
| Rotor diameter: 15,580.00 mm | ||
| Weights | ||
| Empty: 5,190 kg | ||
| Maximum internal fuel: 1,469 kg | ||
| Maximum take-off: 8,750 kg | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines: 2 x Makila 1K2 turboshaft | ||
| Power: 1,716 kW (sea-level ISA) 30 s rating | ||
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed: 309 km/h | ||
| Combat range (internal fuel): 700 km | ||
| Ferry range (external fuel): 1130 km | ||
| Service ceiling: 20,000 ft | ||
| Maximum rate of climb: 13,3 m/s (twin-engined) | ||
| Armament | ||
| Gun: 1 x 20mm F2 dual-feed gas-operated cannon (400 or 700 high-velocity rounds) | ||
| Missiles: Includes 8 or 16 x Mokopa ZT-6 long-range anti-armour missiles, 4 x Kentron V3C Darter air-to-air missiles, 36 or 72 x 70mm folding fin aerial rockets (FFAR) | ||
The Denel Aviation AH-2 Rooivalk is a latest generation attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. The name of the helicopter derives from the Afrikaans word for "Red Falcon".
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has ordered 12 Rooivalk AH-2As, the first of which entered service in July 1999. The helicopters are flown by No. 16 Squadron, which is based at Bloemspruit Air Force Base near Bloemfontein.
Due to the SAAF's decades of helicopter experience in the harsh African environment, the Rooivalk has been designed to operate in very basic surroundings for prolonged periods without sophisticated support. All that is needed to keep the Rooivalk flying is a medium transport helicopter equipped with a basic spares supply plus four groundcrew.
The following types of missions are foreseen for the AH-2 Rooivalk:
Missions
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