Rooivalk CSH-2 Combat Support Helicopter
The South African-designed and manufactured Rooivalk attack helicopter comes equipped with air-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles and a rapid-fire 20mm automatic cannon. It carries a crew of two. In a police support role it could be used for intelligence gathering, surveillance, electronic soundwave jamming and as an airborne crane. The survivability of the Rooivalk is enhanced by design characteristics that include low detection signatures, high agility, damage tolerance, dual-redundant systems and airframe crashworthiness. The helicopter is able to operate in the Nap-of-the-earth (NOE) environment, and can operate both at night and in adverse weather conditions from long stand-off ranges. The helmet, head-up display (HUD), and nose-mounted day/night stabilized sighting systems provide for fast, highly accurate designation and delivery of anti-tank missiles, air-to-ground rockets, cannon fire, and the ability to carry air-to-air missiles for self-defence. The turreted cannon, 2 x wing-tip and 4 x under-wing stores stations allow the Rooivalk considerable flexibility in weapons and external fuel loads.
In April 1997 an agreement was announed under which the Rooivalk attack helicopter will be marketed to the world's military forces under a joint co-operation agreement between Denel Aviation and the Franco-German Eurocopter group. Eurocopter produces a similar attack helicopter, the Tiger, but the Rooivalk is about 50% heavier. The Rooivalk will be targeted to customers wishing to buy a heavy helicopter, while the Eurocopter Tiger will be sold to those with who require a smaller machine.
The first CSH-2 for the South African Air Force was deliverd at the end of 1998, with manufacture planned at four per year until 2001. In terms of the Armscor contract with Denel, the Rooivalk helicopters are delivered to the SAAF as they come off the production line. As of the end of FY2003/04, 11 of the 12 aircraft ordered had been delivered. These aircraft were, however, not fully developed, and are therefore delivered in a status where the aircraft cannot be used for operational purposes. The main purpose of the flying done on these aircraft is operational testing and evaluation, limited force preparation, and the development of tactics.
Development work on the Rooivalk system is still continuing, and the aircraft already delivered, are continuously returned to Denel Aviation to be retrofitted as the development program progresses. The end of development is scheduled for 2008, at which point all aircraft will have received the required upgrades that will make it a fully operational and supportable system. An interim technical baseline has been negotiated with Denel that will deliver a partially operational platform with restricted supportability by July 2005.
