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The following was posted on the Military Aviation Whatsapp group:

ADM Development

The contract for the Advanced Development Model (ADM) was placed in 1988, completed in 1992, with its first phase flight on 22 May 1992. The ADM was used to verify the avionics design and implementation, weapons development, and integration platform. The traditional instruments were replaced by three multi-function displays (MFD), and the avionics system proved to minimize the aircrew workload significantly. The Rooivalk ADM would be the first-ever attack helicopter to fly with an MFD” “glass cockpit”. The ADM featured the MIL-STD-1553B digital databus system and was equipped with ZT3 Ingwe ATGM missiles, as well as a 20 mm cannon mounted to a TC-20 chin turret. The second phase of testing commenced on 23rd July and lasted until 4th December 1992 and involved in-flight operation of the Integrated Management System, the Health Monitoring System, the Automatic Flight Control System, and the Communication System. The third phase of testing was focus on the weapon systems and included the nose-mounted Main Sight System (MSS), 20 mm cannon in August 1993, and ZT3 anti-tank missile in March 1994. Both weapons systems were successfully tested.

The ADM made its international debut at the Dubai air show in 1993, followed by the Malaysia air show in 1993. In 1994, the ADM was on display at the Farnborough International Air show in England. With potential international exports in mind, the Rooivalk was developed according to US military requirements and standards, which would only require small adjustments to make it compatible with US weapons systems such as the Hellfire ATGM. Meanwhile, the SAAF was contemplating an order of 16 Rooivalks with an updated User Requirement Specification which specified a more powerful cannon and longer-range missiles. Although 36 Rooivalks were envisaged to complete three squadrons, cuts to the defense budget and a change in the defense force strategy resulted in only 12 being ordered.

Rooivalk ADM: Farnborough 94 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw3YQIfJyNQ&t=26s

Info: Dewald Venter

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

EDM Development

The Engineering Development Model (EDM) was developed as a platform to incorporate lessons learned from the XDM and ADM, to incorporate the SAAF’s updated User Requirement, as well as for doctrine and mission development. Design and development began in March 1993. The completed aircraft rolled out on 17th November 1996 and a flight was presented on 17th February 1997 by Denel. The purpose of the EDM was to qualify the avionics, weapon systems, airframe, and airborne systems before serial production could commence. Additionally, the EDM was used to refine the required logistical support. With the EDM, the ammo bins were moved to each side of the cockpit and the infra-red suppressor exhaust was directed upwards into the main rotor blades to dissipate the heat more efficiently. Additionally, the EDM saw many structural changes, as well as weight reduction. It represented the beginning of the Rooivalk assembly line.

Info: Dewald Venter

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Rooivalk CSH

Development

The first SAAF Rooivalk was delivered on 7th May 1998 and was subsequently upgraded in blocks, starting with 1A, up to its current 1F, which is referred to as Mk1 baseline. The SAAF would only take delivery of six fully operational and military certified Rooivalk MK1s in April 2011. The Rooivalk Mk1 included 130 modifications, such as improved sighting and targeting system, communications systems, gearboxes, self-protection, the ability to fire the Mokopa ATGM and improved reliability of the 20 mm cannon. Additionally, fuel drop tanks were added which became invaluable for self-deployment to the DRC. The remaining five aircraft entered service by March 2013.

Design Features

The Rooivalk’s mission was envisaged according to the role at the time of an armed helicopter in a conventional war. This included operations with mechanised forces, deep penetration into enemy territory, air defence suppression, counter helicopter and anti-armor operations, counter-air operations against airbases, helicopter escort missions, maritime patrol, and reconnaissance. Based on those requirements, the Rooivalk design philosophy centred around four pillars, namely not to be seen, if seen not to be hit, if hit to sustain flight and if the flight could not be maintained the pilots had to survive the crash.

Performance

The Rooivalk was designed to exceed the demands required during the first 24 hours of a high-intensity war while in unfriendly territory. The Rooivalk is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshaft engines which produce 1845 shp (246 shp/t).
It has an empty weight of 5910 kg and a max take-off weight of 8750 kg, which equals a carrying capacity of 2840 kg. Its typical mission weight is 7500 kg.

At mission weight, it has a cruising speed of 278 km/h and a top speed of 309 km/h. It can fly sideways at 92 km/h. At sea level, it can ascend 670 m a minute (11 m/s) with a maximum hovering ceiling of 5,545 m and a service ceiling of 6,095 m.

The Rooivalk has a minimum endurance of 216 minutes and 412 minutes with external fuel drop tanks, allowing it to self-deploy some 1260 km. Its combat radius (when fully armed) is 740 km with reserve fuel.
The airframe is rated at +3.5/-0.5 g.

Endurance and Logistics

During the South African Border War, the SAAF made extensive use of Alouette III and Puma helicopters, gaining valuable operational and logistical experience. The Rooivalk was subsequently designed to operate for extended periods with minimal support and maintenance in the field with basic spares which are transportable via Oryx helicopter. The airframe has many large access panels which make access simple, as no tools are needed. The stub-wings and cowling (cover over the engine) are functional as working stations, and no ground support equipment is needed. It can be maintained with a ground crew of four in the field with spares that can be flown in an Oryx. The ground crew’s task is made easier with onboard test functions and line replacement units. The Rooivalk’s overall design also incorporated easy refueling and re-arming. The engine features highly efficient sand filters which help reduce wear and tear and extends service life.

Rooivalk landing at Tempe 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhlo7YKcv8w

Info: Dewald Venter

_________________
How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Rooivalk CSH

Avionics and Weapon System

The Rooivalk makes use of the advanced international digital Military Standard (MIL-STD-1760B) Class 2 weapons station and MIL-STD-1553B avionics system. The systems allow total mission modes, target acquisition, flight control, health and usage monitoring, communication, threat detection, and control of flight and fuel.
The avionic system is fully digital and incorporates night vision goggle compatible glass cockpit technology for low light night vision. This allows accurate navigation, pre-programmable tactical flight plans with moving digital map and flight data projection on two liquid crystal multi-function display. The multi-function displays allow the aircrew to switch between navigation, flight control, weapons control, threat warning and imagery from the sensors when required.
Flight control avionics consists of a duplex four-axis digital automatic flight control system. The latter is coupled with ring laser gyros with navigation and position input from a radar altimeter, eight-channel GPS, Doppler velocity sensor, magnetometer heading sensor, air data unit and an omnidirectional airspeed sensor. All of these systems are linked to a dual redundant navigational computer.

The autopilot system makes use of an eight-channel Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS). The system allows for normal as well as higher mode linkage to the avionics and weapons system. The one-touch feature for auto-hover, altitude hold, follow a planned route and target orientation is based on the main sighting system. The former two features allow the aircrew to recover from vertigo which could occur during night time low-level tactical operations or poor weather.

The nose-mounted gyro-stabilised sensor turret housing with auto-tracking contains the target acquisition designation sight known as the NightOwl system. The system was developed by Société de Fabrication d’Instruments de Mesure (SFIM), which was absorbed by the Société d’Applications Générales de l’Électricité et de la Mécanique (SAGEM) in 1999/2000. It consists of 3-FOV FLIR with automatic tracking, LLTV and laser rangefinder and designator. The three fields of view, which include thermal and low light displays, have recording function with playback facilities and sight cueing. This allows for pop-up missile engagements based on target location recorded during high threat situations. The missile command and control system is integrated with the avionic system, which provides continuous navigational updates, flight control handover and weapons computing parameters. The weapons system additionally provides weapons and stores management. The aircrew’s helmet-mounted sight displays both flight and weapon data and can both cue the turret-mounted GI2 20 mm cannon and other armaments.

All armament can be used by either the pilot or WSO, although the use of the Mokopa could be laser designated by sight or from an external source. The pilot can, for example, use the cannon and rockets to suppress enemy fire while the WSO fires the Mokopa. The pilot and WSO cue the primary sight via their helmet sight and thereby show the other a target of opportunity or imminent threat. The fire control system (FCS) allows the flight crew to pop up from behind cover, scan the surrounding area, drop back down and identify targets via video cassette recording playback function, select targets and attack or relay target information to another Rooivalk or ground forces via secure data link.

Helmet Mounted Sight Display

The helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD), or TopOwl, incorporates an integrated measurement system to control the weapons. The helmet makes use of electromagnetic tracking which allows the pilot or WSO to look at a target, thereby directing the weapons on the target. The helmet has an integrated Generation IV image intensifier and FLIR capability which can be switched between with the push of a button. The TopOwl HMSD was developed by Sextant Avionique, which later merged with Thales. The pilot night vision system (PNVS) is located on the top of the nose of the Rooivalk and was developed by Cumulus, which was absorbed by Denel Optronics, and later Cassidian Optronics.

Both helmets have two monocular display modules with integrated CRT which can project Heads-Up Display (HUD) information as well as video images into the crew member’s line of sight. This allows them to retain access to their HMDS information even when using NVGs. The pilot can access real-time imagery from the PNVS while flying NOE.

Flying the Rooivalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsGuxA9yrsg

Info: Dewald Venter

_________________
How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Rooivalk mockup taken at Bredasdorp, December 1992.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Main Armament

During its development, the Rooivalk’s weapons system allowed for a wide range of South African weapons. The layout and complement of armaments have remained generally the same. For this section, the initial Rooivalk ADM (1994) will be unpacked, followed by the present (2020) Rooivalk Mk1.

The Rooivalk ADM’s stub-wings each had three weapons pylons. One was on the stub-wingtips for an air to air missile and two underneath. The weapons pylons could be arranged according to mission requirements.

Under the Rooivalk ADM’s nose was a TC-20 hydraulically driven mount for a GA1 20 x 84 mm single feed Rattler cannon. It had a muzzle speed of 720 m/s and a fire rate of 600-750 rpm. Ammunition consisted of 20 x 82 mm HE-I, HEI-T, AP-HEI. Some 400 rounds were carried in an ammunition magazine located under the weapons officer’s station.

The air to air missile was a single South African supersonic passive heat-seeking V3B Kukri with proportional navigation. It has a maximum speed of 1,870 km/h, a range of 5 km, 40 g tolerance with a flight duration of 25 sec. It is the first successful helmet slaved missile in the world.

The HR-68 rocket launcher pod carries 18 x 68 mm Societe Nouvelle des Etablissements Edgar Brandt (SNEB) unguided Folding Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR). The rocket is powered by a 31 kg rocket motor which gives a maximum velocity of 450 m/s, and slant range is 1600 m, with an accuracy of 2 mils.

The quarto missile tube for either the ZT-3 Swift or ZT-35 Ingwe laser beam riding anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) have a 4 km and 5 km standoff range, respectively. Both are equipped with a high explosive anti-tank warhead (HEAT). The ZT-3 Swift can penetrate 650 mm of rolled homogenous armor at zero degrees and the ZT-35 Ingwe 1000 mm (with active proximity fuse). The latter is also equipped with a tandem warhead to defeat explosive reactive armor (ERA).

The Rooivalk Mk1 weapons compliment differs significantly from the ADMs. The stub-wings retained the three weapons pylons, however, the stub-wingtip pylon has moved under the wing.

For the Rooivalk Mk1, the cannon was changed to the battle-proven GI2 20 mm (mounted on the Ratel 20 Infantry Combat Vehicle), with a new chin mounting system, which includes a hydraulic-driven elevation and azimuth drive control. It has a fire rate of 720-740 rounds per minute. Its operating envelope is -110 to +110 degrees in azimuth and -55 to + 15 degrees elevation. Reaction time is 1.8 sec from selection to firing at 60 degrees traverse at -45 elevation. It has a slew rate of 90˚/sec. The cannon has two modes of operation, namely quick reaction and accurate mode. The former entails using the helmet-mounted sight for slewing the cannon on target, while the latter makes use of the nose-mounted sight.

The cannon rounds are kept in two sponsons on either side of the forward fuselage and fed into the cannon via a dual-feed system from inside the turret shroud. The primary ammunition used is 20 x 139 mm (HS820) High Explosive Incendiary (HE-I) and Armor Piercing Core Tracer (APCT). The HE-I, which travels at 1050 m/s, is effective up to 2 km. The APCT rounds travel at 1300 m/s and are considered effective up to 1 km and can penetrate 15 mm of RHA at 2 km. The auto-feed mechanism of the 20 mm gun allows to immediately change between the two different ammunition belts (350 rounds each) feeding into the cannon with the flip of a switch. This weapon was selected for ease of logistics. However, problems were encountered with the weapon, as the shockwave from firing would disturb the sight mirrors. This problem was fixed in the Mk1 upgrade.

The M159 rocket launcher pod carries 19×70 mm Forges Zeebrugge (FZ) unguided FFAR. The rocket is powered by a 31 kg rocket motor which gives a maximum velocity of 1250 m/s, and slant range is 9.1 km. The rocket can be fired individually, in pairs or sets of four and the articulated pylons raised or lowered for optimum trajectory. The FZ90 can carry a variety of warheads, which include High Explosive General Purpose (HEGP), Inert Practice, Flash Signature, High Explosive Armor Piercing (HEAP), Multidart and Flechette. Recently, the Rooivalk Mk1 also test-fired the FZ laser-guided rocket variant which enhances the accuracy to less than 1 m for a target at 4-5 km. Given the high cost of laser-guided ATGMs, these FZ laser-guided rockets can be a suitable compromise for a defence force on a budget not facing MBTs.

Originally designed for use on the Ratel ZT3 ICV and successfully incorporated into the Rooivalk ADM, the ZT-35 missile is too slow to be used on an aircraft. Taking 25 sec to reach 4 km exposes the Rooivalk to enemy air defence. Studies showed that exposure over 10 sec dramatically decreases a helicopter’s survivability. The ZT-35 missile has been replaced by the state-of-the-art, long-range, precision-guided 178 mm ZT-6 Mokopa (Black Mamba).

Designed and developed by Denel Dynamics in 1996, the Mokopa was initially designed as the primary anti-armor weapon for the Rooivalk. It has, however, evolved into a multi-purpose missile applicable to both conventional and asymmetrical scenarios. The missile can be fired in the traditional direct lock-on before launch (LOBL), or lock-on after launch (LOAL). With LOAL, the missile flies in the general direction of the target until it detects a designated laser beam illuminating a target within the last eight seconds of flight. The Rooivalk can also launch several Mokopa missiles in rapid-fire mode (eight seconds apart) and designate several targets using different laser codes. A remote laser targeting by another Rooivalk or ground-based designator can also be used to illuminate targets which the Mokopa will then guide towards. Rapid-fire can also be synchronised with remote lasers, each illuminating individual targets, which each Mokopa will then be allocated to and guide towards.

Making use of semi-active laser guidance, the Mokopa is of a modular design and can carry a penetration, fragmentation, or anti-armor warhead. Unlike the ZT3 Ingwe, the Mokopa is designed to approach a target, such as MBTs, at an angle from above, to hit where it is least armored. The tandem HEAT warhead, which can defeat ERA, is capable of penetrating 1350 mm of RHA armor at zero degrees. A High Explosives (HE) fragmentation warhead has also been developed, allowing the Mokopa to engage soft\lightly armored targets with devastating effect. Making use of a solid-fuel composite rocket motor with a slow-burning rate, it can engage targets up to 10 km away with a circular error probable of 30 cm. The first air-launched test occurred in 1999, followed by the first guided test in 2000. The Mokopa’s firing trials were completed on 21 January 2011 at the DENEL OTB test range. As a side note, the Mokopa can also is configured to make use of mmW or IIR guidance and carry multi-purpose warheads. The mmW is a true fire and forget missile which can be preprogrammed with a target’s location, to which it will guide itself after launch.

For air to air engagements, the Rooivalk Mk1 can be armed with four all aspect, fully digital Matra Mistral heat-seeking missiles. The missiles are carried on ATAM launcher pods on the outermost pylon of the stub-wings. The Mistral can be fired at targets from either the helmet-mounted sight or the main sight. The missiles have a maximum speed of 2,600 km/h, 12 g tolerance, range of 6.5 km, and carry a 3 kg HE tungsten filled warhead with detonation via laser proximity fuse.

Rooivalk Attack Helicopter Demonstration 2011 SAAF Museum Air Show Swartkop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiNDaAmGAYk

"It was clear that the rebels didn't expect us" -- SANDF pilot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNOwCBZp6bs

This will be my last post in the series. Tomorrow I will hand over the reins to Reinhardt Ackerman, an up and coming military author.

Info: Dewald Venter

_________________
How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Whow, this is just great. Loved it!
There should be a comprehensive book written, with lots & lots of pretty picks, about this most magnificent beast of an AH. It will certainly be a best seller....

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Da-di-da-da-da

The ADM looked cool with the wingtip air to air missile rail.
Pitty they removed it, it made our helicopter unique.

Denel Rooivalk in United Nations Service:

The Rooivalk has seen service in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of a United Nations Intervention Brigade (MONUSCO) since 2013. Three Rooivalk helicopters at a time operate from the Composite Helicopter Unit, at Goma. The base is shared with other UN helicopters, as well as SAAF Oryx transport helicopters.

It is known that some of the Rooivalk helicopters were flown into the Congo onboard a Kazakhstan registered IL-76 transport aircraft, allegedly without Parliament’s knowledge during May 2013. This deployment to Gemena happened after the Central African Republic (CAR) killings and the deaths of fourteen SANDF troops in Bangui, the CAR capital. This deployment happened before Parliament had approved a United Nations mission. These helicopters were still in the standard camouflage scheme when unloaded. The Minister of Defence, at the time, claimed that the deployment was merely to support the withdrawal of South African troops from the troubled state.

(The Gemena deployment was part of a wider reaction: An SF group and three Oryx at Gemena (the latter from Goma), four Gripens at Kinshasa and a para combat team at, I think, Entebbe.)

The first official declared deployment of the Rooivalk helicopters, as part of the UN force, was towards the end of October 2013. From 2013 to 2015, the Rooivalk helicopters flew 1163 hours in the DRC and by mid-2016 the helicopters had already flown around 1500 hours on UN missions. Two of the helicopters are available for operations on a 24/7 standby basis.

The first action that the helicopters took part in was on 4 November 2013, barely a week after their arrival in the region. In this mission two of the helicopters attacked a M23 rebel base. The Rooivalks fired five salvoes of their 70mm rockets against the enemy bunkers and anti-aircraft weapons. The two Rooivalks expended 355 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and 304 70mm rockets. During 2015, almost eighteen hours were flown during six live engagements when 225 rounds of 20mm ammunition and 456 rockets were delivered in action.

Most of the Rooivalk missions flown in the DRC are intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance missions. Other missions include convoy escort and escort for transport helicopters. The three helicopters deployed during November 2013, included numbers 670, 671 and 676. The helicopters were all painted overall white, with various UN markings, as well as a UN individual serial number per helicopter. These numbers were 670 – UNO 817, 671 – UNO 818 and 676 – UNO 816. The helicopters were rotated during their service period and 671 was also observed with the UN serial number of UNO 817 and 674 with the UN serial number of UNO 816. When numbered as UNO 817, during a later deployment, Rooivalk 671 carried the “UN” letters ahead of the stub wings, while the letters were painted behind the stub wings when the helicopter was numbered as UNO 818. It would appear that during the second, or later deployment the “UN” letters were painted ahead of the stub wings and the rocket pods were painted black.

In total the following Rooivalk helicopters had all been observed with the overall white finish for UN operations: 670, 671, 672, 674, 676 and 680. Three of the “white” Rooivalks had also been photographed with nose art on the fuselage sides, ahead of the windshield. Rooivalk 670 was photographed during September 2018, with artwork of “a witch riding her broom” on the nose section. Rooivalk 674 was observed with “shark-mouth and eye” markings on the forward fuselage and ammunition bay, while serving as UNO 816, at Goma. In this case the “UN” letters were also painted ahead of the stub wings, as on 671, indicating the second deployment period. Rooivalk 676 was photographed in February 2017, with artwork of “an angel/women figure with outstretched wings” and three cartridges below this, on the forward nose. In the case of 676, it appeared that the artwork was only applied on the left hand side of the nose.

The UN opted during 2018 to cancel the Rooivalk deployment, due to the cost of the helicopters as part of forced budget cuts that the organization had to make. After intervension by the SADC states, the withdrawal had been halted for further negotiations.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?