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Dean
PostPosted: 05 Sep 2018, 08:46 
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5 Sep 2018: http://www.SAairforce.co.za
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SAAF helicopter damaged in DRC evading ground fire

A South African Air Force (SAAF) helicopter was slightly damaged whilst evading ground fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday.

It is believed that the Oryx medium transport helicopter, deployed under the United Nations (UN) flag, was fired upon in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), sustaining damage to its rotor blades whilst evading ground fire when flying in the Beni area.

The aircraft landed safely without injury to the crew.

The SAAF operates a number of Oryx medium transport helicopters and three Rooivalk attack helicopters on behalf of the UN in the DRC. They form part of the aviation unit of MONUSCO and its Force Intervention Brigade (FIB). South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi's soldiers are all part of the UN intervention brigade to bring the various rebel groups operating in the east of the DRC under control. The FIB is the first ever UN peacekeeping force given an offensive mandate.

Confirmation from the SANDF is still awaited.

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Mistral
PostPosted: 05 Sep 2018, 12:17 
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Bring in the Rooivalks !!!
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Dean
PostPosted: 05 Sep 2018, 12:38 
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I thought SOP was always to have a Rooivalk accompany an Oryx, or two Oryx to fly together.

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Airfire
PostPosted: 05 Sep 2018, 13:36 
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Wonder how they damaged the rotor blades avoiding ground fire..did they clip a tree or two..or was just flying too low and clipped ground or trees..in a so called avoiding enemy fire,and yes SOP is to have two Oryx or with Rooivalk..where they alone on this flight?

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Darren
PostPosted: 12 Sep 2018, 18:52 
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They were alone and very, very low when they came under fire. The pilot in command performed evasive actions, avoiding the ground fire but clipping three of the rotors on a tree. All three rotors have damaged tips and need to be replaced, but the aircraft is otherwise undamaged.

As a result of MONUSCO no longer being able to fund the Rooivalks, they've been shifted to a new arrangement where it seems SA pays most of the costs for their sustainment and will pay for any cost of scrambles to support SA forces. There may still be an arrangement for MONUSCO to use the aircraft as well, but I'm trying to get details.

Apparently the Mi-24s were allocated to another mission and could not provide top cover. Unfortunately the US govt has slashed MONUSCO's budget so much that it has to allocate resources sparingly.

The aircraft was 1227 (UN 820).
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Bluce
PostPosted: 14 Sep 2018, 14:21 
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Some good Intel there. :smt023
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boertjie
PostPosted: 19 Sep 2018, 07:35 
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Very sorry to hear about this accident. Very glad to hear that injuries are limited or none. However, another Oryx lost. How many operable Oryxes are still available and how long before this work horse will have to be replaced? Are planning for replacement already in place and what about a budget plan???
I sincerely hope no delayed injuries to any of the crew or those on board.

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CheetahSupporter
PostPosted: 22 Sep 2018, 11:26 
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boertjie wrote:
However, another Oryx lost.
The earlier report was that the helicopter just sustained damaged rotor blades - has this changed to a write-off?
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Dean
PostPosted: 22 Sep 2018, 20:37 
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Nope, some damage and easily repaired.

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Mikoyan_2129
PostPosted: 30 Oct 2018, 21:25 
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Yes, damaged rotor blades are quick and easy to change (in aviation terms! It's not like changing the magazine of an R4 rifle), the Oryx will be ready to fly again really soon... If it isn't already flying, that is!
But yeah, these parts have always been and will always be the main weak spot of helicopters, that's why the Russians try to make everything there out of titanium, for example; even an armoured helo like a Hind can be brought down by small arms fire if it gets hit in the rotor axle.
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