Rooivalk receives UK qualification
Date: 21 September 2010
The Rooivalk AH-2A, the South-African designed combat support helicopter, has received a major accolade that will enable it to be deployed in peace-keeping and combat operations across the world.
Mike Kgobe, CEO of Denel Aviation mentions that the helicopter complied with the stringent and globally recognised DEF STAN 00-970 qualification - a United Kingdom defence standard for military helicopters. A Certificate of Design for the Rooivalk detailing final qualification of the aircraft was issued by Denel Aviation to enable the Military Airworthiness Board to issue the final type certificate of the helicopter system.
Mike Kgobe, says: "This is the first time that qualification of a major helicopter type has been accomplished in South Africa in accordance with international design standards."
"This is a major achievement, not only for Denel Aviation, but also for South Africa and the rest of industry, to have our very own product measured and recognised against stringent international requirements that are applicable in the aviation industry.
"There can be no doubt that the Rooivalk is now ‘the best of breed' aircraft flying in the African skies," says Mr Kgobe.
The qualification in accordance with an internationally recognised standard means that the Rooivalk AH-2A can now be seamlessly integrated into any international military or peace-keeping force anywhere in the world, especially in Africa.
Denel Aviation completed the development and qualification of the Rooivalk AH-2A combat support helicopter to the Block 1F configuration, which is the baseline prepared for the South African Air Force (SAAF) for deployment in peacekeeping operations.
Mr Kgobe says the completion of Rooivalk qualification represents a culmination of investments made over the years and puts a combat-ready helicopter weapon system at the disposal of the South African Air Force for use in a variety of roles.
Mr Renier van Rooyen, the Chief Design Engineer on the Rooivalk says the qualification process is an important development in a long-line of achievements over more than 25 years. Mr Van Rooyen was part of the original team that started with the design of the helicopter in 1984.
The Block 1F configuration incorporates a total of 130 modifications on the aircraft and a further 9 modifications to the aircraft's ground support equipment. A major feature of the modifications is the upgrading of the sighting system on the Rooivalk for improved reliability.
Other modifications include a new communications management system, the addition of radio navigation equipment, cannon and rocket system accuracy improvements, as well as upgrades to other mission systems.
Mr Van Rooyen says more than 2900 flight hours accumulated on three prototype Rooivalk aircraft and two Rooivalk production-standard aircraft contributed to the formal qualification of the type. "The mission and weapon systems were evaluated successfully over a range of environmental conditions" mentions Van Rooyen.
The Certificate of Design detailing the final qualification of the aircraft would be handed over to the SAAF. The Certificate would enable the Military Airworthiness Board of the SAAF to consider the issuing of a Military Type Certificate for the Rooivalk, and subsequent retrofit of the Rooivalk fleet to the Block 1F configuration. This work can all be done by the technical staff at Denel Aviation.
Source; Denel Aviation
