Military Helicopters
Mil Mi-26 “Halo”
ICAO: MI26
Overview
The Denel AH-2 Rooivalk is a South African attack helicopter introduced in the 2000s. Designed to operate in hot and high environments, it supports anti-armor and close support missions. The aircraft represents a domestically developed combat rotorcraft.
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshafts
- Engine type
- Turboshaft
- Power
- 2 × 2,000 shp · 1,491 kW
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 2
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 61 ft 5 in · 18.73 m
- Tail height
- 17 ft 0 in · 5.19 m
- Fuselage diameter
- —
- Wing span
- 51 ft 1 in · 15.58 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 19,300 lb · 8,750 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 7,850 lb · 3,550 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 490 gal · 1,900 L · 1,500 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 150 kt · 173 mph · 278 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 610 nm · 700 mi · 1,130 km
- Fuel burn
- 1.26 nm/gal · 0.62 km/L
- Ceiling
- 20,000 ft · 6,100 m
- Rate of climb
- 2,620 ft/min · 13 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
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Operational Context
Denel AH-2 Rooivalk — attack helicopter
The Rooivalk first flew in 1990 and entered service in 2011 after extended development. It features a tandem cockpit and rugged airframe optimized for African operating conditions. The helicopter integrates advanced targeting systems.
Two turboshaft engines producing approximately 1,845 shaft horsepower each power the aircraft. Cruise speed approaches 150 knots (278 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 19,000 pounds (8,618 kg).
The Rooivalk has been deployed in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Its development reflects South Africa’s independent aerospace capability. The aircraft remains in limited operational service.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.