Denel Rooivalk Mk1 Model 3D

Designed and produced in South Africa, the Denel Rooivalk  is a battlefield support and attack helicopter, capable of day night and adverse weather operations. It was developed through the 1980s using the experience gained in producing the Puma helicopter for the South African Air Force and in building two experimental attack helicopters based on the older French Alouette design.The Rooivalk's extra-strong fuselage is mostly metal but with some composites. It has stepped tandem cockpits, with the pilot in the rear and the co-pilot/gunner in the front. The cockpit canopies are formed from flat plate on single curvature sheets to minimise glint from the sun. The t*** Topaz turboshaft engines are uprated versions of the Turbomeca Turmo IV and the main rotor is similar to that fitted to the Aerospatiale Puma.With a total of only 16 Rooivalks ordered for the South African Air Force, further production is uncertain.