- Yes
- No
Hello and welcome to my suggestion for the Atlas Rooivalk XDM/ ADM! The first prototypes of the AH-2 Rooivalk we have in game as a now removed premium pack. I feel this has a strong reason to come to game potentially as a future Tech Tree Rooivalk or in another form such as a Squadron vehicle hopefully in the near future.
DISCLAMER: The reason I am suggesting these two together is for two reasons, they are both almost identical airframes except for the fact that the XDM could not fire weapons, however as most of the Info and pictures on them are mixed due to them looking exactly the same I have chosen to sandwich them together, however the ADM is the only one that could realistically come to game
History
Spoiler
The Development of the Rooivalk starting in the Early 80s with the Development of the XH-1 Alpha showing the Feasibility of a future South African Helicopter, soon after the Alphas success the Rooivalk project was started in the mid 80s and lead to the creation (Or modification depending on how you look at it) of a another Aircraft, the XPT-1 Beta, in order to trial weapons and systems that would be incorporated onto the Final design in the early 90s.
As development of the Rooivalk continued through the turn of the decade the first prototype was produced using most of the equipment tested by the Beta on a sleeker and more ergonomic airframe compared to the relatively large and slow airframe of the Beta. The First prototype took off on the 11th of February 1990 and underwent a wide variety of trials for its systems and flight performance that Atlas and the South African Air Force were still new to, the airframe was also used as a technology demonstrator with it being shown at several famous air shows including Farnborough and Paris in an attempt to encourage possible export sales abroad.
The Airframe was tested heavily from 1990 to 1992 and was only stopped due to a further development, the ADM, being pushed out featuring several upgrades over the previous model and as the XDM was now obsolete it was retired from service and was given to the SAAF Museum for display where it resides to this day.
The ADM or Advanced development model was first Flown on the 22nd of May 1992 and was almost identical to the XDM except that it featured a fully functional sensors and weapons suite, this airframe was used as a platform to test the Weapons systems used on the final production Rooivalk, hence all of its armament is identical except for the fact that the ADMs Air to Air missiles were V3Bs rather than Mistrals.
Images
Spoiler
Rooivalk ADM at Farnbrough, Rocket pods, ZT-3 and V3D shown as armament
Rooivalk XDM being rolled out for its first test flight in 1990
The Rooivalk XDM or ADM during a test flight
Picture of the three Rooivalk Prototypes in flight together, the XDM (Background), ADM (Middle) and EDM (Foreground)
Rooivalk XDM during tests in the South African desert
Rooivalk ADM Flying alongside an Atlas Puma
Specs/ Armament
Spoiler
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (pilot & weapon systems officer)
- Length: 18.73 m (61 ft 5 in) overall
16.39 m (54 ft) fuselage only
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Height: 5.19 m (17 ft 0 in)
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Empty weight: 5,730 kg (12,632 lb)
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Gross weight: 7,500 kg (16,535 lb)
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Max takeoff weight: 8,750 kg (19,290 lb)
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Fuel capacity: 1,854 L (490 US gal; 408 imp gal)
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Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshaft engines, 1,420 kW (1,900 hp) each
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Main rotor diameter: × 15.58 m (51 ft 1 in)
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Main rotor area: 190.6 m2 (2,052 sq ft)
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Blade section: NACA 0015
Performance
- Cruise speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn) at sea level (max cruise)
- Never exceed speed: 309 km/h (192 mph, 167 kn)
- Range: 740 km (460 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level (max cruise)
- Ferry range: 720 km (450 mi, 390 nmi) at 1,525 m (5,003 ft) (max external fuel)
- Service ceiling: 6,100 m (20,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 13.3 m/s (2,620 ft/min)
Armament
- 1 × F2 20 mm cannon, 700 rounds
- 8 or 16 × Mokopa ZT-3 or ZT-6 long-range anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM)
- 2 x V3B Missiles (On designated Wing Pylons)
- 38 or 76 × 70 mm rockets folding fin aerial rockets (FFAR) or Wrap-Around (WA) (FZ90 70mm WA)
- FZ275 LGR Laser Guided Rocket
Place in game
Spoiler
I feel that the ADM would be a valid choice for a possible future Vehicle for the British Heli tree, currently the tree is severely lacking in quantity with only 4 Non Premium vehicles (Joint last with Japan) and I believe it would be a valid option to create a possible South African Helicopter Subtree to supplement to currently barebones British Heli Tree.
In terms of BR id expect it would be almost identical to the current Rooivalk as it shares the same features of the current one just with some minor weapons and visual changes.
Sources