Atlas XH-1 Alpha
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| XH-1 Alpha | |
|---|---|
 Alpha XH-1 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Prototype |
| Manufacturer | Atlas Aviation Denel |
| Status | Retired |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 3 February 1985 |
| Developed from | Aérospatiale Alouette III |
The Atlas XH-1 Alpha is a prototype attack helicopter built by Atlas Aviation (now Denel) of South Africa, which used it as a concept demonstrator for the then-planned Rooivalk project.
Development
[edit]It was developed from an Aérospatiale Alouette III airframe, retaining that helicopter's engine and dynamic components, but replacing the original cockpit with a stepped tandem one, adding a 20 mm cannon under the chin and converting the undercarriage to tail-dragger configuration.
The XH-1 first flew on 3 February 1985,[1] and soon embarked on a rigorous flight test program to examine the feasibility of a dedicated attack helicopter in southern African conditions. The results were ultimately good enough to convince Atlas and the South African Air Force to go ahead with the development of a dedicated attack helicopter, the Denel Rooivalk.
The XH-1 and Rooivalk are completely different aircraft and share no components. The Rooivalk was developed from the later XH-2 prototype.
The sole XH-1 was retired sometime in the late 1980s and was handed over to the South African Air Force Museum, where it remains to this day.[citation needed]
Specifications (XH-1)
[edit]General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10.56 m (34 ft 8 in)
- Height: 2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)
- Empty weight: 1,400 kg (3,086 lb) [2]
- Max takeoff weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) [2]
- Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft, 410 kW (550 hp)
- Main rotor diameter: 11.02 m (36 ft 2 in)
- Main rotor area: 95.4 m2 (1,027 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn) [2]
- Cruise speed: 185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn) [2]
- Combat range: 275 km (171 mi, 148 nmi) [2]
- Rate of climb: 4.1 m/s (800 ft/min) [2]
Armament
- Guns: 1 × Vektor GA-1 Rattler 20mm cannon in a chin turret with 1,000 rounds
See also
[edit]
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
[edit]
- "An Alpha From Atlas". Air International. Vol. 30, no. 6. June 1986. p. 299. ISSN 0306-5634.
- Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1986). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1986–87. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-7106-0835-7.