Atlas XH-1 Alpha

XH-1 Alpha
Alpha XH-1
Role Prototype
Manufacturer Atlas Aviation
Denel
First flight 3 February 1985
Status Retired
Number built 1
Developed from Aérospatiale Alouette III

The Alpha XH-1 was 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

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.

Operators

 South Africa

Specifications (XH-1)

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alpha (SAAF).
  1. Air International June 1986, p.599.
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