Atlas XH-1 Alpha

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

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, 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.

Specifications (XH-1)

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)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
• 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)
• Cruise speed: 185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn)
• Combat range: 275 km (171 mi, 148 nmi)
• Rate of climb: 4.1 m/s (800 ft/min)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × Vektor GA-1 Rattler 20mm cannon in a chin turret with 1,000 rounds

See also

Related development

• Aérospatiale Alouette III
• Denel Rooivalk

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Bell 207 Sioux Scout
• Cicaré CH-14 Aguilucho
• IAR 317 Airfox
• HESA Shahed 285

Related lists

• List of attack aircraft
• List of rotorcraft

References

• "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.