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Atlas Alpha Xh-1The Alpha XH-1 was a prototype attack helicopter built by Atlas Aviation (now Denel Aviation) of South Africa, which used it as a concept demonstrator for the then-planned Rooivalk project. It was developed from an Alouette III airframe, retaining that helicopter's engine and dynamic components, but replacing the original cockpit with a stepped tandem one, adding a 20mm cannon on the nose 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 Rooivalk. It should be noted however that 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: two, pilot and gunner
- Fuselage length: 10.56 m (34.64 ft)
- Main rotor diameter: 11.02 m (36.15 ft)
- Height: 2.73 m (8.6 ft)
- Main rotor area: m² ( ft²)
- Empty: 1,400 kg (3,086 lb)
- Loaded: kg ( lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 2,200kg (4,850 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 x Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft, 410 kW (550 shp)
Performance - Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph)
- Range: 550 km (344 miles)
- Service ceiling: m ( ft)
- Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
- Main rotor loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
- Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)
Armament Related content Related development: Arospatiale Alouette III Comparable aircraft: Designation sequence: XH-1 - AH-2
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