Developing the Rooivalk Mk2 would tick many vital boxes

A cool video released by the SANDF showing what it looks like inside the cockpit when flying the Rooivalk. Very rare seeing the inside of the cockpit in-flight.

[video=youtube;SsGuxA9yrsg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsGuxA9yrsg[/video]
 
"When promoting the Rooivalk to potential foreign clients, Denel emphasised the importance of eliminating OEM (original equipment manufacturer) restrictions and controlling intellectual property, noting that the Rooivalk’s intellectual property is vested in Denel Aviation. However, the main gearbox and main and tail rotor system (the dynamic components) are based on the Airbus Helicopters Super Puma/Oryx. Hugh Petersen, Executive Manager: Business Development at Denel Aviation, told defenceWeb that as Airbus Helicopters owns the intellectual property on the dynamic components so Denel has been in talks with them on the supply of these items." - www.defenceweb.co.za.

And this is the main problem. The Rooivalk is a competitor for their own product, so they will not want to do anything to promote the Rooivalk.
 
SoTrue said:
And this is the main problem. The Rooivalk is a competitor for their own product, so they will not want to do anything to promote the Rooivalk.
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Their relationship has gotten better between the two companies ever since Airbus bought out Eurocopter (the original owners of the dynamic component IP rights). Denel and Airbus have a number of existing and fruitful partnerships between the two and it would be silly for them to be that spiteful when they would still get a piece of the pie.
 
FoXtroT said:
Their relationship has gotten better between the two companies ever since Airbus bought out Eurocopter (the original owners of the dynamic component IP rights). Denel and Airbus have a number of existing and fruitful partnerships between the two and it would be silly for them to be that spiteful when they would still get a piece of the pie.
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It's not about being spiteful, it's just business, i.e. which one between Eurocopter and Denel can make them the most money. Guess what, it's not Denel.
 
The_Assimilator said:
It's not about being spiteful, it's just business, i.e. which one between Eurocopter and Denel can make them the most money. Guess what, it's not Denel.
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In many cases the Tiger may or will be a competitor but they are also different on a number of characteristics. If they did prevent Denel from competing they could very well shoot themselves in the foot and see the contract go to the Americans or Russians.
 
Old thread necro but from the press fotos I have seen of the Rooivalk on display at the AAD 2016 shows it carrying a different electro optical system similar to some of the systems developed by the old Denel Optronics.

weapons-for-sale-its-aad-2016.jpg
 
Blu82 said:
Old thread necro but from the press fotos I have seen of the Rooivalk on display at the AAD 2016 shows it carrying a different electro optical system similar to some of the systems developed by the old Denel Optronics.

View attachment 389558
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Hmm, that is indeed new. May be a precursor to adding the Mokopa to the fleet.

IIRC I think the current (old) targeting system is a French system that doesn't have a laser designator which is why a Mokopa couldn't be used on them. I'll see if I can find out some more info about this latest addition.
 
FoXtroT said:
Hmm, that is indeed new. May be a precursor to adding the Mokopa to the fleet.

IIRC I think the current (old) targeting system is a French system that doesn't have a laser designator which is why a Mokopa couldn't be used on them. I'll see if I can find out some more info about this latest addition.
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I can confirm the old system was French but I was pretty sure it could designate for the Mokopa.
 
Blu82 said:
I can confirm the old system was French but I was pretty sure it could designate for the Mokopa.
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There seems to be so much contradictory information about it, even from the SAAF.

I know when they first air launched the Mokopa off a Rooivalk it was designated from the ground, but thats the last I have heard of anything.
 
FoXtroT said:
There seems to be so much contradictory information about it, even from the SAAF.

I know when they first air launched the Mokopa off a Rooivalk it was designated from the ground, but thats the last I have heard of anything.
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You may beright. What I am trying to find out at the moment is to find a similar sight from major manufacturers. No direct match from Airbus Optronics, FLIR, Raytheon and WESCAM though my bet will be on an Airbus Optronics which was the old Denel Optronicss
 
Blu82 said:
You may beright. What I am trying to find out at the moment is to find a similar sight from major manufacturers. No direct match from Airbus Optronics, FLIR, Raytheon and WESCAM though my bet will be on an Airbus Optronics which was the old Denel Optronicss
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Maybe have a look at SAAB Grintek?; I think it was formally Zeiss something. Its a local company that has had many an owner/merger/acquisition.
 
FoXtroT said:
Maybe have a look at SAAB Grintek?; I think it was formally Zeiss something. Its a local company that has had many an owner/merger/acquisition.
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It was originally the Cumulus division of the old Kentron which merged with Eloptro to become Denel Optronics which became Carl Zeiss Optronics which became Cassidian Optronics which became Airbus DS Optronics and they have been sold again recently.

Regarding the Rooivalk it may just be a mock up for the revision two they want to start building.
 
cool these things perform well at combat high above sea level
 
Blu82 said:
It was originally the Cumulus division of the old Kentron which merged with Eloptro to become Denel Optronics which became Carl Zeiss Optronics which became Cassidian Optronics which became Airbus DS Optronics and they have been sold again recently.

Regarding the Rooivalk it may just be a mock up for the revision two they want to start building.
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From another forum I frequent:

It is the Airbus Argos II. It was fitted by Armscor as a research project for a possible future Rooivalk upgrade.
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http://www.saairforce.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8709&start=135

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45099&catid=124&Itemid=282
 
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