Denel Rooivalk

Rooivalk
A Denel Rooivalk in flight
Role	Attack helicopter Type of aircraft
National origin	South Africa
Manufacturer	Denel Aviation
First flight	11 February 1990[1]
Introduction	1 April 2011
Status	Out of service and in production
Primary user	South African Air Force
Produced	1990–2007
Number built	15
Developed from	Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma

The Denel Rooivalk (previously designated AH-2 and CSH-2) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for "Red Falcon", which refers to the lesser kestrel.^[2] Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, both aircraft being based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started development at the same time.

Development of the Rooivalk was protracted due to the impact of limited budgets during the 1990s, and a desire to produce a highly advanced attack helicopter. The South African Air Force (SAAF) ordered 12 Rooivalk, designated the Rooivalk Mk 1 in SAAF service, the first of which were officially handed over in April 2011.^[3] The helicopters are flown by 16 Squadron, based at AFB Bloemspruit near Bloemfontein.