Atlas XH-1 Alpha
The Atlas XH -1 Alpha is a helicopter of the South African producer Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa, which was built as Konzeptdemonstrator for later Rooivalk attack helicopter.
History and construction
The XH -1 Alpha was developed from an Aérospatiale Alouette III cell, wherein the drive and dynamic components were retained. Instead of the original cockpit a stepped tandem cockpit was installed, and a 20 mm cannon under the nose. At the same time, the displacement of the nose wheel was back so that the helicopter was now equipped with a spur wheel chassis. The XH -1 first flew on 3 February 1985, soon launched a rigorous flight test program to investigate the needs of a combat helicopter production in southern Africa. The results were ultimately so good that Atlas was commissioned by the South African Air Force with the development of its own attack helicopter, the AH -2 Rooivalk.
The XH -1 and Rooivalk are completely different models and have no common components.