The maritime Rooivalk would be equipped with a 360ø search radar in place of the chin cannon turret, a nose-mounted optronic sensor turret, flotation gear on the sponsons and the tail boom, and manual folding rotor blades. The tail wheel would be moved forward by 2m for deck operation. It would also have shorter stub wings able to carry an anti-ship missile as well as air-to-air missiles on the tips. Drop tanks could be carried to extend the range. The concept originated with the United Kingdom's Air 87 requirement, which included elements of marinisation to enable the attack helicopter to operate from a ship in support of the Royal Marines or other forces engaged in an amphibious operation. Denel realised that the Rooivalk could relatively easily meet the marinisation parts of the requirement. That led to further analysis of the changing role of navies in littoral operations, in which a naval attack helicopter seemed to offer considerable potential - both in shipborne operations in support of a landing force, and in the anti-ship role. In the latter role the Rooivalk would have a mission radius of over 150nm (278km) with two Exocets, while presenting a smaller cross-section. In closer engagements, Rooivalk would have the advantages of armour protection and battle damage tolerance generally not found in shipboard helicopters. The Rooivalk's digital 1553 and 1776 architecture will allow it to be readily adapted to sensors, communications and EW systems and weapons required in the maritime role, including missiles in the class of the Penguin and the Exocet.
Northrop N381 Manta naval strike aircraft