Denel Aeronautics and Aselsan have signed an agreement covering future avionics modernisation of the Rooivalk attack helicopter, following an earlier memorandum of understanding announced at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition last year.
Denel said it signed a Certificate of Milestone Achievement with Aselsan on 27 July, establishing a workshare definition concerning avionics modernisation. The two companies have identified areas of cooperation for a potential upgrade of the helicopter, which is currently at Block 1F baseline.
At AAD in September 2022, Denel and Aselsan agreed to work towards integration of Aselsan’s MEROPS system on the Rooivalk and possibly on the Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle. A MEROPS gimbal was displayed alongside the Rooivalk in the static area of the exhibition.
(...) Denel’s interim Group Chief Executive Officer, Michael Kgobe, said Aselsan’s
“expertise and capabilities make them the preferred technology partner for the South African Rooivalk modernisation programme and we are delighted that Aselsan continues to show commitment to our collaborative agreement, exceeding the objectives and scope of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2022 within just six months.”
Aselsan upgrades to the Rooivalk’s avionics system would include an
enhanced glass cockpit with larger screens, digital moving map, a new helmet-mounted display system and a modern flight management system. “These will be driven by two new mission computers that will control different aircraft management systems,” Denel said, along with a new weapon systems computer.