The Rooivalk is probably quite an obscure attack helicopter, considering it does not belong to any of the manufacturers we are used to seeing around. In fact, it’s not even from one of the countries or regions that we are used to seeing these coming from.
Developed in South Africa, this helicopter was produced from 1990 to 2007 and it’s still in service.
The team working on this bird, is called The Air.Tech and they are not exactly new. This team has created the Pilatus PC7 MkII for the Virtual Silver Falcons, and they are also working on an XA41 with the Marksmen Aerobatics Display team.
One of the team members is JinxxDCS, a community modder and developer that has been involved in his own projects but also collaborating with other teams. Frank Moody, Cuan Hahndiek, Matthew Brooks and Nicholas Wilby are the rest of the gang.
The team sent us some screenshots as well as a list of official features planned for the initial release:
- High-Quality 3D Model: A meticulously detailed and accurate 3D model of the Rooivalk, accurately representing its exterior and interior.
- High-Resolution Textures: Photorealistic textures for a visually immersive experience based on real-world Rooivalks from 16 squadron, including the iconic Rooivalk camo and United Nations variants.
- Realistic Animations: Animated rotor blades, landing gear, doors, and other moving parts for authenticity.
- Accurate Flight Model: A flight model that replicates the Rooivalk's flight characteristics, handling, and performance. Within the limitations of the simulator
- Authentic Sound: Realistic sound effects, including engine, rotor, and warnings for an immersive auditory experience.
- Functional Cockpit: A fully interactive cockpit with operational buttons, switches, and gauges.
- Avionics Suite: An avionics suite as accurate as possible, respecting the classified nature of the Rooivalk, with functional displays.
- Multiple Liveries: Multiple liveries to choose from, allowing users to personalize their Rooivalk.
- Advanced Lighting: Realistic exterior and interior lighting for day and night operations.
- VR Compatibility: Support for virtual reality for a more immersive experience. Developed and tested with VR in mind
- Community and Developer Support: Ongoing updates, bug fixes, and engagement with the flight simulation community.
- Realistic Animations: Animated crew members, gunners, and other personnel within the helicopter to enhance realism.
- Accurate representation: TheAIR.Tech is working with Rooivalk subject matter experts to ensure that the helicopter is accurate in every way possible, within the limitations of the aircrafts classified nature.
And, of course, they will keep on improving the model. With that in mind, they also have a list of future features that probably won’t make version 1.0.
- Realistic Payload Management: Ability to load and manage various mission-specific payloads such as rockets, anti-tank missiles, and countermeasures, and drop tanks.
- SANDF ground assets
- Effects such as flares
- More South African Airforce aircraft
- Fictional liveries
This will be a payware product. As for a release date, there’s none right now but you can get your updates from the official Facebook page and, of course, we will also let you know as soon as we hear something about it.
