Paramount AHRLAC (Mwari)

History

AHRLAC (Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft) is a low cost light aircraft solution currently being developed by Paramount Group and South Africa's Aerosud Group. Paramount's main work previously revolved around training and supporting active-duty African peacekeepers, while Aerosud, founded in 1990 by a former engineer of the South African Army's Denel "Rooivalk" attack helicopter program, has a resume supporting France's Dassault Hand Mirage F1 and Russia's Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jet engine, supplying parts to defense contractors such as Boeing and BAe Systems.

The ARHLAC design was first shown to the public in 2011 and represents the first indigenously designed and developed aircraft in South Africa.

The aircraft has a two-crew tandem seating arrangement similar to an attack helicopter - excellent visibility above and below the main wing elements and outside the cockpit. The fuselage is nacelle-shaped and short in length to accommodate the cockpit, avionics, fuel and power units. Each crew position can be equipped with an optional Martin-Baker Mk. The 16-series ejection seats are said to use a new generation IFR cockpit with a full-color Multi-Function Display (MFD).

The engines are located aft of the fuselage nacelle, which supports a single elevated main aircraft unit, providing a strong lift principle and control while providing the necessary clearance for ground crew and available underwing munitions. The engine is located in a "thrust" configuration at the tail of the aircraft, driving a four- or five-blade propeller assembly (available images show both forms) and sucked in through small slotted air intakes located on the sides of the fuselage. Twin cantilevers emerge from the trailing edge of the main aircraft and support a horizontal tail between two vertical tails. The wide track undercarriage is three-wheeled and fully retractable, while being designed for severe field use.

The lower part of the fuselage behind the cockpit is intentionally designed as a modular area capable of accommodating a variety of pre-engineered multi-mission "trays" to rapidly change the aircraft's effective battlefield role in flight.

The wingtips are equipped with anti-missile flare dispensers, and a high-gain SATCOM antenna is identified on the fuselage spine at the center of the main wingspan. The internal antenna, Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) are located at the rear of the aircraft. The front of the boom contains the FLIR, Enhanced Vision System (EVS) and additional antenna. Another RWR is installed inside the nose cone. The multitasking pod on the back can present FLIRball, ELINT, RADAR, COMMINT and camera.

A compact sensing unit is mounted on a small sideboard for increased situational awareness. Along the port side of the nose assembly is an optional 20mm or 30mm hull gun housing. Each wing can carry two or three under-wing hardpoints for carrying rocket pods or guided/homing missiles.

The light hit market is recovering as multiple manufacturers such as Boeing, Beechcraft, Embraer and Textron Aviation launch many like-minded models. AHRLAC intends to perform the same role as its direct competitors with lower procurement costs. Compared to contemporaries, ARHLAC has a lighter operating weight and simpler design, resulting in significantly lower procurement and operating costs.

Its weight, combined with its design and engine mounts, provides the AHRLAC with good maneuverability and strong mission support, allowing pilots carrying the necessary munitions to hover over hot zones. Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) is an inherent quality of AHRLAC and extends its tactical value in the field.

In addition to the assumed light strike role, AHRLAC has other roles in mind in its development ??namely border control and law enforcement, humanitarian aid support, national security, maritime patrol and environmental protection. This is where the Modular Payload feature comes in, allowing for rapid implementation when generating entirely new aircraft for new desired mission roles.

Pre-packaged packages include unarmed/armed patrol and reconnaissance, training, cargo transportation, and of course light assault.

AHRLAC's specifications currently specify a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 3,800 kg. Top speed will be close to 315 mph, service will be capped at 31,000 feet, and the ferry will have a range of up to 2,300 miles.

Power is provided by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B series turboprop engines rated at 950 hp.

Between 17 and 19 May, the AHRLAC prototype was moved to a new test site at Wonderboom Airport, north of Johannesburg, for its first round of flights. This assumes a year of operation around 2015 or 2016.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes