Denel Aviation
Denel AviationDenel Aviation, part of South Africa's state-owned Denel (Pty) Ltd, is primarily a military maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business, with more than 40 years' experience in this field. From this capability base it lends support to the local and international manufacturers of rotary and fixed wing aircraft and clients by providing MRO services.
It has been assigned formal Aviation Maintenance Organisation (AMO) status by Lockheed Martin. The achievement comes on the heels of Denel Aviation's accreditation in 2007 as a Eurocopter MRO centre. This provides for maintenance and repair of the Puma and Alouette helicopters, as well as for the mechanical and dynamic components on the fleet of Oryx medium transport and Rooivalk combat helicopters in service with the South African Air Force (SAAF). Given the many Eurocopter products in Southern Africa and approximately 150 Lockheed C-130 aircraft in need of service and overhaul in the African market alone, Denel Aviation is exploring new opportunities in the region. Denel Aviation has started engaging with AgustaWestland, Saab, BAE Systems and Airbus in anticipation of agreed local MRO support for the new platforms that are being delivered to the SAAF from these companies. These include the A109 light utility helicopter (LUH), Super Lynx shipborne helicopter, Gripen advanced jet fighter, Hawk Mk120 lead-in fighter trainer and A400M military transporter Rotary Wing MRO Overview Denel Aviation's well-established product support department performs maintenance, modifications, upgrades and conversions on military and civilian rotary wing aircraft. Among other services, it offers:
Component MRO Overview Denel Aviation's Component MRO (support workshops) offers depot level maintenance, repair and overhaul of ground support and test equipment. mechanical, avionic, electrical and composite components. This includes:
The support workshops also undertake maintenance on avionics, electrical and oxygen systems, calibration, complete stripping and painting of components, decals and signage, corrosion prevention, etc. Denel Aviation's component support workshop had been a preferred D-Level MRO to the SAAF for over 40 years The component support facilities have EASA, FAR and South African Civil Aviation Authority (SA CAA) certifications. Fixed Wing MRO Overview Denel Aviation has a established aircraft technical support facility with a sound, well-positioned infrastructure offering a wide range of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for both military and commercial aircraft. These include:
Engineering Support & Flight Test Overview This facility is located on Denel Aviation's site adjacent to OR Tambo International Airport. The Denel Aviation Flight Test Centre offers unique possibilities for hot and high testing of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The airport elevation is 5500ft above sealevel and summer temperatures reach 35°C. A runway length of 4400m is available, and test airspace is allocated 10 nautical miles from Denel Aviation. Additionally, testing can be supported at various venues in the Republic of South Africa, including the OTB Test Range in the Western Cape province. Telemetry:Real-time data processing, formatting and display is performed by dedicated work stations through an open network data system. A mobile telemetry support vehicle is capable of supporting flight tests at remote sites. Full photographic and video facilities are available. Qualified Denel Aviation Flight Test personnel perform all design, manufacturing and installation of flight test instrumentation. Support for aircraft modifications is available from Denel Aviation's design and manufacturing departments. Pre-flight calibration of flight test parameters is traceable to National Standards, and all documentation is configuration controlled. Engineering Support Services:This department offers the following:
Rooivalk combat helicopter Denel Aviation is die original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and design authority for the Rooivalk combat helicopter. The Rooivalk, which was designed, developed and produced for the South African Air Force (SAAF), is now in service with No. 16 Squadron. The helicopter provides heavy, mobile firepower, enabling the military commander in charge of ground forces to apply flexible firepower rapidly anywhere in the operational theatre. The Rooivalk is capable of deep interdiction missions, armed reconnaissance, close air support and armed escort of the Oryx medium tactical helicopter. Denel Aviation undertakes systems integration, qualification, product support and programme management on the Rooivalk. Aero-manpower Group (AMG) Denel Aviation's Aero-manpower Group (AMG) has been providing manpower support to the SAAF for 40 years, placing expert technicians on SAAF air bases throughout the country. Denel Aviation now offers other customers a comprehensive labour brokering service (recruitment, selection, remuneration management, training and administration), focusing on aviation technical skills, engineering, Information Technology (IT) and supply chain. The aim of this business is to supply and retain skills to enable customers to execute their business objectives. |
