The AHRLAC (Advanced High-performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft) is a budget-minded, light strike solution currently under development by Paramount Group and Aerosud Group of South Africa. Paramount's primary workload has previously revolved around the training and support of active African peacekpeeing forces while Aerosud, founded in 1990 by former engineers of the Denel "Rooivalk" attack helicopter program of the South African Army, has maintained a resume ranging from support of French Dassault Mirage F1 and Russian Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter engines to parts supply for defense powerhouses such as Boeing and BAe Systems. The ARHLAC design was first unveiled to the public during 2011 and represents the first indigenously designed and developed aircraft of South Africa.
The aircraft has been given a two-crew, tandem seat arrangement similar to that as seen in attack helicopters - offering excellent views over and under the main wing element as well as out-of-the-cockpit. The fuselage is of a nacelle form, short length, and houses the cockpits, avionics, fuel and engine installation. Each crew position can be afforded the optional Martin-Baker Mk.16 series ejection seat and is set to utilize a new generation IFR cockpit with full-color Multi-Function Displays (MFDs). The engine is set to the rear of the fuselage nacelle, the nacelle supporting a single, high-mounted mainplane unit which provides strong lifting principles and control while granting the needed clearance for ground personnel and available underwing munitions. The engine is arranged in a "pusher" configuration at the rear of the aircraft, driving a four- or five-bladed propeller assembly (available imagery has shown both forms) and aspirated by small, slit air intakes found along the fuselage sides. Twin booms emerge from the mainplane trailing edges and support a single horizontal tailplane between two vertical tail fins. The wide track undercarriage is of a tricycle arrangement and fully retractable while designed with the rigors of rough field operation in mind. The lower section of the fuselage, aft of the cockpit, is purposely being developed as a modular area, able to accept a variety of premade, multi-mission "pallets" to quickly change the effective battlefield role of the aircraft on-the-fly.
The light strike market is a resurging one with many similar-minded vehicle types being put forth by several manufactures including Boeing, Beechcraft, Embraer and Textron AirLand. The AHRLAC intends to fulfill this same role as a direct competitor though at lower procurement cost. Compared to its contemporaries, the ARHLAC showcases a lighter operating weight and simpler design which, in turn, reduce procurement and operating costs considerably. Its weight, coupled with its design and engine installation, provide the AHRLAC with good maneuverability and strong missions support, allowing flyers to loiter over hot zones with the necessary munitions at hand. Short Take-Off and Landings (STOLs) are an inherent quality of the AHRLAC, broadening its tactical value in-the-field.
Beyond its assumed light strike role, the AHRLAC is also being developed with other roles in mind - namely border control and enforcement, humanitarian relief support, national security, maritime patrol and environmental protection. For this, the modular payload function comes into play, allowing for a quick turn-around when generating a whole new aircraft for a new required mission role. Premade packages include unarmed/armed patrol and reconnaissance, training, cargo transport and, of course, light attack.
Specifications for the AHRLAC currently state a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 3,800 kilograms. Maximum speed will reach the vicinity of 315 miles per hour with a service ceiling of 31,000 feet and ferry range out to 2,300 miles. Power is being served through 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B series turboprop engine developing 950 horsepower.
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March 2016 - A partnership between Paramount and Boeing was announced to bring about ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and light strike capabilities to the AHRLAC design. The militarized variant will be known as "Mwari".
December 2017 - Total AHRLAC production numbers two flyable prototypes.
January 2018 - It was revealed that official AHRLAC production has begun for the still-unnamed stable of Paramount customers.
February 2018 - Bronco Combat Systems USA has started to showcase the Mwari-based "Bronco II" variant to the American market.
May 2020 - The Bronco II will be actively marketed by Paramount / Leidos against the United States Special Operations COMmand (SOCOM) "Armed Overwatch" program.
September 2022 - It was revealed that Paramount has begun deliveries of its Mwari product to an undisclosed customer.
Specifications
Paramount Group / Aerosud Group - South Africa / Boeing - USA; Bronco Combat Systems USA - USA Manufacturer(s)
GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
34.4 ft (10.50 meters) Length
39.4 ft (12.00 meters) Width/Span
13.1 ft (4.00 meters) Height
8,378 lb (3,800 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.
High-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted at the upper-most position allowable along the dorsal line of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
1 x Pratt & Whitney PT6A-66B engine of 950 horsepower driving four- or five-blade propeller in pusher configuration. Propulsion
Up to 1,700 lb of ordnance across four underwing external hardpoints (for rocket pods, gun pods, cannon pods, air-to-surface missiles, and anti-tank missiles). Optional fuselage-mounted 20mm or 30mm automatic cannon in portside nose section.
4 Hardpoints
AHRLAC- Base Series Designation
"Mwari" - Militarized variant of the AHRLAC through partnership with Boeing; additions to include ISR capabilities and weapons support.
"Bronco II" - Revised form of 2018.
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
38
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 400mph
Lo: 200mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (311mph).
Graph average of 300 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (2)
2
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
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Images
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Image courtesy of Paramount Group marketing material; All rights reserved.
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Image courtesy of Paramount Group marketing material; All rights reserved.
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Image courtesy of Paramount Group marketing material; All rights reserved.
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Image courtesy of Paramount Group marketing material; All rights reserved.
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