Attack helicopters are armed helicopters that serve a number of roles including primarily
that of an attack aircraft. They have often termed gunships and offer offensive capability
against enemy infantry, fortifications, and enemy vehicles like main battle tanks.
Attack helicopters often have a number of redundant systems
to make them more survivable as various systems are knocked offline in combat.
Attack helicopters are normally armed with machine guns, rockets, and anti-tank missiles.
America's Apache typically carries the AGM-114 Hellfire missile in this role. Attack helicopters
are one of the most potent offensive weapons in any modern military's arsenal.
Here are some of the most powerful attack helicopters in service in the world today.
1. Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian - America
The AH-64E (AH-64D Block III) is an upgraded version of the original AH-64A,
which was developed for the US Army, to replace the AH-1 Cobra.
The Apache helicopter saw combat during a number of recent wars.
The Apache Guardian is fitted with a mast-mounted antenna with updated Longbow fire control radar.
This attack helicopter can fire Hellfire 2 anti-tank guided missiles in fire-and-forget mode.
Other improvements include targeting, battle management system, cockpit,
communications, weapons, and navigation systems. The gunship is also fitted with a 30 mm cannon.
Deliveries of the Apache Guardian began to the US Army in 2011. A total of 634
AH-64D helicopters will be upgraded to the AH-64E standard. This attack helicopter
was approved for export. It is also in service with Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.
India, Indonesia, Iraq, and South Korea ordered this helicopter.
2. Bell AH-1Z Viper - America
The AH-1Z Viper gunship evolved from the AH-1W Super Cobra. This helicopter is
used by the US Marine Corps. It follows the line of the venerable AH-1 Cobra,
which was the world's first dedicated attack helicopter. A total of 189 Vipers will be built.
Most of them will be upgraded from AH-1W airframes. Others will be newly-built
machines. The Viper was introduced in 2010 and full-rate production began in 2012.
The AH-1Z Viper has new engines, a new rotor, uprated transmission upgraded avionics,
and a new target sighting system. Upgraded helicopters have improved flight characteristics.
This helicopter is fitted with an infrared suppression system, which covers exhausts.
The Viper is armed with a 20 mm three-barrel cannon.
It can carry up to 16 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. It can also carry pods
with unguided rockets and two Sidewinder fire-and-forget air-to-air missiles.
3. Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B - Russia
The Ka-52 is a further development and a two-seat version of the famous Ka-50 Hokum. This attack
helicopter entered service with the Russian Army and its small-scale production commenced in 2008.
The Ka-52 is one of the fastest and most maneuverable attack helicopters
due to its two coaxial contra-rotating main rotors. The armor of this gunship
withstands hits from 23 mm projectiles. Pilots are seated in ejection seats.
This gunship is armed with a 30 mm cannon and up to 12 Vikhr anti-tank missiles. It
can also carry unguided rockets and Igla-V air-to-air missiles.
The Ka-52 is fitted with a battlefield management system and can exchange data with other
helicopters, as well as third-party sources. This helicopter is also intended as an aerial command
post for a group of helicopters. It provides target detection and coordinates the attacks.
4. Mil Mi-28 Havoc - Russia
The Mi-28 has been in development since the late 1970s. This helicopter was finally accepted to
service with the Russian Army in 2006. Currently, the Russian Army operates only a relatively small
number of these helicopters. Some sources report that it is also in service with Kenya.
This attack helicopter is fitted with two heavily-armored cockpits.
Probably it is one of the most armored attack helicopters to
date. The Mi-28 is also fitted with an emergency escape system for the crew.
The Mi-28 is typically fitted with eight Ataka anti-armor missiles along with
unguided rocket pods. This gunship is also fitted with a 30 mm cannon.
Compared with the previous Mi-24 Hind it is better optimized for the anti-armor
role. It lacks secondary troop transport capability. However,
the Mi-28 has a small passenger compartment and in case of emergency,
it can carry three passengers. This feature allows rescuing downed helicopter crew.
It was reported that during comparative trials the Mi-28 lost to the Ka-50.
5. Eurocopter Tiger - France/Germany
The Eurocopter Tiger was jointly developed by France and Germany. It is a medium-weight
attack helicopter, which entered service in 2002. It is also in service with Australia
and Spain. The Tiger has seen combat in Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali.
This helicopter incorporates stealth technology as
well as other advanced features to increase its survivability.
The Tiger is available in attack and fire support (escort) configurations.
The attack version is fitted with Trigat or HOT-3 anti-tank missiles, as well as unguided rockets.
It also carries Stinger air-to-air missiles. This version is not fitted with a cannon.
The escort version of the Tiger is fitted with 30 mm cannon and unguided missiles,
as well as Mistral air-to-air missiles. This version is in service with the French Army.
6. Z-10 - China
The Z-10 is the first Chinese dedicated attack helicopter.
It has been designed with extensive technical assistance from Eurocopter
and Agusta. Other sources claim that the development of this attack helicopter has been
assisted by the Russian Kamov helicopter design bureau. This new Chinese helicopter is advanced.
It seems that the first production gunships were delivered to the Chinese Army in 2009-2010.
The primary mission of the Z-10 is anti-armor and
battlefield interdiction. It also has some limited air-to-air combat capabilities.
The fuselage has sloped sides to reduce radar cross-section. All vital areas are believed
to be protected by armor plates. Weapons of the Z-10 may consist of 30 mm cannon, HJ-9 anti-tank
guided missiles (comparable to the TOW-2A), newly developed HJ-10 anti-tank missiles (comparable
to the AGM-114 Hellfire), and TY-90 air-to-air missiles. It can also carry unguided rocket pods.
7. Denel AH-2 Rooivalk - South Africa
Despite its new appearance the Rooivalk was based on reverse-engineered Aerospatiale Puma
and uses the same engines and rotor. This helicopter has been
designed to operate without sophisticated support.
A nose turret of the Rooivalk is fitted with a 20 mm cannon. It contains an automatic target
detection and tracking system. This attack helicopter can carry indigenous ZT-6 Mokopa
anti-tank missiles (similar to US Hellfire). Surprisingly these are some of the most
powerful anti-tank guided missiles in the world. Alternatively, this South African
gunship helicopter can carry up to 16 smaller TOW anti-tank guided missiles. Also, it has provision
for air-to-air missiles and pods with 70 mm unguided rockets. This gunship can be used in
anti-armor, ground attack, armed reconnaissance, fire support, escort, and deep penetration roles.
A pair of external seats can be fitted to the Rooivalk,
allowing it to pick up the crew of a downed helicopter.
Currently, only 11 of these helicopters are operational due to funding problems.
8. Agusta A129 Mangusta - Italy
The A129 Mangusta was the first dedicated attack helicopter to be produced in Western Europe.
First, helicopters were delivered to the Italian Army in 1990. Production of Mangusta was stopped
in 1992 due to funding problems and changing operational requirements with the end of the
Cold War. Later all Italian Mangustas were upgraded to the A129 International standard.
It is a lightweight attack helicopter, hence it carries less armor than its counterparts.
Yet its rotor blades withstand hits from 30 mm rounds. The primary role of the Mangusta
was anti-tank. It was fitted with Hellfire or TOW anti-tank missiles and Stinger or Mistral
anti-aircraft missiles. It could also carry unguided rockets. TOW missiles were its primary
armament. However, the A129 International is a more flexible multi-role machine. It
was fitted with an under-nose 20 mm cannon. It can be used in anti-armor, ground attack,
armed reconnaissance, fire support, and escort roles.
There is a T-129, a Turkish derivative of the Mangusta.
It was jointly developed by Agusta Westland of Italy and Turkish Aerospace Industries
(TAI) of Turkey. It has some key improvements over its predecessor.
It was adopted by the Turkish military in 2013 and is used for attack and reconnaissance roles.
9. Mil Mi-24 Hind - Russia
The Mi-24 is one of the most widely known assault helicopters. It saw widespread combat
action during wars and military conflicts. This aging gunship is still very capable.
This helicopter has heavily-armored, stepped cockpits and an under-nose
gun turret. The first versions were fitted with a 23 mm twin-barrel cannon,
however, later production versions with a 30 mm twin-barrel cannon emerged.
Other weapons include anti-tank missiles and pods with unguided rockets.
The Mi-24 has a secondary troop transport capability.
It can carry a full infantry squad of 8 fully equipped troops, which makes this
gunship a flying infantry fighting vehicle. Because of the troop-carrying capability,
this helicopter is used in a slightly different manner than other attack helicopters.
This helicopter was produced in large numbers for the Soviet Army as well as Soviet allies.
Over 2 300 of these helicopters were built since the 1970s.
Production of this attack helicopter ceased in 1991. Despite its age, the Mi-24 is in service
with at least 50 countries around the world. It is estimated that 1 500 of these gunships
remain in service. Various upgrade and refurbishment programs are available.