Attack helicopters play an important role in the army. They are beneficial in providing exact and direct air support to the ground troops. They also work as a guard to protect helicopters and can destroy enemy targets. One of their most common uses is the transportation of troops. They are also used during difficult times like that of a flood or medical evacuation. They are also used in rescue missions and combat searches. Attack helicopters are also known as helicopter gunships since they are heavily armed. Some advanced attack helicopters can also carry air missiles. Below given are the top 10 most advanced attack helicopters present in the world.
- AH-64 Apache
Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American attack helicopter. It weighs around 5,000kg and can speed up to 360 km/h. It has a turboshaft engine with a tandem cockpit crew. It also includes a night vision system. It is heavily armed with weapons like chain guns in the main landing gear, hellfire missiles, hydra 70 rocket pods, and a 30 mm automatic cannon. It can track more than 250 contacts with its targeting system and advanced radar. The first flight of its prototype flew on 30 September 1975. It was introduced to the army services in April 1986. The helicopters are produced by Boeing Defense, Space, and Security. More than 2,000 helicopters are produced by 2020.
- Bell AH- 1 Super Cobra
The Bell AH- 1 Super Cobra is an attack helicopter used in the United States Marine Corps. It has a turboshaft engine and belongs to the twin Cobra family as it is twin-engined. Its variants include powerful helicopters like Bell AH 1Z Viper, Panha 2091, and others. It can go up to the speed of 280 km/h. It was developed in the mid of 1960 for the U.S. Army. It was developed by Bell Helicopter Textron and was introduced to the services in the year 1985. It is armed with bombs, rockets, and many other types of ammunition.
- Eurocopter Tiger
The Eurocopter Tiger has a twin-engine and is a four-blade helicopter. It can weigh around 3,000 kg and can go up to the speed of 260 km/h. It was introduced in the services in 2003. It has been used by many armies including the German, French, Australian, and Spanish Army. It is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. In Germany, it was called Tiger and Tigre in France and Spain. It can carry air missiles, 70mm rockets, and a 30mm turret. It can also carry various types of anti-tank missiles and counter attacks for the missiles.
- MI- 28N
The MI- 28N or the Mil Mi- 28 is a Russian attack helicopter. It can weigh about 8,000 kg and can go up to the speed of around 300 km/h. It has a Klimov TV3- 117 engine and is manufactured by Russian Helicopters, Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. According to some reports Russian Air Force may have up to 60 of these attack helicopters. It is also known as a night hunter. It is known as an all-weather, and a day-night helicopter.
- WZ -10
WZ- 10 also known as the CAIC Z- 10 is a Chinese attack helicopter. It can weigh around 5,500 kg and can go up to the speed of 300 km/h. It was designed for the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force. It has a turboshaft engine and is manufactured by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation. Its design is inspired by the Eurocopter and Augusta. It can carry a 30mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, and other weapons. Its design is like that of a gunship.
- Bell AH-1Z Viper
The Bell AH- 1Z Viper is a two-engine American helicopter similar to that of AH- 1W SuperCobra. It can weigh around 5,500 kg and can travel at the speed of 400 km/h. It was designed for the United States Marine Corps. It is also known as Zulu Cobra. It includes night vision and can be used at any time of the day. It is also known as an all-weather attack helicopter. It can carry around 2 tons of weapons which mainly include hellfire missiles.
- KA- 52 Alligator
The KA- 52 Alligator also known as Kamov Ka- 52 is a Russian helicopter. It can weigh around 7,700 kg and can travel at a speed of 260 km/h. It is manufactured by the Kamov Design Bureau and has a Klimov VK- 2500 engine. It is used by the Russian Air Force. It was introduced in the Russian service in 2008. It can carry anti-tank missiles, air missiles, unguided missiles, bombs, and other weapons also. It is the first operational helicopter that has a rescue ejection system.
- AH- 2 Rooivalk
The AH- 2 Rooivalk is also known as Denel Rooivalk. It can travel at the speed of 300 km/h and can cost around 40,000,000 USD. It is designed by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Its first flight flew on 11 February 1990. There are total 12 Denel Rooivalk. It includes a 20mm cannon and can carry around 16 Macapa helicopters. It can cost around $40 million. It also includes tracking and a fire control system. It can also perform loop and fly upside down for a short while.
- T 129
The T 129 or the TAI/ AugustaWestland is an attack helicopter manufactured by the Turkish Aerospace Industries. The industry is also a partner of AugustaWestland. It is similar to that of an Italian T129 Mangusta modified by Turkish industries. It includes a Turkish hi-tech aviation system and many other technologies. It can travel at a speed of 270 km/h. It took its first flight on 28 September 2009. It can cost around $52 million.
- Augusta A129 Mangusta
The Augusta A129 Mangusta is an attack helicopter that can travel at the speed of 350 km/h. The Italian helicopter is to be now manufactured in Europe. It flew for the first time on 11 September 1983. It can cost around 22,000,000 USD. It entered the Italian Army service in 1990. It is made mainly for the Turkish Army however can be purchased by other customers also.
