Top 10 Most Popular Combat Helicopters in the World

UTC’s Sikorsky division builds the world’s most popular combat helo. Source: Wikimedia Commons

United Technologies UH-60 Black HawkThe most popular

combat chopper on the globe, Sikorsky's Black Hawk boasts an 18% global market share.

That's more than Lockheed's F-16 -- the

most popular fighter jet.

There are more Black Hawks flying today

(3,342) than there are F-16s and F-18s ...

combined.Source: Wikimedia Commons

Mil Mi-8 HipFirst introduced in 1961,

Russia's most popular whirlybird had a 13 year head start on the Black

Hawk, but still only takes second place.

2,328 units in service around the globe. 12%

market share.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Textron Bell UH-1 HueyA certified Vietnam Vet, Bell's Huey is

57 years young, and still going strong.

Out of 16,000 units produced, 1,509 remain in service -- giving

Huey an 8% market share.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Mil Mi-24 HindThe villain of the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the Mi-24 was a key reason

why the CIA began funneling Stinger

missiles to Mujahedeen fighters in the 80’s.

Those missiles took a tremendous toll, but

987 Hinds are still flying today -- 5% of the

global fleet.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Boeing AH-64 ApacheFlying close behind

the Hind in popularity comes Boeing's Apache -- no mean feat given

that the Apache costs 50% more.

With 956 Apaches in service around the globe, this helo has a 5% market share.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Boeing CH-47 ChinookThe undisputed king of vertical lift, when

troops and cargo absolutely,

positively, must get there faster than

overnight -- customers opt for Boeing's Chinook.

904 units in service. 5% market share.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Textron Bell OH-58 KiowaThe U.S. Army plans

to retire its Kiowa fleet -- but if it does, the helo should find

plenty of willing second-hand buyers.

With 773 units in service, Kiowa

commands 4% of the market.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Textron Bell 412How popular is Bell's 412 internationally? Popular enough that in the Philippines, it's

the equivalent of America's "Marine

One," ferrying presidents from Point

A to Point B.

Globally, 661 units remain in service, for

4% market share.Source: Wikimedia Commons

MD Helicopters MD 500First developed as a

light observation bird for the U.S.

Army, the MD 500 found a ready

market abroad as well.

With 633 units in service, it owns 3%

of the global market.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Textron Bell AH-1 CobraUntil the Apache

displaced it, Bell's AH-1 Cobra formed the backbone of the U.S. Army's attack helicopter fleet.

Today, it's the primary attack helo

for the USMC. Globally, its 541

units add up to a 3% market share.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

And so you see, in combat helicopters as in fighter jets, America -- and American defense contractors --

continue to dominate the market.

Holding eight of the top 10 spots on the list of the world's most popular combat helicopters, U.S. defense contractors Textron, Boeing, and United Technologies have

built more than half the military helos in use around the globe today.

They build helicopters for every purpose, from reconnaissance to cargo transport to ground attack, and at every price range -- from a mere $5 million for the Kiowa, to as

much as $35 million for a fully tricked-out Chinook.

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