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7/29/2019 Top 9 Attack Helicopters | www.Military-Today.com

1/9Top 9 Attack Helicoptersby www.Military-Today.com

Top 9 Attack Helicopters

Often we receive many questions which is the best attack helicopter in the world. Which is thegreatest modern gunship and why. Our Top 9 analysis is based on the combined score ofperformance, firepower, protection and avionics. We use specifications for comparison andavailable data. This list do not includes gunships, that are currently in development or at the

prototype stage. It includes only best helicopters that are currently in service and in production. Allof the attack helicopters mentioned here are incredibly powerful and devastating. Crew training ofthe helicopter is also important, as performance of the actual machine depends from the crewperformance.

Currently top 9 best attack helicopters in the world are these:

Nr.1 Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache (USA)The AH-64D is an upgraded version of the original AH-64A, which was developed for the US

Army, to replace the AH-1 Cobra. The Longbow Apache saw combat during recent wars in Iraq

and Afghanistan.

The Longbow Apache is fitted with a mast mounted antenna with new fire control radar. Thisattack helicopter can fire Hellfire 2 air-to-ground missiles in fire-and-forget mode. Otherimprovements include targeting, battle management system, cockpit, communications, weaponsand navigation systems. The gunship is also fitted with a 30-mm cannon.

Entering service in 1995, early aircraft lack the radar system fitted to the definitive AH-64DLongbow Apache that followed from 1997. Early in 1999 the US Army finally decided that 530 AH-64As would be upgraded to D standard, for which 500 Longbow systems would be procured, andthat the other 218 surviving AH-64As would be passed to the Air National Guard

The AH-64D is also in service with Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom


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Nr.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 it's small scale productioncommenced in 2008.

The Ka-52 is one of the fastest and most maneuverable attack helicopters due to it's two coaxialcontra-rotating main rotors. Armor of this gunship withstands hits from 23-mm projectiles. Pilotsare seated in ejection seats.

This gunship is armed with a 30-mm cannon and up to 12 Vikhr anti-tank missiles. It can alsocarry unguided rockets and Igla air-to-air missiles.

The Ka-52 is fitted with a battlefield management system and can exchange data with otherhelicopters, as well as third-party sources. This helicopter is also intended as an aerial commandpost for a group of helicopters. It provides target detection and coordinates the attacks.



Nr.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 Russian Army operates over 20 of thesehelicopters. 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 mostarmored attack helicopters to date. The Mi-28 is also fit ted with emergency escape system for thecrew.

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.

Comparing with the previous Mi-24 Hind it is better optimized for anti-armor role. It lackssecondary troop transport capability. However the Mi-28 has a small passenger compartment andin case of emergency it can carry three passengers. This feature allows to rescue downedhelicopter crew.

It was reported that during comparative trials the Mi-28 lost to the Ka-50.



Nr.5 Eurocopter Tiger (France/Germany)

The Eurocopter Tiger was jointly developed by France and Germany. It is a medium-weightattack helicopter, which entered service in 2002. It is also in service with Australia and Spain. TheTiger has seen combat in Afghanistan, Libya and Mali.

This helicopter incorporates stealth technology as well as other advanced features to increaseit's survivability.

The Tiger is available in attack and fire support (escort) configurations. The attack version isfitted with Trigat or HOT 3 anti-tank missiles, as well as unguided rockets. It also carries Stingerair-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 asMistral air-to-air missiles. This version is in service with the French Army.



Nr.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 Augusta. Other sources claim that development of thisattack helicopter has been assisted by the Russian Kamov helicopter design bureau. This newChinese helicopter is advanced. It seems that first production gunships were delivered to theChinese Army in 2009-2010.

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 beprotected 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 unguidedrocket pods.



Nr.7 Denel AH-2 Rooivalk (South Africa)Despite it's new appearance the Rooivalk was based on reverse-engineered Aerospetiale Puma

and uses the same engines and rotor. This helicopter has been designed to operate withoutsophisticated 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 up to 16 TOW or indigenous ZT-6Mokopa anti-tank missiles. It also has provision for air-to-air missiles and launchers with unguidedrockets. This gunship can be used in anti-armor, ground attack, armed reconnaissance, firesupport, 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 downedhelicopter.

Currently only 11 of these helicopters are operational due to funding problems.



Nr.8 Augusta 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 stoppedin 1992 due to funding problems and changing operational requirements with the end of the ColdWar. Later all Italian Mangustas were upgraded to the A129 International standard.

It is a lightweight attack helicopter, hence it carries less armor than it's counterparts. Yet it's rotorblades withstand hits from 30-mm rounds. Primary role of the Mangusta was anti-tank. It was fittedwith Hellfire or TOW anti-tank missiles and Stinger or Mistral anti-aircraft missiles. It could alsocarry unguided rockets. TOW missiles were it's primary armament. However the A129 Internationalis a more flexible multi-role machine. It was fitted with an undernose 20-mm cannon. It can beused in anti-armor, ground attack, armed reconnaissance, fire support and escort roles.

Currently Turkey is developing an indigenous attack helicopter, which is a derivative of theMangusta. It will have some key improvements over it's predecessor.


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Top 9 Attack Helicoptersby www Military-Today com

Nr.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 ageing gunship is still very capable.This helicopter has heavily-armored, stepped cockpits ant an undernose gun turret. First

versions were fitted with a 23-mm twin-barrel cannon, however later production version with a 30-mm twin-barrel cannon emerged. Other weapons include anti-tank missiles and unoperatedrockets.

The Mi-24 has a secondary troop transport capability. It can carry a full infantry squad of 8 fullyequipped troops, which makes this gunship a flying IFV. Because of the troop carrying capabilitythis helicopter is used in a slightly different manner than other attack helicopters.

This helicopter was produced in large number for the Soviet Army as well as Soviet allies. Over 2300 helicopters were produced since the 1970s. Despite it's age it is in service with at least 50countries around the world. It is estimated that 1 500 Hinds remain in service. Production of thishelicopter ceased in 1991, however various upgrade and refurbishment programs are stillavailable.

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