Top 10 best attack helicopters

The Global Conflict YouTube channel has published a ranking of the best modern attack helicopters. The top ten includes the most powerful “iron birds” in service with the air forces of different countries.

The list includes both well-known Western developments and rather unexpected Eastern and African combat helicopters. There are also three Russian “iron birds” in the ranking.

MIR 24 has collected information about the main bladed “death machines”, which to this day can be seen in reports from “hot spots” and at exhibitions of the best examples of military equipment.

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Bell 206B Jet Ranger

Bell 206 helicopter in flight
is a representative of the family of two-blade single- and twin-engine helicopters with the Jet Ranger model designed for one pilot and a maximum of four passengers. This helicopter was originally developed for the US military as the Bell YOH-4, but was ultimately not used for its intended purpose. Then the glider was reconstructed and began to be successfully sold commercially as the Jet Ranger

This model has a single Rolls Royce 250-C20J engine, comes with luxurious leather interiors and can travel up to 374 nautical miles at an average speed of about 134 mph. Jet Ranger also managed to gain mass popularity and fame, appearing in two James Bond films, as well as Terminator 2.

Best Interior: Alberto Pinto Interior Design

Rich wood trim, soft leather chairs, bespoke lamps, artwork on the walls and a full bedroom with a king-size bed and a private bathroom with a huge mirror, marble sink and shower - Yves Piccardt of Parisian studio Alberto Pinto Interior Design transformed the ACJ320neo into a real castle in the air.

There is also a full kitchen, so your chef will have no trouble preparing almost any dish. For tasting culinary masterpieces, there is a spacious dining room, which also serves as a conference room. You can really live here! Guests of the main passenger will also be able to travel comfortably - all seats fold out into beds, as in first class cabins. A total of 19 passengers are accommodated on board. By comparison, the commercial version of the Airbus A320neo seats up to 180 passengers.

But G-KELT (this is the registration number the plane received) is not only luxury, but also high technology. An air filtration system and built-in humidifier create an ideal micro-climate, and panels made of marble and wood veneer are no thicker than wafers - all to save weight. This gives the aircraft a range of 11,100 km, allowing it to travel from Moscow to Los Angeles or from London to Beijing. The aircraft will be used by Acropolis Airlines to transport top officials of states and CEOs of major companies. But if you wish, you can order Alberto Pinto Interior Design a similar interior for your personal liner.

Bell 525 should become a worthy competitor for European helicopters

Which helicopter is better?

Rotorcraft have become widespread nowadays. Combat helicopters, which first took part in military operations during the Korean War, significantly influenced combat tactics. Thus, all armies of developed countries began to use helicopters. This universal equipment is also capable of transporting cargo for various purposes, taking part in search and rescue and reconnaissance operations, and providing fire support for infantry.

The best helicopter, in our understanding, is a perfect aircraft, capable of successfully performing its assigned tasks in various conditions to the limit of its capabilities. The ranking of the best helicopters in the world includes only military aircraft that have undergone rigorous testing in hot spots.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the ten best helicopters

10th place – Mi-26

Soviet heavy transport helicopter.
First flown in 1977.
310 units produced.
Loading capacity – 80 paratroopers or 20 tons of cargo.

This helicopter is the largest in size in the world. Achieving unique capabilities required the use of original technical solutions. The vehicle was equipped with an eight-bladed main rotor, a multi-threaded power transmission, and three video cameras for monitoring the cargo placed on the external sling. The helicopter was used during the liquidation of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It was used for the installation of a shelter, specially reinforced with a thick layer of lead radio protection. After the operation, all Mi-26s were buried in the Chernobyl 30-kilometer zone.

9th place – Westland Lynx

English multi-purpose helicopter.
First flown in 1971.
400 units produced.
Capable of carrying 10 paratroopers and suspended weapons in the form of 4 anti-ship missiles (naval version) or 70-mm Hydra rockets, 20-mm cannons and up to 8 anti-tank missiles (land version).

The appearance of the Lynx resembles a representative of civil aviation, but despite this, it is one of the most common deck-based helicopters. Westland Lynx was used in the Falklands War and was very successful. Lynxes were also used in the combat zone on the Balkan Peninsula, to blockade the coast of Yugoslavia and in 1991 in Iraq, where they were used to sink a landing ship, 4 border patrol boats, a T-43 minesweeper and a missile boat. But it’s not just its military merits that make the machine unique; in 1986, the Westland Lynx set the speed record for all mass-produced helicopters, accelerating to 400 km/h.

8th place – Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Military transport heavy helicopter with a longitudinal design.
First flown into the sky in 1961.
1179 units were produced.
Load capacity – 12 tons or up to 55 people.

An important property of the army of any country is its mobility. If we look at the transportation of military personnel, helicopters play a significant role in this process. There was a particular need for such a movement during the Vietnam War - mountainous terrain and large temperature changes prevented the transfer of soldiers in any other way. The Chinook helicopter, which was created according to an original longitudinal design using two main rotors, came to the rescue of the soldiers. During rescue operations in Vietnam, a record was set - 147 refugees were taken on board the helicopter. This device received the slang nickname “flying carriage”. It was not thrown onto the battlefield; the CH-47's specialty was transporting cargo from ships to land bases. An interesting fact is that during the Vietnam War, Chincoki evacuated damaged equipment totaling $3 billion.

Until now, the helicopter remains in service with many countries and is actively used.

7th place – Bell AH-1 Cobra

Attack helicopter.
First flown into the sky in 1965.
1116 copies produced.
Equipped with the following weapons: remote-controlled installation with 2 Minigun machine guns, 70-mm NURS, air-to-air missiles, TOW anti-tank missiles.

“Cobras” are deservedly called tank hunters, which they have confirmed with successful missions to destroy enemy ground equipment in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots.

For the first time in the world, this device was initially designed as an attack helicopter. The side projections of the control cabin were protected with composite armor. The Cobra helicopter was equipped with a powerful sighting system that performed well in harsh weather conditions. The compact size of the helicopter facilitates its deployment on aircraft carriers and universal landing ships.

6th place – Mi-24

Transport and military aircraft.
First flown in 1969.
More than 2000 units were produced.
It is equipped with built-in weapons in the form of a four-barreled 12.7 mm machine gun and suspended weapons: NURS, free-falling bombs, suspended cannon containers, and an anti-missile system.
The capacity of the troop compartment is up to 8 people.

The Americans, who managed to intercept the Mi-24, affirmatively insist that it is not a helicopter. Despite the visual similarity, if you look at the device from a technical point of view, it can be defined as a hybrid of a helicopter and an airplane. The arguments for this fact are that the Mi-24 is not capable of hovering in one place and taking off without acceleration. Large pylons act as airplane wings, creating additional takeoff force. American technicians conducted an experiment and found that up to 40% of the lifting force is created with the help of pylons placed to the sides. Also, the hybrid must be piloted using “aircraft” technology. During a decline in lift, you need to lower the nose slightly, like on an airplane.

The creation of the Mi-24 implemented the idea of a “flying infantry fighting vehicle”, so it contains a powerful weapon system that is not typical for other standard helicopters. “Aircraft qualities” allowed the heavyweight Mi-24 to enter the line of the fastest military helicopters in the world (maximum speed - 320 km/h).

The helicopter took part in military conflicts in the Caucasus Mountains and the Pamirs, and became a symbol of the Afghan War.

5th place Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion

Heavy transport helicopter.
First flown in 1974.
115 units produced.
Load capacity - 13 tons in the cargo compartment, up to 14.5 tons on an external sling, or up to 55 paratroopers.

This helicopter is a deep modernization of the famous CH-53 Sea Steele, built to meet the needs of the US Navy. To the original design, the developers added a third engine and a seven-blade main rotor. The CH-53E helicopter was nicknamed the “hurricane maker.”

It also had a dead loop. In addition to transport missions, the flying boat was used as a minesweeper (MH-53 modification) and was used during search and rescue operations (HH-53 modification). The helicopter is equipped with an in-flight refueling system and can remain in flight for a whole day. In addition to operations on water, it was actively used in ground missions. CH-53 and CH-53E provided fire support for dismounted troops in Afghanistan and Iran.

4th place – Bell UH-1

Multi-role combat helicopter.
First flown in 1956.
Over 16,000 units were produced.
Capable of placing on board up to 14 paratroopers or 1.5 tons of cargo.

This rotorcraft became a symbol of the Vietnam War. Based on the words of the veterans, it was the Bell UH-1 that became their home. He transported soldiers from one combat position to another, supplied the military with provisions and food, provided fire support and transported the wounded. Although the combat losses of this helicopter are rather large (about 3000 units), the combat use can be called successful. During the 11 years of the war, according to statistics, 36 million sorties were flown. Thus, the losses amounted to 1 helicopter per 18,000 sorties - an impressive result, especially considering the fact that this device has no armor at all. Before the release of the Cobras, it was he who was entrusted with the task of carrying out strike operations. To do this, the vehicle was equipped with a pair of 12.7 mm machine guns and 48 unguided missiles on the suspension. The Bell UH-1 joined the ranks of the armies of 70 countries. He is often shown in various Hollywood action films.

3rd place - Mi-8

Multi-purpose helicopter.
First flown in 1961.
Over 17,000 units were produced.
Load capacity: 24 people or 3 tons of cargo.
In combat modifications, it was equipped with 2-3 machine guns and up to 1.5 tons of weapons on an external sling, which included free-falling bombs, unguided 57 mm caliber rockets and an anti-tank complex.

Although the helicopter was created more than half a century ago, it is still in demand, attracting buyers from all regions of the world. In total, there are three dozen military and civilian modifications. It is used as a reconnaissance helicopter, a minelayer, a tanker, an air command post and an ambulance helicopter. Civilian versions are registered with airlines and are used in agricultural work and emergency response services. The Mi-8 helicopter has a high degree of versatility and can withstand the conditions of both frosty Siberia and the sultry Sahara. It was used in all hot spots: Afghanistan, Chechnya, the Middle East. There is nothing to replace the legendary helicopter yet.

2nd place - Boeing AH-64 Apache

Attack helicopter.
First flown in 1975.
1174 units produced.
Built-in weapons include a 30 mm automatic cannon. Suspended weapons consist of 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, 76 NURS or Stinger missile systems for air combat.

"Apache" served as a prototype for the creation of a number of modern attack helicopters. He successfully proved himself in the famous Operation Desert Storm, successfully fighting tanks. It is in service and actively used by the Israeli Air Force. The Apache in the Israeli army will most likely be replaced by the Russian Mi-28N, which has better tactical and technical characteristics and won a tender for delivery to Israel in 2011. In 2002, a South Korean Boeing AH-64 Apache was shot down by a North Korean Mi-28N. 35. South Korea is suing the manufacturer over this issue for upgrading the entire fleet of these helicopters to the Longbow version.

1st place - Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

Multi-purpose helicopter.
First flown in 1974.
3000 units produced.
Load capacity – 1.5 tons of cargo on board and up to 4 tons on an external sling. The landing version can accommodate up to 14 soldiers.
Armed with two machine guns and four weapon mounting points. The weapons complex includes NURSs, containers with 30-mm cannons, and anti-tank Hellfires. Naval versions are equipped with AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship missiles and 324 mm torpedoes.

The Black Hawk can easily be called a helicopter of the 21st century. It was intended to replace the Iroquois, while a naval version was being developed in parallel. The result is a unique helicopter that is suitable for any type of military and has the best characteristics in the world. In addition to the land version of the UH-60, there are 2 anti-submarine modifications SH-60F and SH-60B (with a sonar station and magnetometer), a modification of the HH-60, released for special combat rescue operations, many sanitary versions, jammers, etc. Sometimes it is ordered for the transfer of high-ranking officials and generals. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is actively exported to all regions of the world.

The Black Hawk is made of durable materials and equipped with the latest equipment, which allows for long-term storage outside the hangar.

Hughes XH-17 "Flying Crane"

Development of the KhN-17 began in 1946. The US Department of Defense set aircraft designers the task of making a helicopter that could easily transport military vehicles, including tanks, equipment and soldiers. The creation of the aircraft was divided into two parts - design and production of a prototype. The first stage took several years.

After a series of tests at a closed test site, the XH-17 Flying Crane was presented to the authorities. The American government liked the modern model of a cargo helicopter, and photographs of it quickly spread across foreign media. Everyone was amazed not only by the dimensions of the aircraft, but also by the fact that it could easily transport small tanks.

The disadvantage of the XH-17 "Flying Crane" was its low flight speed. With an empty cargo compartment, the helicopter traveled 127 km/h, and with a full load – only 64 km/h. The designers at Hughes were unable to bring their creation to fruition. The project was closed, the contract for the production of helicopters was terminated, and the company began to produce other, “lighter” aircraft, which were especially popular at that time.

Unfortunately, a working Flying Crane model has not survived to this day. The only example that allows one to appreciate the full power of this machine is kept in the Aviation Museum of America. It is an empty frame that has retained part of the electrical wiring and some instruments. The sign next to it says that this is the XH-17 “Flying Crane,” which during testing had a lifting capacity of 12 tons.

Augusta Westland 109 Power Grand

White and blue AW109 Power Grand helicopter on grass
The AW109 Grand is a versatile, multi-role, extended-cabin, rotor-powered aircraft capable of carrying two pilots and up to seven passengers over a range of 589 miles. It is powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW207C turboshaft engines, allowing the helicopter to boast speeds of up to 285 mph.

The bright and quiet interior offers passengers special comfort and luxury, as well as expanded luggage compartments so you can carry an extra set of golf clubs, for example. If the elegant interiors of this model are not enough, you can always upgrade to the Versace model, the result of a design collaboration between two Italian companies to create a super-luxury helicopter.

And those who say that mechanical engineering and fashion design cannot exist together have never seen this flying palace in the sky!

MI-28N

In the list of the Top 10 best combat helicopters in the world, the MI-28N, which is a modernized version of the MI-28, worthily flaunts. Its development took 33 long years (since 1980), after which this helicopter entered service with the army. According to the classification of NATO helicopters, the MI-28N received a second name, which translates as “devastator.” This aircraft boasts advanced weapons, excellent survivability, high speed performance and the ability to perform aerobatic maneuvers. The helicopter is also capable of firing at any time of the day, in any weather, and also at incredibly low altitudes.

Ka-52 "Alligator"

The Ka-52 Alligator is considered the leader among all combat helicopters in the world. Even the legendary American AH-64D Apache Long Bow cannot boast such maneuverability and combat power. The first is achieved thanks to two propellers located on the same axis, the second is due to advanced combat equipment and the ability to fight at any time of the day and in any weather. The Ka-52 is capable of flying even in hurricane-force winds, and firing in thick fog or smoke. The Alligator's arsenal contains many first-class advanced technologies, some of which have no analogues. The combination of all of the above allowed the Ka-52 Alligator helicopter to take a leading position in the world among other combat helicopters.

Denel AH-2 Rooivalk

A real achievement for the South African armed forces was the high performance of their Denel AH-2 Rooivalk helicopter, which was recognized as one of the best in the world. But it is in service only in South Africa, and only 12 helicopters that were modified from those previously used in this country. They have not been put into mass production and were created in such quantities only to satisfy the relevant combat needs of the state. The Denel AH-2 Rooivalk, however, is capable of reaching a speed of 309 km/h, which is the second highest among all combat helicopters in the world (the first is the Mi-24). The armament is also not particularly inferior to its competitors - attachment points for missile systems (with the possibility of equipping with guided missiles) and a 20-mm machine gun with a reserve of 700 rounds.

CAIC WZ-10

In 2011, the Chinese army adopted the CAIC WZ-10 combat helicopter, which was developed with the help of designers who developed the Ka series helicopters (Alligator and Black Shark). It became the first helicopter of the Chinese army with a tandem cockpit. The CAIC WZ-10 is equipped with guided and conventional missiles for firing against ground and air targets, as well as a 23 mm machine gun. Its skin is made using Stealth technology for maximum stealth of the combat vehicle.

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Mi-24

One of the best combat helicopters of all time is the Mi-24. It entered service with the Soviet army in 1971 and is still used in many countries (especially Russia). Its weapons and equipment depend on modifications, each of which is designed for specific conditions. At the time the Mi-24 appeared, the United States designed a similar AH-24 Apache helicopter, but the Soviet one had an advantage - it could also carry 8 passengers on board. The Mi-24 can fire at ground and air targets at any time of the day and even in difficult weather conditions, and also has a record speed among combat helicopters - 335 km/h.

Who invented it?

Looking ahead, we can say that the whole world should thank Russian engineers for this. They created leading technologies that are still used today. But it's worth starting from the beginning.

If you delve into the history of the creation of many modern devices, it may seem that each of them was invented by Da Vinci. This is almost true, and the drawings of something similar to a helicopter also came from his hand. The oldest discovered references are more than one and a half thousand years old; these are diagrams of a flying structure that could fly vertically upward due to the force of a rotating propeller. It was a screw on a stick that had to be held in your hands and unscrewed.

The invention was used for fun; no one thought that it could actually be useful.

Da Vinci found practical application. Its drawings were made in 1475, and it was a full-fledged aircraft. True, it was classified as mechanical and was supposed to rise into the air due to the muscular work of a person. And it also had to fly vertically upward. The creator of the project did not implement it, which is why experts still continue to argue whether this device would have flown or not.

Mikhail Lomonosov went beyond sketches; he tried to make an apparatus that he planned to fly into the sky. It was supposed to be used for meteorology and to launch measuring instruments into the sky. This device had a pair of propellers and was not intended to have a pilot. The design was created, but could not fly.

Another similar helicopter, which never flew, was created in 1860. The creator was Ponton d'Amercourt. A pair of screws began to rotate under the influence of energy from a steam engine. The tests were unsuccessful, vertical flight did not take place.

Later, a breakthrough was made in science - the creation of an internal combustion engine. This made it possible to significantly increase efficiency and significantly reduce the weight of the structure. In 1907, brothers Jacques and Louis Breguet did what had never been possible before. The height of the vertical flight was 50 cm, the duration was less than a minute. This helicopter had two engines and four propellers and weighed about half a ton.

Paul Cornu carried out the work in parallel with the Breguet brothers. He also managed to raise his aircraft by 50 cm. It lasted no more than 20 seconds in flight, but there is a significant difference: it was not a drone, the creator himself piloted it.

The next notable attempt came from an Argentine developer named Raul Pateras. He was able to overcome as much as 736 meters on his device, accelerating to hundreds of kilometers per hour. And thanks to this, people finally realized how undervalued this technology is. Thus began a new race, which resulted in the appearance of the first modern helicopter.

Eurocopter 120 Colibri

Parked black Eurocopter 120 Colibri
Known as the "French hummingbird", the EC120 Colibri is a five-seat single-engine helicopter. It received this name as a result of its almost silent operation, as well as because of its elegant size and special maneuverability. This bird of the sky is powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine and achieves a cruising speed of up to 137 mph with a range of up to 441 miles.

The EC120 can also be painted green if you wish, and the aircraft's special design aims to reduce pollutant emissions and increase fuel efficiency in line with the Green Rotorcraft European Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative, which was launched in 2011.

The EC120 also features a wide, ergonomic cabin with expansive outward visibility so your eyes can go almost anywhere. The helicopter can accommodate up to four passengers and one pilot. The cabin can also be easily modified to suit your different requirements.

A-129/T-129

The Agusta A129 Mongoose is an attack helicopter originally designed and manufactured by the Italian company Agusta. It is the first attack helicopter entirely designed and manufactured in Western Europe.

The T-129 ATAK is a derivative of the A129 and is being developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) together with its main partner AgustaWestland.