In America they recognized: the Ka-52M Alligator is better than the Apache

Mi-8 helicopter

Initially, a unit of this series was designed as a multi-purpose military vehicle. However, the Russian Army's modernized helicopters (Mi-8MTV-2) have long served as a long-range strike force. Representatives of the series gained great popularity in the role of landing transport. Mi-8 is the most common helicopter in Russia. They were the main striking units in hot spots in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Algeria, Angola, Vietnam, Egypt, Iraq, Congo, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, Uganda and many other countries.

The development of Mi-8 helicopters began in the spring of 1960. The prototype of the series was the legendary piston Mi-4. For a long time the device did not find its proper place of application. However, in 1991, unexpectedly, a number of countries ordered a massive purchase of the Mi-8. About 3,000 units were exported. A few years later, the Mi-8 acquired a new modernized version of the MTV-2. Its configuration included 4 B8V20-A blocks with 20 automatic magazines each, 9 machine guns, 4 GSh-23L cannons and a suspension for mounting aerial bombs weighing up to 500 kg. The helicopter is capable of rising to a height of 4.5 km, reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h and withstanding a load of 4000 kg. Thanks to two 1500 hp engines. With. and a spacious interior, the vehicle can accommodate up to 28 paratroopers.

Flight performance

Flight performance characteristics (PTC) of attack helicopters

TVD – turboshaft engine.

Performance characteristics of multi-purpose helicopters

Performance characteristics of transport helicopters

Mi-24 helicopter

This rotorcraft was called the “crocodile”. Russian Air Force helicopters of the Mi-24 series have repeatedly confirmed their ability to conduct round-the-clock combat. This device can not only parachute up to 10 people, it is very effective in air and ground attacks. The Mi-24PS model is an alternative to the original and is capable of performing search and rescue missions. Another representative of the series, the Mi-24РХР, has found wide application in radiochemical reconnaissance. It was these helicopters that made it possible to timely assess the level of danger during the liquidation of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

The aircraft's arsenal includes suspended weapons (2 cannons, 2 machine guns and 2 grenade launchers), Sturm, Hermes and Ataka guided missiles. The package also contains cassettes with bombs up to 500 kg. The upgraded version has an air-to-air cannon weapon. The maximum speed limit is 330 km/h. The lift ceiling is 5 km. The total engine power is 4400 hp. With.

Agusta A129 Mangusta

The championship among combat helicopters entirely developed in Western European countries belongs to the Agusta A129 Mangusta. It was invented by an Italian company. Today this helicopter has another similar modification, which is produced by the Turkish side. In terms of weapons and technology, as well as power, the Agusta A129 Mangusta is inferior to the helicopters listed above. However, this did not stop him from becoming one of the best both in Europe and throughout the world. This vehicle is also equipped with various types of missiles, but its cannons and machine guns are of slightly smaller caliber.

Mi-28 helicopter

"Night Hunter" is a universal assault weapon for domestic aviation. Russian Mi-28 combat helicopters are capable of gliding equally well day and night, both at high altitudes and at low altitudes (up to 5 meters). They have excellent flight characteristics, thanks to which they can detect and destroy the desired targets in the shortest possible time. One of the advantages of the device is its high protection against anti-aircraft weapons. Experts compare Russian Mi-28 helicopters with American AH-64 Apache combat units. It is worth noting that the former not only have a better navigation system, but also a much more accurate guided missile launcher. The Mi-28 arsenal includes a large-caliber 2A42 cannon, 4 NAR with a set of 20 S-8 units, as well as an S-13 NAR. ATGMs of the “Ataka”, “Sturm” and “Strelets” series are used as guided missile launchers. MAX speed – up to 300 km/h. Flight altitude – up to 5.8 km. GTE power – 4400 hp. With.

AH-1Z Viper

Another great American combat helicopter is the AH-1Z Viper. It was created on the basis of the Bell AH-1 Super Cobra: development was carried out specifically for the US Marines. This combat vehicle is equipped with advanced technologies and weapons, two turbocharged engines and is designed to conduct dense machine-gun and rocket fire against enemy targets and personnel. The pride of the AH-1Z Viper is its modernized sighting system, which allows for high accuracy of fire both with machine gun and rocket fire. In addition, some of the missiles of this helicopter are guided. It was commissioned into the United States Armed Forces at the beginning of the 11th year.

Mi-35 helicopter

This rotorcraft is the best modification of the Mi-24. These Russian helicopters are widely used not only in the Russian Federation, but also in a number of other countries, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Brazil, Indonesia, Peru, Venezuela, etc.

The Mi-35 series is designed for the destruction of heavy armored vehicles, landing and fire support of ground forces. Often a helicopter is used to transport cargo or the wounded. One of the main modifications of the series was night tracking devices capable of recognizing targets at a distance of up to 4.2 km. The combat kit includes 2 cannon mounts, 4 suspensions, 10 guided missiles, containers with mines and bombs. The helicopter is capable of rising to a height of up to 4.5 km at a maximum speed of 340 km/h. Passenger capacity – up to 8 people. Includes 2 engines of 2200 hp. With.

Eurocopter Tiger

At the dawn of the current millennium, a European company (France, Germany) began developing a new powerful combat helicopter that could meet modern requirements for technology in this area. The result was more than successful - Eurocopter Tiger. This combat vehicle is in service with the manufacturing countries, as well as in Australia and Spain. The Eurocopter Tiger was originally designed as a combat helicopter with high endurance and maximum stealth. The vehicle is equipped with a system for recognizing missiles launched at a helicopter. The weapon is a 30mm machine gun, as well as 2 mounts for additional already loaded machine guns and 4 hardpoints for missile systems (with guided and conventional missiles).

Ka-25 helicopter

This is one of the main anti-submarine combat units of domestic aviation. Russian military helicopters of the Ka-25 series are capable of detecting targets under water at a distance of up to 250 km. The device achieved such impressive results thanks to the new “Initiative” radar system of the “2K” and “Poplavok” models. In addition, the specialized equipment includes 2 frequency stations and a magnetometer. The development of these systems has been carried out over several decades. The helicopter's armament kit consists of 4 or 8 bomb launchers of the PLAB and OMAB series and 2 AT-1 torpedo launchers. The device is capable of reaching speeds of 220 km/h with a ceiling height of 3.5 km. This is a very heavy and massive helicopter (up to 7200 kg), but it is distinguished by its maneuverability and level of take-off speed. The kit includes 2 engines of 990 hp. With. The cabin can accommodate up to 8 soldiers.

Ka-29 helicopter

This model is a multi-purpose model with the possibility of upgrading to a shock version. Recently, such Russian helicopters have been designed purely for hitting targets on the ground and landing. They became widespread in China, Vietnam and India.

The Ka-29 arsenal includes an aiming system, up to 90 aircraft and anti-tank missiles, 2 or 3 cannon installations. It is possible to attach 4 heavy machine guns. The interior of the rotorcraft can accommodate up to 16 paratroopers or 6 stretchers with wounded. Load capacity – up to 4000 kg. Rated engine power is 4400 hp. With. The maximum speed that the Ka-29 helicopter can reach with an average load is 280 km/h. As for the ceiling height, it is 4.3 km.

CH-47 CHINOOK – the most spectacular

In 1961, American Boeing launched this “flying carriage”

, as the CH-47 was nicknamed behind the scenes.
Huge 18-meter rotors rotating in opposite directions make it possible to do without a tail rotor. The ferry range of the helicopter is such that it is quite capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Brazil to Liberia without refueling. The heavyweight can carry a 105 mm field gun, allowing the US Army to be more mobile in mountainous terrain and sudden weather changes. The Chinook's transport record is 147 people. The “Vagon” itself tried to stay away from the battle, because the clumsy helicopter needed fire cover. However, he coped with his transport mission with a bang: during the Vietnam War, Chinooks evacuated equipment worth $3 billion.

Ka-50 helicopter

This model received the unofficial name “Black Shark”. Russian military helicopters of the Ka-50 series were developed in parallel with the Mi-28. The designers' task was to create a destructive machine that would demonstrate its superiority not only in the air, but also during a ground attack.

The first helicopter models turned out to be too heavy and clumsy, so it was decided to reduce the weight of the armor and the dimensions of the device due to a single-seat layout. Due to the high cost, the production of “Black Sharks” until recently could not be called rapid. By 2007, the Air Force had only 25 vehicles of this series in its arsenal. The Ka-50's armament includes 3 cannons and 7 missile launchers. Among the controlled automatic configurations, it is worth highlighting the ATGM series “Vikhr” and “Igla” (2 pieces each). The bomb arsenal is represented by a whole warehouse of charges (FAB, KMGU, ZB, RBC and others). The maximum dive speed is up to 350 km/h. Maneuverability height – 4 km. GTE power – 2x2200 l. With.

AT 12

Other unofficial names are Mi-12 and “Homer”. It is the most powerful helicopter with a huge payload capacity. Its distinctive feature is that the propellers, powered by four engines, are located on the sides of the fuselage, and not on top, as in classic models. This structure of the device allows it to easily lift a weight of 30 tons, while the helicopter does not lose its maneuverability and is easy to land even in bad weather.

The B-12 was originally designed to transport components of ballistic intercontinental warheads. Later, the military decided that they did not need such a machine. They needed more maneuverable and lighter helicopters, like the Mi-6. The Russian leadership transferred all the created devices to the ownership of the national economy, from where some of them after some time went to the State Air Force Museum in the village of Monino.

The very first Mi-12 helicopter is on the balance sheet of a helicopter plant in the village of Tomilino near Moscow. Now this enterprise is not functioning and has been turned into a museum in honor of the birthday of the B-12 designer Mikhail Mil.

Ka-52 helicopter

The second name of the model is “Alligator”. These new Russian helicopters are the pride of domestic military aviation. They are capable of hitting any targets at a distance of up to 15 km. All thanks to the universal search and targeting system integrated into the Vikhr anti-tank missiles. This makes the Gators the favorites in any air or ground battle. In addition, the Ka-52 is equipped with a radar system called “Crossbow”. It not only increases the combat capability of the vehicle, but also makes it possible to detect missiles flying in the direction of the helicopter at a distance of up to 5 km.

The Ka-52 arsenal includes the 2A42 cannon and the Sturm, Vikhr, and Igla ATGMs. There are 4 S-8 or S-13 missile launchers. The speed threshold is up to 300 km/h at the maximum level of controllability. The height ceiling is up to 5.5 km. Maximum engine power is 2700 hp. With.

Bell AH-1 Super Cobra

The Bell AH-1 Super Cobra is the same helicopter that became the progenitor of the no less popular AH-1Z Viper in the world. In turn, the first was created on the basis of the Cobra with one engine. After development in the early 1980s, the Bell AH-1 Super Cobra (now with two powerful engines) was adopted by the United States Marine Corps, where it remains in service to this day. The weapons of this combat helicopter include guided and conventional missiles and bombs, and a 20-mm cannon. This combat vehicle is capable of firing at both ground and air targets (including guided missiles).