How important attack helicopters are?

How important attack helicopters are?

Helicopters are so integrated into modern combat that taking them away can severly affect SOP in many areas such as:

1. Mountain combat

2. Conflict line troop rotation

3. Casualty evacuation

4. Special forces infiltration

5. High command battle assessment

6. Critical front line supply

7. Search & rescue

8. Armor attack 2nd line defense

9. Integrated combat fire base

While some of these tasks are taken over today by drones (others were completeky tranferred like reconaissance), a lot of these tasks are not drone candidates in the near future and the role if helicopters remains critical.

Which is the greatest modern gunship and why? Our Top 9 analysis is based on the combined score of performance, firepower, protection and avionics. 

All of the attack helicopters mentioned here are incredibly powerful and devastating. Crew training of the helicopter is also important, as performance of the actual machine depends from the crew performance.

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

N9. The Mi-24 (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 pods with unguided rockets.

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

N8. The A129 Mangusta (Italy)

The A129 Mangusta it is a lightweight attack helicopter; hence, it carries less armor than its counterparts. Yet its rotor blades withstand hits from 30 mm rounds. Primary role of the Mangusta was anti-tank.

It was fitted with Hellfire or TOW anti-tank missiles, and Stinger or Mistral anti-aircraft missiles. It could also carry unguided rockets. TOW missiles were its primary armament.

However, the A129 International is a more flexible multi-role machine. It was fitted with an undernose 20 mm cannon. It can be used in anti-armor, ground attack, armed reconnaissance, and fire support and escort roles.

N7. The Denel AH-2 Rooivalk (South Africa)

This gunship can be used in anti-armor, ground attack, armed reconnaissance, fire support, escort and deep penetration roles.

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 indigenous ZT-6 Mokopa anti-tank missiles (similar to US Hellfire). Surprisingly these are one of the most powerful anti-tank guided missiles in the world.

Alternatively, this South African gunship helicopter can carry up to 16 smaller TOW anti-tank guided missiles.

Also, it has provision for air-to-air missiles and pods with 70 mm unguided rockets. A pair of external seats can be fitted to the Rooivalk, allowing it to pick up the crew of a downed helicopter.

N6. The 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. 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 be protected 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 unguided rocket pods.

N5. The Eurocopter Tiger (Germany and France)

The Eurocopter Tiger was jointly developed by France and Germany. It is a medium-weight attack helicopter; this helicopter incorporates stealth technology as well as other advanced features to increase its survivability.

The Tiger is available in attack and fire support (escort) configurations. The attack version is fitted with Trigat or HOT-3 anti-tank missiles, as well as unguided rockets. It also carries Stinger air-to-air missiles. This version is not fitted with cannon.

The escort version of the Tiger is fitted with 30 mm cannon and unguided missiles, as well as Mistral air-to-air missiles.

N4. The Mi-28 (Russia)

The Mi-28 it is one of the most armored attack helicopters to date. Is fitted with two heavily-armored cockpits, also fitted with emergency escape system for the crew.

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

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.

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

N3. The Ka-52 (Russia)

The Ka-52 is one of the fastest and most maneuverable attack helicopters due to its two coaxial contra-rotating main rotors. Armor of this gunship withstands hits from 23 mm projectiles. Pilots are seated in ejection seats.

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

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

N2. The AH-1Z Viper (USA)

The AH-1Z Viper gunship, which evolved from the AH-1W Super Cobra. This helicopter is used by the US Marine Corps.

The AH-1Z Viper has new engines, new rotor, uprated transmission upgraded avionics and new target sighting system. Upgraded helicopters have improved flight characteristics. This helicopter is fitted with infrared suppression system, which covers exhausts.

The Viper is armed with a 20 mm three-barrel cannon. It can carry up to 16 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. It can also carry pods with unguided rockets and two Sidewinder fire-and-forget air-to-air missiles.

N1. The AH-64E (USA)

The AH-64E (AH-64D Block III) is an upgraded version of the original AH-64A, which was developed for the US Army, to replace the AH-1 Cobra. The Apache helicopter saw combat during a number of recent wars.

The Apache Guardian is fitted with a mast-mounted antenna with updated Longbow fire control radar. This attack helicopter can fire Hellfire 2 anti-tank guided missiles in fire-and-forget mode. Other improvements include targeting, battle management system, cockpit, communications, weapons and navigation systems. The gunship is also fitted with a 30 mm cannon.