The 4 Most Lethal Attack Helicopters

[Zarvan]

Since rotary wing aircraft were introduced during the Korean War, they’ve proved their utility in a bunch of mission areas like troop transport, reconnaissance, vertical replenishment, and MEDEVAC. But, perhaps, no other capability has changed the dynamic on the battlefield as much as the use of helicopters as attack platforms.

Since rotary wing aircraft were introduced during the Korean War, they’ve proved their utility in a bunch of mission areas like troop transport, reconnaissance, vertical replenishment, and MEDEVAC. But, perhaps, no other capability has changed the dynamic on the battlefield as much as the use of helicopters as attack platforms.

Here are four models that enemies have learned to fear over the years:

1. Huey Gunship

This is the one that started it all. As the Vietnam War expanded the Huey became the workhorse because of its utility in jungle environments and maintainability. The engineers added sponsons with hard points, and the Huey became a lethal gunship capable of firing rockets, grenades, and 20mm bullets.

2. Huey Cobra

As defenses got more sophisticated during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps decided they needed a more sophisticated attack helicopter. Enter the Cobra with wing mounts that can be loaded with rockets and missiles and a chin mount that can fire at a rate of 4,000 rounds per minute. The two-man crew sits in tandem, with the pilot sitting — surprisingly enough — in the rear cockpit. The Cobra most recently proved it’s mettle during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 where it was used in urban environments very effectively.

3. Mi 24 Hind

Arguably the meanest-looking helicopter ever, the Soviets used the Hind extensively against the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan, and it was during that war that it earned it’s reputation. It was designed to be fast (it held the helicopter speed record (228.9 mph) from 1978-1986), survivable (fuselage is armored and the rotor blades are titanium), and lethal (both internal and external bombs, guns, and rockets). Most recently, Hinds have been seen in the skies over Syria carrying out attack missions against both ISIS insurgents and Syrian rebels.

4. AH-64 Apache

The Apache is the most technologically advanced of the bunch, with helmet-mounted cueing and avionics that allow it to prioritize 256 targets day or night and in all weather conditions. Like the Cobra, the two-man crew sits in tandem with the pilot in the rear cockpit. The Apache carries a mix of weapons including rockets, Hellfire missiles, and a chin-mounted 30MM chain gun. The Apache first proved its worth during Desert Storm, an environment for which it was well suited. It’s also been extensively employed in the wars since 9-11.

Time to get moto with a couple of awesome videos. First, check out this Cobra compilation:

Now dig this Apache action:

http://www.scout.com/military/warrior/story/1671889-4-most-lethal-attack-helicopters

 

[vsdave2302]

At very high altitude, noting can come close to ALH.

 

[jammersat]

what is the difference between a long bow apache and an ordinary apache ?

 

[Sulman Badshah]

what is the difference between a long bow apache and an ordinary apache ?

Longbow Apache host longbow Radar

 

[jhungary]

what is the difference between a long bow apache and an ordinary apache ?

A few thing are different between Longbow Version and Normal Apache.

1.) Radar

Longbow house a AN/APG-78 radar that provide a 360 degree sweep on top of the rotor, each sweep can lock 128 target at the same time and prioritise the top 16 target for the gunner to engage at once. The radar is located on top of the rotor which give the longbow cover when scanning target and the whole longbow can be hull down and with just the radar dome sticked up and stayed out of sight while engaging.

Older Apache uses a forward looking ground radar that only provide a 270-290 degree sweep, which give 255 target solution without priority. A forward looking radar installed in the front portion of the apache which means whenever the apache are to engage, the whole apache have to come out of hiding to attack the target.

2.) Datalink

Datalink allow target communication between other longbow apache, ground station, ground control, and also UAV, a Longbow-E (Apache Guardian) can control up to 3 UAVs (MQ-1 or RQ-9) and simply take over the UAV ground control station and the UAV can feed back targeting data and using the new L-3 datalink, any air/ground/sea component using the same L-3 line can share the target information between each unit.

Datalink on the older Apache can only lock on to target by itself.

3.) Target acquisition and navigation

Longbow uses newer Arrowhead MTADS/PNVS instead of the older TADS/PNVS. Bascially the different is colour target display, and multifunction display on MTADS vs Mono-Colour display, FLIR and OSD display on the older TADS

 

[jammersat]

So the ones they shoot targets with in iraq where they can't see or hear the helicopter is a longbow variation?


thanks for your informative post @jhungary

A few thing are different between Longbow Version and Normal Apache.

1.) Radar

Longbow house a AN/APG-78 radar that provide a 360 degree sweep on top of the rotor, each sweep can lock 128 target at the same time and prioritise the top 16 target for the gunner to engage at once. The radar is located on top of the rotor which give the longbow cover when scanning target and the whole longbow can be hull down and with just the radar dome sticked up and stayed out of sight while engaging.

Older Apache uses a forward looking ground radar that only provide a 270-290 degree sweep, which give 255 target solution without priority. A forward looking radar installed in the front portion of the apache which means whenever the apache are to engage, the whole apache have to come out of hiding to attack the target.

2.) Datalink

Datalink allow target communication between other longbow apache, ground station, ground control, and also UAV, a Longbow-E (Apache Guardian) can control up to 3 UAVs (MQ-1 or RQ-9) and simply take over the UAV ground control station and the UAV can feed back targeting data and using the new L-3 datalink, any air/ground/sea component using the same L-3 line can share the target information between each unit.

Datalink on the older Apache can only lock on to target by itself.

3.) Target acquisition and navigation

Longbow uses newer Arrowhead MTADS/PNVS instead of the older TADS/PNVS. Bascially the different is colour target display, and multifunction display on MTADS vs Mono-Colour display, FLIR and OSD display on the older TADS

which variation does israel have ?

cause originally i thought the longbow had some sort of long range air to air missile , similar to those carried by US fighter jets

 

[jhungary]

So the ones they shoot targets with in iraq where they can't see or hear the helicopter is a longbow variation?


thanks for your informative post @jhungary




which variation does israel have ?

cause originally i thought the longbow had some sort of long range air to air missile , similar to those carried by US fighter jets

Thank you.

And do you mean The First Iraq war or the Second Iraq war?

The first Iraq war in the 1990 are the A model, they were all older version apache (well, considered the Longbow weren't available until 1999)

However, the second Iraq war (2003-2011) is a bit more complicated, by then all Apache have been upgrade to either A+ or C/D, both are basically Longbow without the radar and they are interchangeable to a point the Army actually designated both C and D version as Longbow. So basically all Legacy Apache served in Iraq during OIF is Longbow (Either actual Longbow D-Series Apache or an A+ capable of radar upgrade) However, some National Guartd unit uses AH-64A as is in place of Kiowa helicopter. So, basically, I cannot tell you what is used in OIF as it is a bit complicated ...

Israel were blocked from obtaining Longbow Radar, so their Apache is an A+ version with Israeli modification.

And I don't think Apache can fire long range AA missile, both A and D can fire AIM-9 or FIM-92 but I don't think they can fire anything longer than AIM-7, but I could be wrong.

 

[Sparkle229]

My favorite of all the helicopter is the HIND because it is nicknamed as a gaint flying fucking tank and also it is mean looking and terrifying

 

[Penguin]

A few thing are different between Longbow Version and Normal Apache.

1.) Radar

Longbow house a AN/APG-78 radar that provide a 360 degree sweep on top of the rotor, each sweep can lock 128 target at the same time and prioritise the top 16 target for the gunner to engage at once. The radar is located on top of the rotor which give the longbow cover when scanning target and the whole longbow can be hull down and with just the radar dome sticked up and stayed out of sight while engaging.

Older Apache uses a forward looking ground radar that only provide a 270-290 degree sweep, which give 255 target solution without priority. A forward looking radar installed in the front portion of the apache which means whenever the apache are to engage, the whole apache have to come out of hiding to attack the target.

2.) Datalink

Datalink allow target communication between other longbow apache, ground station, ground control, and also UAV, a Longbow-E (Apache Guardian) can control up to 3 UAVs (MQ-1 or RQ-9) and simply take over the UAV ground control station and the UAV can feed back targeting data and using the new L-3 datalink, any air/ground/sea component using the same L-3 line can share the target information between each unit.

Datalink on the older Apache can only lock on to target by itself.

3.) Target acquisition and navigation

Longbow uses newer Arrowhead MTADS/PNVS instead of the older TADS/PNVS. Bascially the different is colour target display, and multifunction display on MTADS vs Mono-Colour display, FLIR and OSD display on the older TADS

Not to forget: AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missile

• Target: All armored threats
• Range: 8,000 m (8,749 yd)
• Guidance:
  • Fire and forget millimeter wave radar seeker coupled with inertial guidance
  • Homing capability in adverse weather and the presence of battlefield obscurants
• Warhead: 9 kg (20 lb) tandem shaped charge high explosive anti-tank (HEAT)
• Length: 176 cm (69.2 in)
• Weight: 49 kg (108 lb)

 

[My-Analogous]

This one is not heli but a hell-in copter