On the list of military weapon/transportation, attack helicopter becoming crucial considering its basic role as one that will support ground personnel. By its role, attack helicopter is meant so when there is incoming military attack ground personnel will get enough support from the air. Within its definition, attack helicopter also being understood in the term on which the primary role is closed to the capability to engage targets on the ground, such as armored vehicles and enemy infantry. An attack helicopter functioned as an integral part of military weapon also carries heavy armament within, so apparently some people would also call them as “helicopter gunship”. An attack helicopter will also play the key role, especially in hard situation where the battle is begin. Let us say, with the ownership of guided missiles, rockets, machine guns, or auto-cannons, such helicopter surely important to support the mission of ground troops.
On the other hand, we should also count another type of military attack helicopter which able to carry air to air missiles (though it only uses as one that will support self-defense). In different circumstance like when scout mission is needed, an attack helicopter also used to provide supplement for lighter helicopter. In such circumstance, the previous one will play the role as guardian for the small one. So we can imagine about how the helicopter will going to play important role in the battle field. Within the sense on what I’ve written above, some people might familiar with a type of attack helicopter such as Apache helicopter. The latter is popular one, in which the trace of it can be recognized in the 1990s. At that time, the AH-64 Apache was used in operation desert storm, and we must admit that without the appearance of that attack helicopter, the mission would be far away from the word “success”. In supporting the mission, the Apache has been destroyed SAM sites and early warning radar, both of them are owned by the enemies. The attack helicopter like Apache plays its key role when they give direct attack to enemy armor. Cannon attacks and hellfire missile carried by the Apache also two important equipments that become key success for such attack helicopter. It means that the helicopter will be able to destroy many armored cars and tanks of which owned by the enemies.
Army helicopter, as have been well represented by a type of attack helicopter like Apache, is already proven to be crucial part in term of supporting battle mission. Therefore, attack helicopter also now by far considered as one that is more effective, compared to the other like the fighter jets.
The list of modern attack helicopter in the world:
On the other hand, we should also count another type of military attack helicopter which able to carry air to air missiles (though it only uses as one that will support self-defense). In different circumstance like when scout mission is needed, an attack helicopter also used to provide supplement for lighter helicopter. In such circumstance, the previous one will play the role as guardian for the small one. So we can imagine about how the helicopter will going to play important role in the battle field. Within the sense on what I’ve written above, some people might familiar with a type of attack helicopter such as Apache helicopter. The latter is popular one, in which the trace of it can be recognized in the 1990s. At that time, the AH-64 Apache was used in operation desert storm, and we must admit that without the appearance of that attack helicopter, the mission would be far away from the word “success”. In supporting the mission, the Apache has been destroyed SAM sites and early warning radar, both of them are owned by the enemies. The attack helicopter like Apache plays its key role when they give direct attack to enemy armor. Cannon attacks and hellfire missile carried by the Apache also two important equipments that become key success for such attack helicopter. It means that the helicopter will be able to destroy many armored cars and tanks of which owned by the enemies.
Army helicopter, as have been well represented by a type of attack helicopter like Apache, is already proven to be crucial part in term of supporting battle mission. Therefore, attack helicopter also now by far considered as one that is more effective, compared to the other like the fighter jets.
The list of modern attack helicopter in the world:
| Attack Helicopter | Picture | Specifications | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) |  | Under Development | India | 2012 |
| CAIC WZ-10 |  | Maximum speed: 324 km/h Range: 800 km Unit Cost: - | China | 2008 |
| RAH-66 Comanche |  | Maximum speed: 300 km/h Range: 2,200 km Unit Cost: - | US | 2004 |
| Eurocopter Tiger (EC 665) |  | Maximum speed: 290 km/h with mast, 315 km/h without mast (157 knots, 181 mph with mast, 170 knots or 196 mph without mast) Range: 800 km (430 nm, 500 mi Unit Cost: US 31 Million | France | 2003 |
| Denel AH2 Rooivalk (Kestrel) |  | Never exceed speed: 309 km/h (167 knots, 193 mph) Cruise speed: 278 km/h (150 knots, 173 mph) at sea level (max cruise) Range: 740 km (380 nmi, 437 mi) Unit Cost: US 40 Million | South Africa | 1999 |
| Panha 2091Toufan |  | Max speed: 236 km/h Range: 600 km | Iran | 1998 |
| Kamov Ka-50 (Black Shark) / (Hokum) |  | Never exceed speed: 350 km/h (189 knots, 217 mph) in dive Maximum speed: 315 km/h (170 knots, 196 mph) in level flight Cruise speed: 270 km/h (146 knots, 168 mph) Range: 545 km (339 miles) Unit Cost: USD 16 Million | Soviet Union | 1995 |
| Agusta A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) |  | Maximum speed: 278 km/h (148 knots, 170 mph) Cruise speed: 229 km/h (135 knots, 155 mph) Range: 510 km (275 nm, 320 mi) | Italy | 1990 |
| AH64 Apache |  | Never exceed speed: 197 knots (227 mph, 365 km/h) Maximum speed: 158 knots (182 mph, 293 km/h) Cruise speed: 143 knots (165 mph, 265 km/h) Range: 257 nmi (295 mi, 476 km) with Longbow radar mast Combat radius: 260 nmi (300 mi, 480 km) Unit Cost: USD 20 Million | US | 1986 |
| Eurocopter AS565 Panther |  | Maximum speed: 306 km/h Range: 827 km | France | 1985 |
| Mil Mi-28 (Havoc) |  | Maximum speed: 320 km/h (172 knots, 199 mph) Cruise speed: 270 km/h (145 knots, 168 mph) Range: 435 km (234 nmi, 270 mi) Combat radius: 200 km (108 nmi, 124 mi) Unit Cost: € 12 Million | Soviet Union | 1983 |
| Hughes / MD Helicopters AH-6 / MH-6 Little Bird |  | Maximum speed: 282 km/h Range: 430 km | US | 1980 |
| Mil Mi-24 (Hind) |  | Maximum speed: 335 km/h (208 mph) Range: 450 km (280 miles) Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,750 ft) | Soviet Union | 1973 |
| AH-1W Super Cobra |  | Never exceed speed: 180 knots (207 mph, 333 km/h) Maximum speed: 180 knots (207 mph, 333 km/h) Range: 311 nmi (358 mi, 576 km) Unit Cost: USD 10.7 Million | US | 1971 |
| Bell OH-58 Kiowa |  | Maximum speed: 149 mph (241 km/h) Cruise speed: 127 mph (204 km/h) Range: 345 miles (555 km) Armament: AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles Hydra 70 rockets M296 or M3P .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine gun. AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles | US | 1969 |
| Bell AH-1 Cobra |  | Never exceed speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h) Maximum speed: 149 knots (172 mph, 277 km/h) Range: 274 nmi (315 mi, 510 km) Armament: General Dynamics 20 mm (0.787 in) Hydra 70 2.75 in (70 mm) rockets - 7 rockets TOW Missiles - 4 or 8 missiles | US | 1967 |
| Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne |  | Maximum speed: 212 knots (244 mph, 393 km/h) Cruise speed: 195 kn (225 mph, 362 km/h) Range: 1,063 nmi (1,225 mi, 1,971 km) Guns: 1 × nose turret with either an M129 40 mm (1.57 in) grenade launcher or an XM196 7.62x51 mm machine gun and 1 × belly turret with an XM140 30 mm (1.18 in) cannon Hardpoints: 6 Rockets: 2.75 in (70 mm) FFA rockets Missiles: BGM-71 TOW missiles | US | 1967 |
