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 gathered information about the main lobed "death machines", which to this day can be seen in reports from the "hot spots" and at exhibitions of the best examples of military equipment.

10th place. Agusta A129 Mangusta

This Italian attack helicopter was the first fully developed and assembled in Western Europe. Its carrying capacity is 4.6 thousand kilograms, while it can reach speeds of up to 278 km / h. It is usually equipped with three 20-mm Lockheed Martin guns, as well as eight air-to-ground, air-to-air and several dozen unguided missiles. It is in service with the Italian and Turkish Air Force.

9th place. Mi-24 Crocodile

8th place. CAIC WZ-10

Chinese helicopter developed on the basis of the Russian project. The crew is placed in tandem, which is not found in any other combat vehicle. It is mainly used as an anti-tank helicopter. Due to the relatively small carrying capacity it can accelerate to 300 km / h, while the body of the "iron bird" is made using stealth technology. Armed with a 23-mm cannon, as well as air-to-ground, air-to-air missiles and unguided shells. It is in service with the PRC Air Force.

Photo: 3GO * CHN-405 / mjordan_6

7th place. Ah-2

Attack helicopter developed in South Africa. Designed to destroy enemy manpower and equipment. It develops a speed of up to 300 km / h, while there are no seats for passengers, only a pilot and an operator of weapons systems get on board. Equipped with a 20 mm cannon, guided and unguided missiles. It is in service with the South African Air Force.

Photo: Danie van der Merwe

6th place. Hal lch

5th place. Eurocopter tiger

It was developed by the Franco-German consortium on the basis of three principles: “It should not be noticeable to enemies”, “If it was noticed, it should not get into it”, “If it got into it, it should remain in the air”. The combat vehicle is equipped with modern systems for reducing visibility, detecting and counteracting air defense and survivability. The latter provides for massive armor. It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon, diverse missiles and 12.7 mm machine guns as an additional weapon. It is in service with the armies of Australia, Spain, Germany and France.

Photo: DVIDSHUB - Flickr: French, US forces continue working side by side

4th place. Bell AH-1Z Viper

The attack helicopter designed in the USA has modern rotor and tail rotors and avionics. It also operates flawlessly in bad weather and at night. Mainly used by the American Navy. In sea battles, speed is important, so the Viper is one of the fastest fighting vehicles and has a speed of up to 410 km / h. Armed with a 20-mm three-barreled gun, a large number of air-to-ground missiles and other shells. It is also possible to install an additional two guns.

Photo: Lance Cpl. Christopher O’Quin, USMC - U.S. Marine corps photo

3rd place. Mi-28N “Night Hunter”

Another helicopter developed at the Mil factory. This is a maneuverable combat vehicle capable of performing many aerobatics. It can fly forward with a speed of up to 325 km / h, and its lateral speed is 100 km / h. The helicopter copes with tasks perfectly in any weather. Armed with a 30-mm cannon, several types of missiles, it can also carry small-sized loads for setting minefields. It is in service with the Air Force of Algeria, Iraq and.

Photo: Yevgeny Volkov

2nd place. Ka-52 Alligator

The Alligator is a heavily armed new generation reconnaissance helicopter. It develops a good speed of 330 km / h, but this war machine does not need to fly fast. It has a target detection range of up to 300 km, and can also hit armored vehicles at a distance of 100 km. One of the most modern Russian aircraft has a 30-mm cannon and several diverse missiles. Interestingly, both the crew commander and the weapons systems operator can control the helicopter.

Today, around 27 different models of military helicopters are actively operated in the world. Most likely, there are many passionate lovers of military equipment who will be interested to learn about the most powerful and best air force helicopters. In this review, the best examples of technology in this segment.

1. Boeing AH-64D "Longbow Apache" (USA)

During hostilities in the Persian Gulf, the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow was recognized as the most powerful weapon against tanks. The latest model of this aircraft - the AH-64E Apache Guardian - has a 30-mm M230 gun, sixteen AGM-114L Hellfire 2 anti-tank missiles, 4 air-to-air missiles, and a pair of anti-radar missiles. But that's not all, the helicopter is also equipped with four suspensions of 19 rounds of 70-mm Hydra 70 unguided missiles.

2. Mi-24 "Doe" (Russia)

Mi-24 is one of the very popular and sought-after helicopters all over the world, it is successfully used in practice in the air forces of 50 countries of the world. And despite the fact that the Mi-24 ceased to be released back in the 91st year of the last century, its popularity and modernity is not diminished in our days, and it is still considered one of the most powerful in history. The model was equipped with a 23-mm double-barreled gun and anti-tank missiles "Storm" and 2K8 "Phalanx".

3. Agusta A129 "Mangusta" (Italy)

This is the first special-purpose attack helicopter that was launched in Western Europe. Double, twin-engine colossus was designed specifically to repel missile attacks. The combat helicopter was equipped with a 22 mm cannon, Medusa missiles 70 and 52 mm, 8 anti-tank missiles TOW-2A

4. Denel AH-2 "Rooivalk" (South Africa)

This is the latest generation of aircraft introduced by South African Denel Aviation. The unit can carry on itself the most varied, depending on the implementation of a particular mission. The base model has a 20-mm cannon, four launchers for Denel ZT-6 Mokopa or TOW anti-tank missiles and missile launchers for unguided missiles.

5. Z-10 (China)

The first professional combat vehicle in a series of Chinese aircraft, which was assembled on the basis of the "Project 941" of the Russian bureau of Kamov. It is generally accepted that this helicopter is a member of the same class as the AH-2 Rooivalk and A-129 Mangusta. The unit has a classic configuration with stepped tandem cockpits and a narrow fuselage. The combat component includes a 30-mm cannon, anti-tank missiles HJ-10 and HJ-9, four blocks of unguided missiles and air-to-air missiles.

6. Eurocopter "Tiger" (Germany / France)

It is one of the first-class helicopters deployed by the German and French air forces. This twin-engine four-blade unit was first released in 2003 and belongs to the class of medium-duty aircraft. The helicopter is equipped with eight anti-tank missiles, a 30-mm cannon, four air-to-air missiles, 68 units of unguided missiles and machine guns on suspensions.

7. Mi-28 “Night Hunter” (Russia)

This Russian-made armored aircraft, designed for two pilots, is one of the most advanced anti-tank helicopters in the world. The Mi-28 entered the ranks of the army in 2006. Its maximum speed is 320 km / h, it is equipped with nine guided anti-tank missiles, a 30-mm gun and 9 A-2200 or M120 / M121F Whirlwind missiles.

8. Ka-52 "Alligator" (Russia)

An improved version of the Ka-50 is also one of the fastest and most modern combat aircraft. It is a very powerful, multi-purpose and one of the most maneuverable helicopters on the whole earth. He successfully makes flights both in the daytime and at night. The Alligator is equipped with a 30-mm cannon for 460 shells, 4 air-to-air missiles and 12 anti-tank missiles.

9. Bell AH-1Z "Viper" (USA)

From a technical point of view, this is one of the most ideal helicopters. Worldwide, this is the only combat helicopter model with a fully integrated air-to-air missile system. In addition, the Viper has a 20-mm three-barrel cannon with 750 shells, anti-ship and anti-tank missiles, suspension with bombs and unguided missiles.

10. AH-64E "Apache Guardian" (USA)

On the American continent, this model is considered the most advanced of all ever assembled combat helicopters in the country. The maximum speed of the unit is 300 km / h, it carries 16 AGM-114L Hellfire missiles, four air-to-air missiles, two anti-ballistic missiles and the same number of anti-tank missiles, as well as a suspension with unguided missiles.

At present, helicopters are one of the most advanced means used in logistics, in war and in rescue operations. From the appearance of these vehicles during the Great Patriotic War to this day, helicopters could radically change the course of the battle.

We made the top of the 10 most efficient helicopters to date. Each of them is evaluated by the capabilities of avionics, speed, agility and firepower.

10. Z-10

The Z-10 attack helicopter has been used by the air forces of the Chinese army since 2008. Z-10 is designed as a standard combat ship with tandem cabins. The place of the shooter is in front, the pilot is in the back. Z-10 allows the maintenance of a 30-mm gun, missiles HJ-9, HJ-10 and "BB". Including capable of carrying broken rocket capsules.

  Mi-24 is a huge attack aircraft, as well as a small-tonnage trance for carrying passengers (no more than 8 people). Mi-24 is the first helicopter designed for the Russian Air Force as a combat ship. It is an analogue of the western Apache AH-64, however, it is distinguished from this and similar American helicopters by the ability to carry passengers.

  AH-2 Rooivalk manufactured by Denel, South Africa. From African Rooivalk is translated as "Red Kestrel". African Air Force uses 12 AH-2 helicopters. Although this helicopter looks like a modern one, Rooivalk is based to some extent on the Aerospatiale Puma reverse engineering using the same engines and main rotor.

  The AH-1W is a twin-engine helicopter based on the US Air Force AH-1 Cobra. The Cobra twin family consists of SeaCobra, AH-1T (Advanced SeaCobra) and SuperCobra.

  Agusta A129 "Mongoose" - attack helicopter, originally developed and manufactured by the Italian company Agusta. It is the first attack helicopter fully designed and manufactured in Western Europe.

The T-129 ATAK is a derivative version of A129 and is being developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI), together with AgustaWestland's main partner.

  The mighty one. Flexible. Multitask. The perfect combat helicopter. "Viper" is a twin-engine helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed for the US naval forces. It has a four-blade supportless composite rotor system, high gear and a new sight system. AH-1Z is part of the H-1 modernization plan. Another name for the helicopter is Zulu Cobra.

  Eurocopter Tiger is a combat helicopter created by Eurocopter. In Germany, known as Tiger; in Spain and France they call him Tigre. Equipped with two MTR390 engines.

  The Mi-28 (codified by NATO: The Devastator) is a Russian all-weather military tandem two-seater helicopter. Mi-28 cannot carry out transport operations, as it is intended only for military operations; It is an optimized version of the Mi-24. Armed with one cannon in a barbet under his nose and rockets from the outside, resting on wings.

The Ka-50 is a Russian single-seat combat helicopter with a coaxial rotor system of the Kamov Design Bureau. Developed in the 1980s, began to be used by the Russian Air Force in 1995.

The Ka-50 is made small, fast and agile, which improves its survivability and ability to fly. The minimum weight and size (respectively, maximum speed and mobility) made it unique among single attack helicopters. The Ka-50 "Deceiver" (Hokum) developed in Russia can be armed with 24 Vikhr guided missiles, four units with 20 unguided aviation missiles, or combine them together. The “trickster” is also capable of containing V-V AA-11 / R-73 Archer missiles, which makes it an extremely dangerous threat to other attack helicopters. In addition, it is equipped with a single-barrel gun 2A42 (30mm). The maximum speed of the helicopter is 350 kilometers per hour, the firing radius is 250 kilometers.

  The AH-64D Apache Long Bow attack helicopter was the most involved and most powerful armor-piercing system during the Gulf War. Designed to perform combat missions day or night and in adverse weather conditions, Apache was designed specifically to meet the stringent requirements of the advanced US attack helicopter plan. Apache is equipped with modern electronic technologies and fire control systems. The firepower is amazing. Apache can be loaded with 16 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, 76 70mm folding-finned air missiles or a combination of these - in addition to 1,200 30mm shots from its M230 automatic cannon.

You will see the top ten COOL attack helicopters in the world! Which of them do you think deserves the first line of the rating?

A helicopter is a very effective means for delivering goods (especially to hard-to-reach places), for saving people, and also for military use, including as a strike weapon. From their first appearance during the Second World War to the present day, helicopters have been an indispensable tool in military conflicts.

We have prepared for you a list of ten of the best attack helicopters in the world. Helicopters were evaluated for several characteristics, including avionics, maneuverability, speed and firepower.

#10

CAIC WZ-10

  Attack helicopter CAIC WZ-10 (China)

CAIC WZ-10   - The first Chinese attack helicopter with a tandem cockpit. It was adopted by the Chinese army in 2011. This helicopter was developed using Russian Design Bureau Kamova.

The helicopter has a standard configuration, with a narrow fuselage of the tandem cockpit. Weapons in CAIC WZ-10   may consist of a 23-mm gun, guided and unguided air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.

CAIC WZ-10   equipped with two 1285 hp turboshaft engines each. The maximum speed of the helicopter is more than 300 km / h. The body is made by stealth technology.

#9

Mi-24

This is the first Soviet strike (attack helicopter), which was released in 1971 and was actively used in various military conflicts. For all time, more than 3,500 units of this machine were produced in various modifications.

Mi-24   was the Soviet counterpart AN-64 Apachebut unlike Apatch and other western helicopters, the Mi-24 is also capable of carrying up to eight passengers.

Top speed Mi-24   with horizontal flight is 335 km / h. The helicopter is equipped with various small arms and cannon weapons, depending on the modification. It can also be equipped with various air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and unguided missiles or various bomb weapons.

#8

Denel AH-2 Rooivalk

This helicopter is manufactured in South Africa by Denel aerospace systems. Only 12 attack helicopters operate in the South African Air Force Denel AH-2 Rooivalk. And, although they look like completely new machines, nevertheless, their production was established on the basis of helicopters Aerospatiale puma. In particular, the Denel AH-2 Rooivalk uses the same engines and main rotor.

Denel AH-2 Rooivalk   equipped with two Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshaft power plants with a capacity of 1376 kW each.
  The maximum speed Denel AH-2 Rooivalk is 309 km / h.

The helicopter is equipped with a 20-mm cannon with 700 shells, as well as guided and unguided missiles.

#7

Bell AH-1 Super Cobra

Bell AH-1 Super Cobra   is a U.S. Army twin-engine helicopter based on a single-engine helicopter AH-1 Cobra. Created back in the early 1980s, this helicopter is the main marine assault helicopter in the United States.

The power plant of the helicopter consists of two turboshaft engines General Electric T700-GE-401   1285 kW each.
  The maximum speed of the helicopter is 282 km / h.

The helicopter is equipped with a 20-mm gun with 750 rounds of ammunition, guided by air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as unguided missiles and bombs.

In this article we will discuss the best combat helicopters in the world, make the TOP-10 of the most combat-ready, maneuverable and high-speed vehicles that have repeatedly proved their superiority on the battlefields.

A combat helicopter is an air combat unit with high firepower, the main tasks of which are the destruction of ground targets, providing cover for ground forces and incapacitating enemy armored vehicles.

Let us turn to our list.

Tenth place

Opens our list of "Best Helicopters in the World" the first Chinese attack helicopter Z-10, which was adopted by the Chinese army in 2009.

The armament of this helicopter is a 30-mm machine-gun mount, guided anti-tank missiles of the brand HJ-9 or recently upgraded HJ-10. In addition to this, the helicopter is equipped with a block of unguided missiles and a TU-90 rocket launcher, which is designed to destroy air targets.

The cabin of the car is represented by two steps, in the first there is a shooter, in the second - a pilot.

Ninth place

Continues our TOP-10 of the best Mi-24 helicopters in the world, which is equipped with a cargo compartment, which easily accommodates eight Air Force fighters.

The machine has high mobility, flight is 335 km / h, which is achieved due to the unusual design of the wings.

The machine itself is universal, a variety of military weapons can be mounted on a helicopter, it all depends on the task.

The standard set of armaments is a GUV-1 machine-gun mobile mount with an A-12.7 machine gun (900 rounds), a S-5 NURS unit with a set of NAR UB-32A and 4 ATGM 9M17, borrowed from the Falanga anti-tank gun M ".

Eighth place

AH-2 Rooivalk with confidence ranks eighth in the list of "Best Helicopters in the World", translated from English, the name means "red kestrel".

The maximum speed of the car is 278 km / h.

Guns mounted on a combat vehicle:

• F-2 gun, ammunition 700 rounds, caliber 20 x 139 mm.
• Mokopa ZT-6 air-to-ground missiles (8-16 pieces).
• Air-to-air missiles: Mistral (4 pieces).
• FFAr rockets.

Seventh place

Continues our top of the best helicopters in the world American AH-1W, the so-called "Super Cobra".

Unlike classmates, the machine has two engines, the power of which is 1285 kW. each, maximum - 282 km / h.

The gun mounted on the machine does not stand out, a 20-mm gun with a capacity of 750 rounds, air-to-ground and air-to-air. In addition to this, a set of unguided missiles is installed.

Sixth place

The T129 / A129 helicopter jointly created by Italy and Turkey was fixed in sixth place on the list of “The best military helicopters of the world”. It was the first combat vehicle fully created in Western Europe.

The maximum speed of the car is 250 km / h, installed Royal-Royce engine, take-off power of which is 881 liters. pp., developed by the Italian company Agusta.

The machine guns with which the helicopter is equipped have a caliber of 2 x 7.62 or 12.7 mm.

Like all brothers, the machine is equipped with a complex of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

Fifth place

The next place is occupied by the American attack aircraft AH-1Z.

The machine has good handling and is one of the first places in terms of firing accuracy. The three-barreled gun, whose caliber is 20 mm, is excellent for destroying ground targets.

To conventional guided and uncontrolled rocket launchers in the arsenal of weapons added cannon containers. It is also possible to install 4 ATGM TOW.

The number of engines is two, the brand is AH-1S (-P) (Production). The power of one is 1285 kW.

The helicopter is in service with countries such as the USA, Iran, Thailand, Turkey, China.

Fourth place

In front of the leaders of the list is an attack aircraft created by German-French engineers - Eurocopter Tiger.

It is in service with countries such as Germany, Spain, France and Australia.

Compared with classmates, the car has a better disguise, and the noise emitted in motion is reduced to a minimum.

Engines mounted on the attack aircraft have a capacity of 1303 liters. from. each, and the maximum flight speed is 278 km / h.

The gun is a cannon with a caliber of 30 mm, there are also 4 points for hanging various types of rocket launchers. In addition, the helicopter can be equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns, each store holds 250 rounds.

Third place

Opens the list of leaders "The best helicopters of the world" the Russian development of the Mi-28-N, which received the nickname "devastator".

This model is an in-depth refinement of the Mi-28 helicopter. The maneuverability and complexity of the performed airborne figures in flight makes the attack aircraft difficult to reach. For example, the so-called or Immelman coup can be performed at a speed of 100 km / h.

All the most necessary and vital nodes have a duplicate and are located in different parts of the helicopter, which helps during combat to provide the machine with maximum survivability.

The engine of the machine and the VK2500 has a capacity of 2200 liters. with., the maximum speed of 300 km / h.

The gun, which is equipped with a helicopter, has a caliber of 30 mm, and the helicopter is also equipped with a complex of guided missiles and air-to-air missiles.

Second place

Before you find out the best helicopter in the world, we will discuss the car, which is located in second place.

AH-64 Apache - an American attack helicopter, during the operation it proved itself only from the best side. Its combat power is one of the best among helicopters of all time, this model is universal in its class.

In the conditions of hostilities, being in various weather conditions, the machine performed the most difficult combat missions.

The helicopter is equipped with 16 rocket launchers of various calibers and purposes. The machine gun has a caliber of 70 mm, which makes it easy to hit many weakly armored targets.

Engines have a capacity of 1890 liters. from. each engine brand is AH-64A + / D.

First place

Ka-50/52 - the best helicopter in the world of production in Russia. He received the nickname "Black Shark" because of its extraordinary speed of movement, a formidable form, and the main trump card of the machine is its firepower, which is incomparable with any similar indicator of other helicopters in the world.

This model is a single-seat attack attack helicopter, in the creation of which a lot of effort has been invested. The main task of the designers was to develop the best speed and maneuverability, the size of the helicopter in its class is the smallest, thanks to which it has the highest level of camouflage and is able to quickly change its location.

Ka-50/52 has a top speed of 310 km / h, which is an average of 20-30 km more than the rest of the vehicles on our list. Engine power is 2400 liters. S., his brand is TV3-117VMA.

The maximum mass of weapons that a helicopter can carry in one battle is two tons.

The gun is a cannon with a caliber of 30 mm, the pilot has the ability to quickly switch between high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing shells. You can also adjust the rate of fire from 350 to 550 rounds per minute. The helicopter is equipped with six pieces on each side.

Possible suspension of missiles X-25 (air-to-air) and P-73 (air-to-air, homing).

Today, the Ka-50/52 remains the 100% leader among attack assault helicopters.

Conclusion

So the list of "The best helicopters of the world" has ended, but we can say with confidence that the best helicopters that have been tested by time and have been used more than once in hostilities have consolidated in our ranking.

The military industry does not stand still, it is possible that new, more modernized helicopters are hurrying to replace the “veterans”, but all the attack aircraft that were mentioned today have already left their mark on history.