Ka-52 "Alligator" is the best attack helicopter in the world. Its unconventional layout, fantastic maneuverability and powerful weapon even the legendary AN-64 Apache is left far behind the flag, not to mention other machines. Details in our review.

invisible dragon

The Changhe Z-10 attack helicopter is one of the few samples of Chinese military equipment created on its own. Well, almost. This decision was caused by the impossibility (due to US sanctions) to buy a modern combat helicopter abroad and copy it as usual. However, when the Z-10 took shape and characteristics, it turned out that foreign countries still helped the Chinese Helicopter Institute.

Lacking modern turboshaft engines, China bought 10 engines for an experimental batch of helicopters from Pratt-Whitney Canada, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., which was severely fined by the US authorities for supplying military technology to China. On serial samples of the Z-10, according to official information, Chinese-made engines developed with the participation of Russian and Ukrainian specialists are installed.

The French company "Eurocopter" developed the main rotor, and the Italian "Agusta" - the transmission. The embargo was circumvented, because according to the documents, the nodes were created for a civilian helicopter. And when the first photos of the Chinese helicopter appeared, it became obvious that the designers of the Celestial Empire invented the Apache, whose faceted fuselage hints at the use of stealth technologies.

The helicopter is equipped with a fly-by-wire control system and a "glass cockpit" where instrument readings, air navigation and combat conditions are displayed on multifunctional displays. It also has a helmet-mounted sighting and information system. The nose of the Z-10 is equipped with an infrared camera, a laser rangefinder and a camera for night flights.

The main armament of Changhe are eight HJ-10 anti-tank guided missiles, an analogue of the American AGM-114 Hellfire ATGM. The helicopter is also equipped with a 30mm cannon in the nose turret, unguided rockets and light air-to-air missiles to protect against air attack. In general, 30-year-old American technology, powered by low-power engines, may impress neighbors (who don't even have one), but can't really stand up to the best machines in this class.

African crocodile

The South African Super Hind, manufactured by ATE, is one of the many upgrades of the Soviet Mi-24, delivered hundreds to developing countries. The history of the Hindu specifically began with 40 Algerian helicopters transferred to South Africa for renovation. Compared to the Mi-24, its African descendant has a modified nose. The visibility from the cockpit has been improved, new electronic equipment has been installed. The centering of the machine has shifted back, in connection with which maneuverability has improved - especially when flying at ultra-low altitudes with obstacle avoidance.

The weight of the car has decreased by two tons. The crew is protected by Kevlar armor and is equipped with multifunctional displays for operational information. The Soviet 30 mm cannon in the nose of the helicopter was replaced by a 20 mm South African one with high speeds and pointing angles. In the top-end configuration, the Super Hind is equipped with a helmet-mounted sight, which allows the pilot to control both the surveillance and sighting system and weapons with a glance.

The helicopter is capable of using a wide range of Russian and South African weapons. The main strike weapons are the Ingwe ATGM - eight missiles can be placed in two launchers under the wings. During the tests, more than 400 ATGMs were fired and 90 percent of them hit their targets.

Decent car, and for the African continent just first-class. But, despite all its merits, the Mi-24 (Crocodile in air force slang) is the car of yesterday. Especially if not Russian guys fly on it.

plastic tiger

Collapse prevented the creation of the Italian-French-German attack helicopter Eurocopter Tiger Soviet Union and the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Germany. The likelihood that the "Russians will come" dropped sharply and Germany immediately halved the plan for the purchase of Tigers. Then France switched financial flows from the eurocopter to its own, named Jaffe (Kochet). Nevertheless, in 1994 the design of the machine was finally approved and it went into production.

The fuselage and wing of the "Tiger" is made of carbon fiber, fiberglass and Kevlar fairings. great attention given to survivability - the helicopter can withstand hits of 23-mm shells from the Shilka ZSU without any problems. The transmission gearbox is capable of running for 30 minutes without lubrication, and the extra strength makes it insensitive to 12.7mm bullets. The non-retractable tricycle landing gear is capable of withstanding hard landings at vertical speeds of up to 6 meters per second.

The cabin is double, tandem: the pilot sits in front, behind him is the operator. Their seats are shock-absorbing and armored. The Tiger proved to be the first serial helicopter to feature liquid crystal displays that allow readouts in any light. The combined threat alert system is sensitive to both radar radiation and laser beams. The crew rely on helmet-mounted sights to control weapons.

As for the weapons themselves, each country participating in the project has its own. Common only 30 mm automatic cannon. On four suspension points under the wings, the Tiger can carry eight Franco-German HOT ATGMs or the same number of Hellfires and four Mistral or Stinger defensive anti-aircraft missiles. Instead of ATGMs, blocks with 22 unguided rockets, heavy machine guns and additional fuel tanks can be suspended.

Despite the high technology and the general production culture, the fate of the Eurocopter cannot be called enviable. The German Ministry of Defense declared the Tiger unusable due to numerous defects and shortcomings. 22 vehicles armed with the AGM-114 Hellfire were acquired by Australia for subsequent modernization and adaptation. Interest in buying helicopters was shown by India and Saudi Arabia, but the deals did not take place.

Apache chief

Army aviation of the United States, Great Britain, Israel, the Netherlands and Japan uses various modifications the legendary AH-64 Apache. According to the terms of reference of the US Department of Defense, formulated in 1972, the new machine was supposed to fight tanks in the face of active opposition to air defense and electronic warfare at any time of the day and in any weather, have good maneuverability, high survivability and autonomy. All helicopter and a number of US aircraft firms participated in the development of the attack helicopter, it took 12 years to fine-tune it, and the Apache was adopted in 1984.

The leading edges of the main rotor blades are made of titanium - it withstands light touches of trees and other obstacles, which is necessary for low-level flight around obstacles. Two turboshaft engines with a capacity of 1625 Horse power separate and interchangeable. To reduce noise, the tail rotor is made X-shaped, and its blades are set at different angles: each of them suppresses part of the noise produced by the previous one. The main legs of the non-retractable landing gear are equipped with powerful shock absorbers capable of absorbing the impact energy during an emergency landing at a vertical speed of 12 meters per second.

The main armament of the AN-64 is the "Hellfire" ATGM, which operates on the "fire and forget" principle. The sighting and navigation system automatically captures targets and fires at them. The module on the nose of the helicopter, which rotates in two planes, has infrared and television cameras, as well as a laser rangefinder. Another system allows you to fly blind at any altitude. Information from its sensors is displayed on a color display and a helmet-mounted indicator.

Apaches received their baptism of fire in Iraq. It was these helicopters that fired the first Desert Storm shots, firing Hellfires on the night of January 17, 1991 at two Iraqi air defense radars in the suburbs of Baghdad. Both radars were destroyed. Further, the AN-64 carried out support for the ground operation, shooting Iraqi tanks. According to various sources, the Apaches burned from 278 to 500 combat vehicles.

During the second war in Iraq and its occupation by American troops, the weaknesses of the helicopter began to come to light. The AN-64 is protected from machine gun fire and small-caliber anti-aircraft guns, but is defenseless against MANPADS - especially when flying at low altitude over city blocks, where the helicopter does not have time to perform an anti-aircraft maneuver. In total, about fifty Apaches were lost in Iraq - some of them were burned by partisans, firing mortars at the locations of the US Air Force.

Now the Longbow modification is in service. It is distinguished from the former by a powerful radar located above the main rotor and improved electronics. In particular, the integrated fire control system allows one helicopter from the group to observe targets and direct them to ATGMs fired by other vehicles from cover.

Symmetric response

No matter how good the Apache is - and it is really good and will remain the main NATO attack helicopter for the coming decades - it is far from the Russian Ka-52 Alligator. It is simply incorrect to compare them, since these are machines of different generations - like Farman and PAK FA: they perform the same tasks, but the difference is obvious.

Thanks to the coaxial scheme with two rotors, the Ka-52 has fantastic maneuverability - it can fly backwards at a speed of 130 kilometers per hour, sideways - 100 kilometers per hour. Max Speed"Alligator" is also the best in the class - 370 km / h. The machine is capable of performing aerobatics, inaccessible to conventional helicopters. What is one "Funnel" figure worth when the Ka-52 circles over the target, being constantly turned to it with its nose and pouring continuous fire. The helicopter is also capable of performing aerobatics: roll, oblique loop and other elements.

Coaxial propellers provided the Ka-52 with real all-weather ability - it can fly against a hurricane at a speed of 140 kilometers per hour, clearly maintaining a route and location using satellite navigation. The takeoff power of each of the two engines is 2500 horsepower, if one engine fails, the other gives out up to 2800. There is a surge exit mode and automatic start after the engine stops in the air.

Surveillance and flight and search and sighting systems are integrated into a single digital complex with an on-board computer, a defense complex and three radio stations. The Ka-52 is capable of detecting, tracking and firing at targets (including subtle ones) at any time of the day and in dense fog. On-board electronics has an open architecture, allowing, if necessary, to install new software without replacing the hardware.

Armed with "Alligator" ATGM "Whirlwind" with a laser guidance system and a tandem warhead. The missile penetrates 900 mm armor, ignoring active protection. The first stage of the warhead is reflected by the defense, and the second one burns through any tank from any projection, arranging a local hell inside. With a series of "Whirlwinds", the helicopter covers four targets in 30 seconds. The Americans have such characteristics so far only on paper - in a promising system ordered by DAPRA.

For reprisals against lightly armored targets, radars and anti-aircraft installations, the Ka-52 has a 30-millimeter automatic cannon. It is located near the center of mass, which increases the accuracy of fire, speed and maneuverability of the vehicle. The shells penetrate 15 mm armor at a distance of 1500 meters at a meeting angle of 60 degrees - an unattainable figure in the world. No other air gun in the world is capable of this.

The Alligator's cabin is armored, the fuel system is protected from explosion and fire. Experiments have shown that the helicopter can continue flying even with the complete destruction of the tail, while the Apache, if the tail rotor is damaged, goes out of control. If both engines fail, the Ka-52 plans to autorotate. A hard landing is compensated by shock absorbers and landing gear, an armored nose and crushable blocks under the seats. Ejection seats are designed with helicopter specifics in mind. In an emergency, strips of explosives break the cockpit windows, and the propeller blades are fired.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has ordered 240 Ka-52 helicopters, more than 50 have already entered the troops. More than a hundred "Alligators" will be adopted by the navy - to support landings and hunt ships of small and medium tonnage.

Selection of the best at the moment attack helicopters which are in service with the leading countries of the world.

Yes, it's time for the Chinese military equipment began to hit the tops. CAIC WZ-10 is the first Chinese attack helicopter with a tandem cockpit, was put into service in 2011. It was developed in cooperation with the Kamov Design Bureau, a trifle but nice. 1285 hp each. Top speed 300 km/h.

The progenitor of all Russian attack helicopters, the legend of all times and peoples, meet the Mi 24 !!! Year of creation 1971. Capable of transporting up to 8 people. Maximum speed 335 km/h. .

Incredibly, attack helicopters are also produced in .... South Africa. As many as 12 vehicles are in service with this country. It was created on the basis of Aerospatiale puma. The maximum speed is 309 km / h. The main armament consists of 20 mm cannons with an ammunition load of 700 shells, and the same from guided and non-guided missiles.

Bell Ah 1 Super Cobra is the brainchild of the American military machine. I think those who played Battlefield Vietnam immediately recognized this rotorcraft, it was his donor, Bell Ah 1 Cobra provided air support to US troops in the bloody war with Vietnam. Bell Ah 1 Super cobra to this day forms the basis of US attack helicopter aviation, although it was developed in the 80s. The maximum speed is 282 km / h. The armament is standard for this type of helicopter: 20 mm cannon with 750 rounds of ammunition and missiles of various classes.

A129 Developed by Italian designers from Agusta. So the Italians can make not only sports cars but also cool helicopters. By the way, this is the first helicopter that was completely independently developed in Western Europe. The maximum speed is 250 km / h. Driven by Rolls Royce Gem 2 turbo engines -1004D (881 HP)

AH 1Z Viper is essentially a more sophisticated modification of the Bell Ah 1 Super Сobra. It has an upgraded guidance, aiming and firing system. It was adopted relatively recently in 2011. The maximum speed is 287 km / h. It has two very powerful engines with a capacity of 1723 hp. with each.

Eurocopter Tiger is another European, created in the alliance of Germany with France. Start of production in 2002. It is in service with the following countries: Germany, France, Australia, Spain. It is armed with a 30 mm cannon.

MI 28N Known as Night Hunter, a deeply modified version of the MI 28. It was adopted in 2013. It has no analogues in the world in many technical indicators. It has the most modern equipment. It is able to work in the most severe weather conditions. The helicopter is very tenacious since almost all equipment is duplicated. It develops 300 km / h, thanks to two engines with a total power of 4400 hp !!! Armed with a 30 mm cannon as well as rockets.

AH64D Apache Longbow Definitely one of the best helicopters in the history of aircraft construction. It is equipped with the most modern electronic systems. This helicopter is armed with attention ... .70 mm cannon (!!!) It can also carry up to 16 missiles of various classes. Maximum speed 265 km / h. Engine power 1890 l .with everyone. I note that this helicopter showed itself especially brightly in the war in the Persian Gulf.

The AH64D Apache Longbow is certainly good, but the domestic KA 52 Alligator is perhaps the best. It has absolutely unique maneuverability and tremendous firepower. in all weather conditions and even in a hurricane! The total power of the engines is 5000 hp. Armed with anti-tank missile system"Whirlwind" penetrating 900 mm armor. It also has a 30 mm cannon that has no analogues in the world, which is capable of penetrating 15 mm armor from a distance of up to 1.5 km. Thanks to the Kamov Design Bureau for the safety of our borders.

First seen over the battlefield during the Korean War, helicopters revolutionized military tactics. Today, rotorcraft confidently occupy their niche in the arsenal of modern armies and civil services, performing the tasks of transporting people and cargo, fire support, take part in search and rescue operations and reconnaissance missions.
To earn the right to be called the best, cars must show everything they are capable of. in the most severe climatic conditions, loaded "to the eyeballs", under enemy fire and at the limit of their capabilities.

We bring to your attention the top ten helicopters in the world according to the Military Channel. As always, the selection criteria will be the technical excellence of designs, production volumes, the legendary and chief and impartial judge - experience in military conflicts.

All 10 helicopters presented in the review have their own remarkable features, they all went through the school of survival in hot spots and received funny slang names.

Like any Military Channel show, this rating is not without bias. Another controversial point - how can you compare transport and attack helicopters? According to the creators of the rating, there are few highly specialized designs, most helicopters are multi-purpose. For example, the transport Mi-8 can successfully support ground troops with fire, not to mention its assault modification Mi-8AMTSh Terminator.
All the necessary comments have been made, now I propose to get to know the technique better.

10th place - Cow

Mi-26 - heavy transport helicopter
First flight - 1977
310 built
Carrying capacity - 20 tons of cargo or 80 paratroopers

The rotary-wing heavyweight has become the largest helicopter in the world. Unique Features required special technical solutions. Eight-bladed main rotor, multi-threaded power transmission, three video cameras for monitoring the condition of the load on the external sling - these are just some of the features of this machine.
A serious test for the Mi-26 was the work to eliminate the consequences of the accident on Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Overloaded with lead radiation shielding, Mi-26s were engaged in complex assembly operations on the territory of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In order not to raise clouds of radioactive dust, it was necessary to work with an elongated external suspension, which required remarkable courage and skill from the crews. All Mi-26s that took part in this operation were buried in the Exclusion Zone.

9th place - Links (Lynx)

Westland Lynx - British multi-purpose helicopter

First flight - 1971
400 built
Combat load - 750 kg, including 10 landing personnel and suspended weapons: 4 anti-ship missiles in the marine version or 20 mm guns, 70 mm Hydra rockets and up to 8 anti-tank missiles TOW in the land version.

The appearance of the "Lynx" is not impressive: there is no aggressiveness of the American "Apache" or Mi-24 in it. But despite its typically civilian appearance, the combat "Lynx" is one of the most common ship-based helicopters in the world. The Lynx took part in the Falklands War, a cycle of naval battles that became the largest naval conflict since the Second World War. The combat debut was successful - the "Lynx" of the Royal Navy sank an Argentine patrol ship with the help of anti-ship missiles "Sea Scua". Over its forty-year history, the Lynxes were noted in the combat zone in the Balkans, where they provided a blockade of the coast of Yugoslavia and in Iraq in the winter of 1991, destroying the T-43 minesweeper, 4 border boats, a landing ship and a missile boat.
But what makes the Westland Lynx truly unique? Incredibly, this unsightly machine holds the world speed record among serial helicopters - in 1986, the Lynx accelerated to 400 km / h.

8th place - Flying car

Boeing CH-47 "Chinook" - heavy military transport helicopter of the longitudinal scheme
First flight - 1961
1179 built
Carrying capacity: 12 tons of cargo or up to 55 people

An important feature of the modern army is its mobility. If on a global scale the transfer of troops provides transport aviation, then directly on the battlefield this is the task of helicopters.
This problem is especially acute for American army in Vietnam - mountainous terrain, drastic changes weather, the lack of maps and roads, the ubiquitous and numerous enemy - all this required a special air means. This is where the Chinook heavy transport helicopter came in handy, built according to an unusual longitudinal scheme with two rotors. During his long service, many funny stories have accumulated. For example, one of the loading options sounded like this: you can stuff 33 Americans or ... 55 Vietnamese into a Chinook. Once, during the evacuation of Vietnamese refugees, a record was registered: 147 people were taken on board.

"Flying wagons" tried to stay away from the battlefield, specializing in the transfer of cargo from ships to supply bases. Although more exotic applications are known: as bombers, smoke curtains, tear gas sprayers, artillery "tractors". They looked especially impressive in raids on evacuation of damaged aircraft: in the first year of hostilities, the Chinooks took out 100 planes and helicopters that made emergency landings.In total, during the Vietnam War, they evacuated a thousand devices with a total value of 3 billion dollars!
The helicopter is still in service, taking part in operations around the world.

7th place - Cobra

Bell AH-1 “Cobra” – attack helicopter
First flight - 1965
1116 Cobras and 1271 Super Cobras built
Built-in weapons: a remote-controlled installation with two six-barreled Miniguns + 4 suspension points, on which containers with machine guns, air-to-air missiles, 70 mm NURSs, TOW anti-tank guided missiles can be placed.

Scary helicopter. As if Death itself descended from heaven in the guise of a narrow, sinister silhouette of the Cobra. The nose machine gun turret continued to fire even if the helicopter was flying in the other direction. Bloody Vietnam, the Middle East, where the Cobras unexpectedly turned into tank hunters, the meat grinder in Waziristan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq - this is an incomplete track record of the Cobra ...

The AH-1 was the world's first purpose-built attack helicopter. The pilots' cockpits and side projections are protected by NORAC composite armor. "Cobra" received a powerful sighting system that allows you to work on targets in any weather conditions.
To date, the modernized "Cobra" are in service with the Corps Marine Corps USA. The light compact helicopter has excellent characteristics for being deployed on amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers.

6th place - Crocodile

Mi-24 - transport and combat helicopter
NATO code name - Hind ("Doe")
First flight - 1969
Over 2000 units built
Built-in armament: four-barreled machine gun of 12.7 mm caliber on a mobile mount; suspended weapons: free-fall bombs, NURSs with a caliber from 57 to 240 mm, the Falanga anti-tank missile system, suspended cannon containers, as well as up to 8 people in the troop compartment.

American experts delivered a stunning verdict: the Mi-24 is not a helicopter! Like this. No more and no less.
The Mi-24 looks like a helicopter, it is used as a helicopter, but from a technical point of view, it is a hybrid of an airplane and a helicopter. Indeed, the Mi-24 cannot hover in one place or take off from a "patch" - it needs a runway (under normal load, the takeoff run is 100 ... 150 meters). What's the secret? Visually, the Mi-24 has disproportionately large pylons (in fact, these are decent-sized wings). US Air Force specialists, testing the Crocodile that fell into their hands, determined that at least a quarter of the lift force it creates with the help of wings, and, at high speeds, the value can reach 40%.
The Mi-24 piloting technique is also unusual - when the lift force decreases, the pilot slightly lowers the nose - the car accelerates and lift occurs on the wings. Like on a plane.


And you thought such wings for beauty?

What are the benefits of this outlandish hybrid? Firstly, the Mi-24 was created according to the concept of a "flying infantry fighting vehicle", which required non-standard technical solutions from the designers - heavy armor, an airborne compartment and a powerful weapon system did not fit in a standard helicopter design. Secondly, due to its "aircraft" qualities, the heavy "Crocodile" is one of the fastest combat helicopters in the world (maximum speed - 320 km / h).
"Crocodile" fought in the gorges of the Caucasus and in the Pamir mountains, in the sultry Asian deserts and tropical forests Equatorial Africa. But military glory came to him in Afghanistan. The unique rotary-wing attack aircraft became a symbol of that war.

According to the Iraqi government newspaper The Baghdad Observer, in 1982, during the Iran-Iraq War, an Mi-24 shot down an Iranian F-4 Phantom supersonic fighter. Unfortunately, the exact details of that battle remain unclear. But it is known for certain that Hussein's pilots on the Mi-24 shot down two dozen Iranian helicopters. On this occasion - black humor from the creators of the rating: "Never smile at the crocodile!" (Never mess with a crocodile).
But the best thing about the "Crocodile" was said by an Afghan Mujahideen in an interview with an American news channel: We are not afraid of the Russians, but we are afraid of their helicopters.

5th place - Stallion

Sikorsky CH-53E “Super Stallion” - heavy transport helicopter
First flight - 1974
Built - 115 units
Carrying capacity - 13 tons of payload in the cargo compartment or up to 14.5 tons on an external sling; or 55 paratroopers

The giant flying boat CH-53E is a deep modernization of the famous helicopter CH-53 "Sea Stalyen", created in 1964 specifically for the needs of the Navy, Marine Corps and US Coast Guard. Specialists of the Sikorsky company mounted a third engine and a seven-blade main rotor on the original design, for which the sailors called the modernized helicopter "Hurricane Maker" (literally - "hurricane maker"), such a powerful whirlwind of water spray and elastic air jets is created by the power plant CH- 53E.



Night operation, Iraq

What else is famous for "Stallion" (namely, this is how Stallion is translated)? On this huge machine, the "dead loop" was demonstrated!
The naval career of the CH-53 and CH-53E was not limited to standard transport missions. Rotary-wing flying boats were used as minesweepers (modification MH-53) and took part in search and rescue operations (modification HH-53). The in-flight refueling system installed on the helicopter allows you to stay in the air day and night.
"Stallion" took root on land - the military liked the powerful transport helicopter. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the CH-53 and CH-53E were used as Gunships, supporting ground forces with fire. In total, the CH-53 family includes 522 helicopters built.

4th place - Huey (Iroquois)

Bell UH-1 - multi-purpose military helicopter
First flight - 1956
Built - more than 16,000 units
Carrying capacity: 1.5 tons or 12-14 soldiers.

This private "air cavalry", along with napalm, became a symbol of the Vietnam War. Veterans remember that the Hueys became their home - helicopters delivered them to the position, brought them equipment, supplied them with provisions and ammunition, covered them from the air, and evacuated them from the battlefield in case of injury. Despite huge losses (3000 vehicles did not return to base), combat use Huey is recognized as a success. According to dry statistics, over the 11 years of the war, helicopters made 36 million sorties, i.e. one irretrievable loss accounted for 18,000 sorties - a completely unique result! And this despite the fact that the Huey did not have a reservation at all.

Before the advent of specialized Cobras, Hueys had to perform strike operations - a pair of 12.7 mm machine guns and 48 unguided rockets on a suspension turned the UH-1 into an infernal machine. The fire of the tactical combat group "Eagle Flight" (Flight of Eagles - American tactics of using helicopters) from 10 ... 12 vehicles was equal to the fire of two infantry battalions.

The Huey is Hollywood's favorite helicopter. No action movie is complete without a UH-1 flight scene. As expected, the heroes are sitting in a cockpit open on both sides, carelessly dangling their legs overboard.
Huey holds another record - so many of them were produced that by the end of the 60s, the American troops in Indochina had more helicopters than all the other armies in the world combined. Military and civilian versions of the Huey were delivered to 70 countries around the world (almost like a Kalashnikov assault rifle).

3rd place - Mi-8

Multipurpose helicopter
First flight - 1961
Built - more than 17,000 units
Load capacity: 3 tons or 24 people
Combat load of shock modifications: 2-3 machine guns and up to 1.5 tons of weapons on 6 hardpoints, including 57 mm unguided rockets, free-fall bombs and the Falanga anti-tank complex.

Created 50 years ago, the helicopter turned out to be so successful that it still receives orders from all over the world. It has three dozen civil and military modifications. It is used as a transport and attack helicopter, used for reconnaissance, as a command post, minelayer, tanker and ambulance helicopter. Civilian versions serve passenger airlines, are used in agriculture and during the liquidation of the consequences of natural and man-made disasters.



Military modification of the Mi-8TV ("heavy weapons")

The helicopter is simple, reliable, operated in any conditions - from the hot Sahara to the Far North. Passed all military conflicts, including Afghanistan, Chechnya and the Middle East. And he won't be able to find a replacement anytime soon.

2nd place - Apache

Boeing AH-64 "Apache" - attack helicopter
First flight - 1975
Built - 1174 units
Built-in weapons - 30 mm automatic cannon. Suspended weapons - 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, 76 NURS caliber 70 mm or missile systems"Stinger" for air combat.

"Apache" is a cult machine that has become the prototype of a whole class of modern combat helicopters. He gained fame during Desert Storm, where, according to NATO representatives, he successfully fought tanks. Regularly used by the Israel Defense Forces Air Force.
Only one helicopter - the Russian Mi-28N "Night Hunter" - was able to openly challenge Apache during the Indian tender for the supply of combat helicopters in the fall of 2011. But the old warrior turned out to be smarter and more agile than the young recruit - the electronics “finished” during numerous conflicts allowed the modern modification of the AH-64D “Apache Longbow” to operate more efficiently at night. However, Indian experts noted that the Apache design had exhausted its reserves for modernization, and its flight performance characteristics (static and dynamic ceiling) were inferior Russian helicopter, just starting his battle path.

More recently, in 2002, the Mi-35 (an export version of the Mi-24 with modern avionics) of the DPRK Air Force was "banged" from an ambush by a South Korean Apache. South Korea acknowledged the loss and demanded that the United States conduct a free (!) Modernization of the entire fleet of its Apaches to the Longbow version. They are still judging.

1st place - Black Hawk

Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk" - multi-purpose helicopter
First flight - 1974
Built - 3000 units
Carrying capacity: 1500 kg of cargo and various equipment inside the cargo compartment or up to 4 tons on an external sling. The landing version takes on board 14 fighters.
Combat load of shock vehicles: 2 machine guns, 4 suspension points. The standard weapon system is NURSs, anti-tank Hellfires, containers with 30 mm guns. Naval versions are armed with 324 mm torpedoes and AGM-119 “Penguin” anti-ship missiles.

Without any exaggeration, the Black Hawk is a helicopter of the 21st century, despite the fact that it was created 40 years ago. Multipurpose army helicopter was intended to replace the Iroquois, while its naval version, the Sea Hawk, was being developed in parallel. The result was a universal platform for all branches of the military, and in terms of the totality of characteristics - the best helicopter in the world.
In addition to the basic UH-60 land version, there are 2 anti-submarine versions SH-60B “Sea Hawk” and SH-60F “Ocean Hawk” (equipped with a magnetometer and a descending sonar station), a helicopter HH-60 “Rescue Hawk” for combat search and rescue and special operations, as well as a line of MH-60 "Knighthawk" models, including carrier-based helicopters, fire support helicopters, special operations vehicles, ambulance versions, jammers, etc. Sometimes they are used as staff helicopters for high-ranking officials and generals. Actively exported.


good appliances

The Black Hawk is saturated to the limit with high-tech equipment, which places high demands on the maintenance personnel and does not allow it to be stored outside the hangar for a long time.
The military plans to make the MH-60 a single type of helicopter for all branches of the military and fleet, which should radically reduce costs and simplify maintenance. With his appearance, he replaced the army "Iroquois" and the sea "Seasprite". Now the Black Hawk is successfully duplicating the tasks of transport helicopters and fire support helicopters, replacing the MH-53 sea minesweepers and SH-3 “Sea King” heavy helicopters.

Conclusion

There are exactly 10 places in the top ten. But why didn’t the iconic Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter make it into the rating? Do American experts not even suspect the existence of this machine. Despite the excellent flight characteristics and unsurpassed maneuverability, only 15 Sharks were produced, the Ka-50 never went beyond the experimental machine. The American AH-56 Cheyenne, an infernal rotorcraft, did not make it into the rating, compared to which all existing Cobras and Apaches are ugly ducklings. On tests, the car showed a speed of more than 400 km / h! Alas, only 10 Cheyennes were produced and the helicopter never hit the troops.
It remains only to summarize - the advanced design and excellent flight performance characteristics do not make the car the best yet. Much more important is its mass appearance in the troops (which allows you to quickly test the car in all modes and cure "childhood diseases" that any design suffers from) and the correct tactics of use.

Until recently, there was army aviation. Today, it is not only developing in numerous directions, but there is also a declaration on its transformation into the main strike force from the means of supporting the Ground Forces. A striking example of such a transformation was the creation and introduction of the newest attack helicopter Caic WZ 10 into the troops. The letters WZ stand for Wuzhuang Zhishengji, which literally means "armed helicopter".

The history of the creation of the WZ-10 helicopter

Caic wz 10 is a Chinese attack helicopter, which was adopted by the Chinese army in February 2011. The official version of China says that the caic wz 10 is its own development, but the helicopter was developed with the participation of Russian specialists. The attack helicopter wz 10 was built according to project 941, which was developed in 1995 by Russia.

The design of the helicopter was carried out at the Kamov Design Bureau by order of the Chinese government in accordance with the requirements for which the aircraft must have a mass of six tons, as well as other flight characteristics. The participation of Russian specialists in the creation of the WZ-10 was limited only to the design of the machine. China independently built all flight prototypes for testing, as well as production vehicles. Specialists from the Middle Kingdom themselves finalized the project.

The first helicopter flight took place in 2003. Production began in 2010, and the WZ-10 entered service with the PLA in February 2011.

Technical characteristics of the helicopter WZ-10

The Caic WZ 10 helicopter has the following specifications:

  • The crew consists of 2 people: weapons operator and pilot.
  • The fuselage length is 14.5 m.
  • The main rotor diameter is 13 m.
  • The empty weight of the helicopter is 5540 kg.
  • The curb weight of the helicopter is 7000 kg.
  • The maximum takeoff weight is 8000 kg.
  • The power plant consists of 2 Zhuzhou WZ-9 turboshaft engines.
  • Engine power is 2 × 1285 hp. With.
  • Top speed is 300+ km/h.
  • Cruise speed is 270+ km/h.
  • The practical ceiling is 6400 m.

Armament:

  • Small arms and cannon armament includes a 1 × 23-mm cannon.
  • 4 suspension points.
  • guided missiles:
    • unguided rockets include 4 blocks of caliber 90 mm or 57 mm;
    • air-to-air missiles include the TY-90;
    • air-to-ground missiles include up to 8 × ATGM HJ-10 Red Arrow.

Design features of the WZ-10 helicopter

  1. The helicopter was created according to the classic single-rotor scheme with a tail wheel and a retractable tricycle landing gear. The narrow fuselage, which is trapezoidal in cross section, is made using composite materials and is also equipped with a short wing.
  2. The crew is located in tandem. The glazing and cockpit of the helicopter are armored. For safety during an emergency landing, the landing gear is made energy-absorbing and non-retractable. The onboard equipment of the pilots follows the principle of a glass cockpit, for which large MFIs are installed. The seats of the crew members and the fuselage are made taking into account the possibility of a relatively rough emergency landing.
  3. Caic WZ 10 is equipped with 2 turboshaft engines. Measures are being taken to reduce IR visibility. The blades are made of composite materials, and the main rotor consists of 4 blades.
  4. The helicopter control system is electrically remote.
  5. The body of the WZ-10 is made using stealth technology.
  6. The armament of the helicopter includes an OPS, which is located in the bow, as well as a controlled rotary gun of 23-mm caliber. Guided missiles are mounted on 4 wing suspension points.

In 2012 there was a "Motor" scandal. The US authorities have fined United Technologies, one of America's largest financial and industrial groups, $75 million for supplying engines to China illegally. The engines were intended for WZ-10 helicopters. The engines were produced by the American company Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of United Technologies. It has been selling engines to China for passenger and civil transport helicopters for many years.

The engines that were supplied for the WZ-10 differed from civilian versions only in software. As a result, China had to abandon the PT6C-76C engines that were on the first prototypes. Production cars began to be equipped with less powerful WZ-9 engines made in China.

China has long claimed that the Caic WZ 10 is a completely Chinese development. However, in 2013, Sergey Mikheev, General Designer of Kamov OJSC, at the Heli-Expo exhibition announced that the helicopter was created on the basis of the draft design "941" and this information was kept secret for quite a long time.

Video about the Chinese helicopter WZ-10

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