Attack helicopter

An attack helicopter is an armed helicopter built to attack enemies from the air. It is designed to hit targets on the ground, such as enemy soldiers, vehicles, and strong points. Because it carries many weapons, it is sometimes called a helicopter gunship.

Attack helicopters can carry many types of weapons, including autocannons, machine guns, rockets, and anti-tank missiles like the AGM-114 Hellfire. Some can also carry missiles to defend themselves against other helicopters or small airplanes.

Modern attack helicopters have two main jobs. First, they give close help to soldiers fighting on the ground. Second, they destroy groups of enemy tanks and armored vehicles. They are also used to protect helicopters that carry troops or to watch for enemies while fighting. In battles, an attack helicopter can destroy targets worth much more than its own cost before it might be lost.

Development

Background

In the early 1940s, some small airplanes were used to attack enemy forces at night, especially during World War II. These planes were slow and not very powerful, but they could carry weapons. After the war, militaries began using helicopters more often for moving troops and supplies. By the 1950s and 1960s, these helicopters were equipped with weapons too, allowing them to fight in battles.

Over time, countries developed special attack helicopters that were faster, better armored, and carried more powerful weapons. These helicopters could move quickly on the battlefield, hide behind cover, and strike enemy targets surprise. They became important tools in modern warfare, especially against tanks and other armored vehicles.

United States

In the 1950s, tests showed that small weapons could be fired from helicopters. Later, the U.S. Army wanted a better attack helicopter that could handle heavier enemy fire. This led to the development of the AH-1 Cobra in the 1960s, which was used in the Vietnam War. In the 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. developed the AH-64 Apache, which had more advanced weapons and could operate in all weather conditions. Today, attack helicopters are used for many roles, including close support for troops and special operations missions.

Soviet Union and its successor states

In the 1960s, the Soviet Union began developing attack helicopters to support ground troops. The Mil Mi-24, first flown in 1969, became a key aircraft for the Soviet Army. Later, the Mil Mi-28 was developed as a faster, more advanced attack helicopter. After the Soviet Union broke up, Russia continued to use and upgrade these helicopters. The Mil Mi-28N became a standard attack helicopter in the Russian Army in the early 2000s.

China

In the 1980s, China decided it needed its own attack helicopters. They studied foreign models but eventually developed the Z-10, which began test flights in the early 2000s and entered service around 2010. The Z-10 was designed to work in high-altitude conditions and carry powerful weapons.

Italy

In the 1970s, Italy developed the Agusta A129 Mangusta, one of the first attack helicopters in Europe. It had advanced computer systems to help the crew manage weapons and flight. Later, Turkey bought a version of this helicopter called the T129 ATAK.

France, Germany and Spain

France and Germany worked together to develop the Tiger helicopter in the 1980s and 1990s. This helicopter was designed to perform many roles, including attacking enemy tanks. The first Tiger helicopters were delivered to the French and German armies in 2005.

South Africa

South Africa developed the Rooivalk attack helicopter in the 1980s and 1990s. It was based on an older French helicopter but upgraded with new weapons and systems. The first Rooivalk helicopters entered service in the early 2010s after being upgraded with better targeting systems.

India

India uses the Mil Mi-35 and the HAL Rudra attack helicopters. In the late 1990s, India began developing its own attack helicopters to work in high mountains. The HAL Prachand, introduced in 2020, is a new attack helicopter designed for these conditions. It was handed over to the Indian Armed forces by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Operations

The 1980s Iran–Iraq War featured many helicopters in combat, including exciting battles between Iranian and Iraqi helicopters. Iranian helicopters worked with planes to stop Iraqi forces.

In the 1990s, the U.S. used attack helicopters called Apaches in the Gulf War. These helicopters were very effective, destroying enemy vehicles and supporting soldiers on the ground. They were also used in more recent conflicts, like in Libya in 2011, where they helped protect people and stop enemy forces. In 2013, South African attack helicopters supported United Nations forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, helping to push back rebel groups.