Reconnaissance promises heavy rainfall in the form of rocket and cannon fire. Today the helicopter is one of the most versatile and important combat vehicles capable of performing a wide range of tactical missions. A rare ground operation does without a well-organized air cover, which is also provided by attack helicopters. Several dozen models exist and are used today. However, we will only talk about the best and most popular.
1. Bell AH-1Z Viper - USA
The helicopter of the US Marine Corps, which is a direct descendant of the Bell AH-1 Super Cobra, the same helicopter that was created for the Vietnam War. The vehicle is armed with one three-barreled automatic cannon, and also has 6 suspensions for rocket armament. At its peak, the Viper can accelerate to 411 km / h. The cost of one such helicopter is $ 31 million. A total of 52 similar machines were produced in the USA.
2. Mi-24 - USSR / Russia
A Soviet helicopter that needs no extra introduction. The first full-fledged Soviet attack helicopter, which was created as a response to the growing popularity of combat helicopters in the world (at first in the USSR, helicopters were assigned exclusively to an amphibious transport role). The Mi-24 has 2 slots for machine gun and cannon armament, as well as 6 suspension points for missile and bomb. The maximum travel speed is 335 km / h. In total, about 3.5 thousand of these helicopters were produced.
3. Eurocopter Tiger - France and Germany
A Franco-German attack helicopter worth $ 39 million. It was created for the countries of Europe, as well as for the states of the British Commonwealth of Nations (Great Britain, its former colonies, protectorates and dominions). However, the car was not widely used. A little more than 200 of these helicopters were made in total. The maximum speed is 278 km / h. From armament: one unit of cannon-machine gun and 4 suspension for a rocket.
4. CAIC WZ-10 - China
Chinese attack helicopter, which was developed with the assistance of the Russian Kamov Design Bureau. It has been in service with the People's Liberation Army of China since 2011. How much was produced is not known, however, according to some data, in 2016, the PRC already had more than 100 such machines. The maximum speed of the helicopter reaches 300 km / h. Armament - one automatic cannon and 4 suspension points for missile weapons.
5. HAL Light Combat Helicopter - India
New Indian attack helicopter worth US $ 22 million. Until recently, flight tests of this machine continued. In 2015, the Indian Armed Forces ordered 179 of these helicopters. The maximum speed of the Indian car reaches 330 km / h at its peak. The HAL is armed with one unit of cannon and machine gun armament, and also has 4 suspension points for missile systems.
6. Harbin Z-19 - China
The younger brother of the Chinese WZ-10, which was created on the basis of its technological predecessor, the Harbin Z-9. In addition to the functions of an attack helicopter, it can perform reconnaissance missions. In this Harbin Z-19 is assisted by stealth technology. There are not so many such helicopters in service with China: about 100 units were in service as of 2016. The helicopter is armed with one automatic cannon and can also carry missile armament at 4 suspension points. The maximum speed of the "little brother" is 280 km / h.
7. Agusta A129 Mangusta - Italy
Helicopter of Italian design, the first attack helicopter, which is entirely produced in Europe. The cost of one car varies from 43 to 53 million dollars, depending on the modification. Produced "Mongoose" since 1990. A total of 75 such helicopters are in service with Italy. The A129 has two ports for small arms and four rockets and bombs. The maximum speed is 250 km / h.
8. Mi-28 - USSR / Russia
Soviet-Russian helicopter from 1982 development. More popularly known as the "Night Hunter". Today the cost of one such percussion vehicle is US $ 18 million. In addition to Russia, the helicopter was once supplied to Iraq. A total of 126 Night Hunters were produced. The maximum speed of the Mi-28 is 300 km / h. It is armed with one automatic cannon, and also has 4 hanging points for additional weapons.
9. AH-64 Apache - USA
One of the best helicopters of our time, the famous Apache, which during the Iraqi campaign once again proved that helicopters are the angels of modern warfare. The cost of one of these can reach $ 61 million. In total, the Americans have produced 1,650 of these helicopters to date. The maximum speed of the AH-64 can reach 335 km / h. From weapons: one unit of machine gun and 4 points of a hang for a missile and bomb.
10. Ka-52 - Russia
The Russian reconnaissance and attack helicopter "Alligator" has been produced to date in the amount of 170 pieces. The Ka-52 made its first flight in 1997, and was put into operation in 2011. Today it is the most advanced and most promising domestic aircraft. The maximum speed of the 52nd can reach 350 km / h. At the same time, the helicopter has two units of small arms and cannon weapons and 6 points for installing missile weapons.
If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should definitely read about Ka-52M: the formidable Alligator that makes attack aircraft unnecessary.