Top 10 Attack Helicopters In Service to-date 2022

10. Denel Rooivalk:
The South African Rooivalk is based on French Aerospatiale SA 330 Puma. As such, the design is highly dependent on French technology and spare parts.

9. CAIC Z-10:
Lighter than its contemporaries, The Chinese Z-10 was designed with input from the Russian Kamov design bureau. It is the first indigenous attack helicopter produced in China.

8. Mil Mi-24 Hind:
The recurring aerial image of Asian and African conflicts for the past 40 years, the aging design is a multifunctional platform used by countless nations and paramilitary groups. Mi-24 to helicopters is what AKM is to assault rifles.

7. Agusta A129 Mangusta:
The Italian A129 is the first attack helicopter to be manufactured in Western Europe. The lightest one among its global counterparts, the Italian design was reshaped following the end of the Cold War. As NATO did not intend to face Soviet armor onslaught anymore, the aircraft was simplified, ballistic protection lightened.

6. TAI T129 ATAK:
A Turkish modernization of the Agusta A129 Mangusta, the T129 shares only the fuselage with its Italian counterpart. The internals are proprietary Turkish technology with upgraded avionics, airframe, and weapons. Around 60 units are in service today, with the capability to build 32 more if deemed necessary. With interest from multiple nations, including Qatar, the Philippines, and Pakistan, T129 is a seemingly more successful international version of its Italian predecessor.

5. Euro copter Tiger:
A joint Franco-German development, the Tiger is the second and the most recent attack helicopter to emerge from Western Europe. With more than 180 units produced, it is the most successful and widespread European design. Employing a composite layout, 80% of the airframe is made of carbon laminates, Kevlar, and honeycomb-shaped structures. Configured with a plethora of Western missiles, rockets, and a French cannon, the Tiger is employed by German, French, Spanish, and Australian forces.

4. Bell AH-1Z Viper:
The American Viper is a third-generation descendant of the venerable Bell AH-1 Cobra, the predecessor of all modern attack helicopters. The US Marines Corps’ asset traces its lineage back to 1965. The latest model in the class-defining design, the Viper proves to be a competent and long-lasting platform. Introduced in 2010, the Marines are planning to employ 189 Vipers. With fresh orders from Bahrain and the Czech Republic, the platform keeps the momentum in its favor 55 years on.

3. Mil Mi-28NM Havoc:
The newest Russian attack helicopter is supplementing the iconic Mi-24 and the unique Ka-50 series. With exceptionally long development time, from the first flight to introduction having passed 27 years, the Havoc has finally shaped itself into an all-around efficient design. It is primarily known for its armor, with windshields withstanding a hit from 14.5×114mm cartridges.


2. Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B:
Probably the most unique attack helicopter in service today, the Ka-52 is a wildly unconventional design, with tandem side-by-side seating, ejection seats, dual contra-rotating main rotors, and no tail blades. It is one of the most maneuverable helicopters of any kind in the world today. With an advanced battlefield management system, the Ka-52 can serve a command and control role for a larger helicopter group of Mi-24s and Mi-28s as a target detector and designator.

1. AH-64E Apache Guardian:
The US Army’s workhorse, the Apache is the most numerous and widespread attack helicopter of the Western world and its allies. As of 2020, over 2400 were built for the US and its partners, including Israel, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and others. The most experienced and proven Western war fighter in its category today, the Apache has seen action in every major American and NATO conflict since its introduction. The holy trinity of trusty offenses: Hellfire missiles, M320 chain gun with 1200 rounds of 30 mm ammunition and Hydra rockets – a highly reliable and successful platform, the Apache is here to stay at least until 2048.

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