Helicopters top 10. The best attack helicopters in the world

The list included 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 collected information about the main bladed “death machines”, which to this day can be seen in reports from “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, and it can reach speeds of up to 278 km/h. It is typically equipped with three 20 mm Lockheed Martin cannons, as well as eight air-to-ground, air-to-air missiles and several dozen unguided missiles. It is in service with the Italian and Turkish Air Forces.

9th place. Mi-24 "Crocodile"

8th place. CAIC WZ-10

Chinese helicopter developed on the basis of a Russian design. The crew is located in tandem, which is not the case in any other combat vehicle. Used primarily as an anti-tank helicopter. Due to its 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 projectiles. It is in service with the Chinese 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 reaches speeds of up to 300 km/h, and there are no seats for passengers; only the pilot and weapons systems operator can 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 a Franco-German consortium based on three principles: “Should not be visible to enemies,” “If spotted, it should not be hit,” “If hit, it should remain in the air.” The combat vehicle is equipped modern systems reducing visibility, detecting and countering air defense and “survivability”. The latter provides for massive armor. Equipped with a 30mm cannon, a variety of missiles and 12.7mm machine guns as secondary weapons. 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 US-designed attack helicopter features state-of-the-art main and tail rotors and avionics. It also works flawlessly in bad weather conditions and at night. Mainly used by the US Navy. Speed ​​is important in naval battles, which is why the Viper is one of the fastest combat vehicles, reaching speeds of up to 410 km/h. Armed with a 20 mm triple-barreled cannon, a large number of air-to-ground missiles and other projectiles. It is also possible to install 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 plant. It's maneuverable fighting machine, capable of performing many figures aerobatics. It can fly forward at speeds of up to 325 km/h, and its lateral speed is 100 km/h. The helicopter copes well with tasks in any weather. Armed with a 30 mm cannon, several types of missiles, and can also transport small cargo for staging minefields. It is in service with the Air Forces of Algeria, Iraq and.

Photo: Yevgeny Volkov

2nd place. Ka-52 "Alligator"

"Alligator" is a new generation heavily armed reconnaissance helicopter. It reaches a good speed of 330 km/h, but this combat vehicle 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 is equipped with a 30 mm cannon and several different missiles. Interestingly, both the crew commander and the weapons system operator can control the helicopter.

Helicopter - today it is the most effective remedy, used for material technical support, in military operations and rescue operations. From the first in World War II through the Vietnam War to the present day, the best helicopters have helped change the course of events on the battlefield. Here are the top ten combat helicopters in the world. Each is characterized by features of electronic equipment, speed characteristics, and firepower. The list of the fastest helicopters and advanced jet fighters is also of interest. This is a rating of the best combat helicopters in the world.

The Z-10 attack helicopter was introduced into service with the Chinese Army in 2008-2009. The Z-10 has the configuration of a conventional heavily armed helicopter, with a narrow fuselage and a stepped two-seat cockpit. The gunner is on the front panel and the pilot is on the rear panel. The Z-10's armament could consist of a 30 mm machine gun mount, HJ-9 anti-tank guided missiles (comparable to the TOW-2A), the newly developed HJ-10 anti-tank missiles (comparable to the AGM-114 Hellfire) and the TY-90 air-to-air missile -air". It also carries a unit of unguided aircraft missiles.

The Mi-24 is a specialized rotary-wing combat vehicle, with a cargo compartment that can accommodate eight troops. The Mi-24 became the first Russian helicopter introduced into the Russian Air Force as an attack transport. It is a close analogue of the American AH-64 Apache, but unlike this and other Western attack helicopters, it can carry up to 8 paratroopers.

8. AH-2 Rooivalk

Denel Rooivalk is a South African attack helicopter manufactured by Denel. Rooivalk means "red kestrel" in Afrikaans. In South African air forces Only 12 AH-2 Rooivalk helicopters are operational. Although the helicopter looks updated, the production uses the same engine and main rotor as the French Aerospatiale Puma helicopter.

7. AH-1W "Super Cobra"

The Bell AH-1 Super Cobra is a twin-engine superior attack helicopter descended from the US Army's AH-1 Cobra helicopter. The Cobra family includes the AH-1J Sea Cobra, the AH-1T updated Sea Cobra, and the AH-1W Super Cobra.

6. A-129/T-129 (Italy/Türkiye)

The Agusta A129 Mongoose is an Italian attack helicopter originally designed and manufactured by Agusta. It was the first attack helicopter designed and produced exclusively in Western Europe. The Agusta Westland T-129 ATAK is a modified version of the A129 produced by Turkey Aerospace Industries (TAI), in partnership with Agusta Westland.

5. AH-1Z "Viper"

Spacious. Universal. Multipurpose. The latest generation of impact technology. The Bell AH-1Z "Viper" is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W "Super Cobra" developed for the US Navy. It features four-blade propellers, a composite rotor and rudder, modern engines and an improved sighting system. The AH-1Z is part of the H-1 modernization program. It is also called "Zulu Cobra" in another variant.

4. Eurocopter Tiger

The Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter produced by the Eurocopter consortium. In Germany, France and Spain it is known as the "Tiger". It is powered by two MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft engines.

3. Mi-28H Havoc (Russia)

The Mi-28H (NATO version Havoc, translated as “devastator”) is a Russian anti-tank attack helicopter, operating in all weather conditions, at any time of day or night, two-seat. This specialized combat helicopter is better optimized and designed for combat purposes than the Mi-24. It carries a single machine gun mount in the nose, as well as additional payloads carried on pylons under the wings.

2. Kamov KA-50/KA-52

Ka-50 "Black Shark" - single-seat attack Russian helicopter, with a distinctive coaxial rotor system created by the Kamov Design Bureau. It was developed in the 80s. and adapted for the needs Russian army in 1995, the Ka-50 was designed to be compact and fast to minimize the risk of death. Due to its small mass and size (due to which it developed high speed and maneuverability) it became the only helicopter controlled by only one pilot. The Russian Ka-50 can carry 24 missiles, 4 missile pods. The Hokum can also carry AA-11/R-73 Archer air-to-air missiles, making it a worthy opponent to other attack helicopters. It is also equipped with a 2A42 30mm combat cannon. The maximum speed of the Ka-50 Hokum reaches 350 km per hour, and the combat radius is 250 km.

1. AH-64D Apache Long Bow

The best combat helicopter in the world. The Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was known as a powerful anti-tank helicopter in the Gulf War. Designed to carry out military missions day or night, in adverse weather conditions, the Apache was created to meet the demanding requirements of plans to create advanced attack helicopters for the US Army. The helicopter is equipped the latest level electronics and fire control system, has unique firepower. The Apache can be equipped with 16 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, air missiles 76 70 mm, in combination with the M 230 automatic cannon.

Rotorcraft have become widespread nowadays. Combat helicopters that took part in military operations for the first time since Korean War, significantly influenced battle tactics. Thus, all armies of developed countries began to use helicopters. This universal equipment is also capable of transporting cargo for various purposes, taking part in search and rescue and reconnaissance operations, and providing fire support for infantry.

The best helicopter in our understanding is a perfect aircraft capable of successfully performing its assigned tasks in different conditions at the limit of its capabilities. The ranking of the best helicopters in the world includes only military aircraft that have undergone rigorous testing in hot spots.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the ten best helicopters

10th place – Mi-26

• Soviet heavy transport helicopter.
• First flown in 1977.
• 310 units produced.
• Loading capacity – 80 paratroopers or 20 tons of cargo.

This helicopter is the largest in size in the world. Achieving unique capabilities required the use of original technical solutions. The vehicle was equipped with an eight-blade main rotor, a multi-threaded power transmission, and three video cameras for monitoring the cargo placed on the external sling. The helicopter was used during the liquidation of the consequences of the accident at Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It was used for the installation of a shelter, specially reinforced with a thick layer of lead radio protection. After the operation, all Mi-26s were buried in the Chernobyl 30-kilometer zone.

9th place – Westland Lynx

• English multi-purpose helicopter.
• First flown in 1971.
• 400 units produced.
• Capable of carrying 10 paratroopers and suspended weapons in the form of 4 anti-ship missiles (naval version) or 70-mm Hydra rockets, 20-mm cannons and up to 8 anti-tank missiles (land version).

The appearance of Lynx resembles a representative civil aviation, but despite this, it is one of the most common deck-based helicopters. Westland Lynx was used in the Falklands War and was very successful. Lynxes were also used in the combat zone on the Balkan Peninsula, to blockade the coast of Yugoslavia and in 1991 in Iraq, where they were used to sink landing ship, 4 border patrol boats, a T-43 minesweeper and a missile boat.
But it’s not just its military merits that make the machine unique; in 1986, the Westland Lynx set the speed record for all mass-produced helicopters, accelerating to 400 km/h.

8th place – Boeing CH-47 Chinook

• Military transport heavy helicopter with a longitudinal design.
• First flown into the sky in 1961.
• 1179 units were produced.
• Load capacity – 12 tons or up to 55 people.

An important property of the army of any country is its mobility. If you look at the transportation of military personnel, helicopters play a significant role in this process. There was especially a need for such a movement during Vietnam War – mountainous terrain and large temperature changes prevented the transfer of soldiers in any other way. The Chinook helicopter, which was created according to an original longitudinal design using two main rotors, came to the rescue of the soldiers. During rescue operations in Vietnam, a record was set - 147 refugees were taken on board the helicopter. This device received the slang nickname “flying carriage”. It was not thrown onto the battlefield; the CH-47's specialty was transporting cargo from ships to land bases. An interesting fact is that during the Vietnam War, Chincoki evacuated damaged equipment totaling $3 billion.

Until now, the helicopter remains in service with many countries and is actively used.

7th place – Bell AH-1 Cobra

• Attack helicopter.
• First flown into the sky in 1965.
• 1116 copies produced.
• Equipped with the following weapons: remote-controlled installation with 2 Minigun machine guns, 70-mm NURS, air-to-air missiles, TOW anti-tank missiles.

“Cobras” are deservedly called tank hunters, which they have confirmed with successful missions to destroy enemy ground equipment in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots.

For the first time in the world, this device was initially designed as an attack helicopter. The side projections of the control cabin were protected with composite armor. The Cobra helicopter was equipped with a powerful sighting system that performed well in harsh weather conditions. The compact size of the helicopter facilitates its deployment on aircraft carriers and universal landing ships.

6th place – Mi-24

• Transport and military aircraft.
• First flown in 1969.
• More than 2000 units were produced.
• It is equipped with built-in weapons in the form of a four-barreled 12.7 mm machine gun and suspended weapons: NURS, free-falling bombs, suspended cannon containers, and an anti-missile system.
• The capacity of the troop compartment is up to 8 people.

The Americans, who managed to intercept the Mi-24, affirmatively insist that it is not a helicopter. Despite the visual similarity, if you look at the device from a technical point of view, it can be defined as a hybrid of a helicopter and an airplane. The arguments for this fact are that the Mi-24 is not capable of hovering in one place and taking off without acceleration. Large pylons act as airplane wings, creating additional takeoff force. American technicians conducted an experiment and found that up to 40% of the lifting force is created with the help of pylons placed to the sides. Also, the hybrid must be piloted using “aircraft” technology. During a decline in lift, you need to lower the nose slightly, like on an airplane.

The creation of the Mi-24 implemented the idea of ​​a “flying infantry fighting vehicle”, so it contains a powerful weapon system that is not typical for other standard helicopters. “Aircraft qualities” allowed the heavyweight Mi-24 to enter the line of the fastest military helicopters in the world (maximum speed - 320 km/h).

The helicopter took part in military conflicts in the Caucasus Mountains and the Pamirs, and became a symbol of the Afghan War.

5 -e place– Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion

• Heavy transport helicopter.
• 115 units produced.
• Load capacity - 13 tons in the cargo compartment, up to 14.5 tons on an external sling, or up to 55 paratroopers.

This helicopter is a deep modernization of the famous CH-53 Sea Steele, built to meet the needs of the US Navy. To the original design, the developers added a third engine and a seven-blade main rotor. The CH-53E helicopter was nicknamed the “hurricane maker.”

It also had a dead loop. In addition to transport missions, the flying boat was used as a minesweeper (MH-53 modification) and was used during search and rescue operations (HH-53 modification). The helicopter is equipped with an in-flight refueling system and can remain in flight for a whole day. In addition to operations on water, it was actively used in ground missions. CH-53 and CH-53E provided fire support for dismounted troops in Afghanistan and Iran.

4th place – Bell UH-1

• Multi-role combat helicopter.
• First flown in 1956.
• Over 16,000 units were produced.
• Capable of placing on board up to 14 paratroopers or 1.5 tons of cargo.

This rotorcraft became a symbol of the Vietnam War. Based on the words of the veterans, it was the Bell UH-1 that became their home. He transported soldiers from one combat position to another, supplied the military with provisions and food, provided fire support and transported the wounded. Although the combat losses of this helicopter are rather large (about 3000 units), combat use can be called successful. During the 11 years of the war, according to statistics, 36 million sorties were flown. Thus, the losses amounted to 1 helicopter per 18,000 sorties - an impressive result, especially considering the fact that this device has no armor at all.
Before the release of the Cobras, it was he who was entrusted with the task of carrying out strike operations. To do this, the vehicle was equipped with a pair of 12.7 mm machine guns and 48 unguided missiles on the suspension.
The Bell UH-1 joined the ranks of the armies of 70 countries. He is often shown in various Hollywood action films.

3rd place - Mi-8

• Multi-purpose helicopter.
• First flown in 1961.
• Over 17,000 units were produced.
• Load capacity: 24 people or 3 tons of cargo.
• In combat modifications, it was equipped with 2-3 machine guns and up to 1.5 tons of weapons on an external sling, which included free-falling bombs, unguided 57 mm caliber rockets and an anti-tank complex.

Although the helicopter was created more than half a century ago, it is still in demand, attracting buyers from all regions of the world. In total there are three dozen military and civilian modifications. It is used as a reconnaissance helicopter, minelayer, tanker, air command post and an ambulance helicopter. Civilian versions are registered with airlines and are used in agricultural work and emergency response services.
The Mi-8 helicopter has a high degree of versatility and can withstand the conditions of both frosty Siberia and the sultry Sahara. It was used in all hot spots: Afghanistan, Chechnya, the Middle East. Replace legendary helicopter nothing yet.

2nd place - Boeing AH-64 Apache

• Attack helicopter.
• First flown in 1975.
• 1174 units produced.
• Built-in weapons include a 30 mm automatic cannon. The suspended armament consists of 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, 76 NURS or missile systems Stinger for air combat.

"Apache" served as a prototype for the creation of a number of modern attack helicopters. He successfully proved himself in the famous Operation Desert Storm, successfully fighting tanks. It is in service and actively used by the Israeli Air Force.
Replace "Apache" in israeli army, most likely, will have to be the Russian Mi-28N, which has the best performance characteristics and won a tender for supply to Israel in 2011.
In 2002, a South Korean Boeing AH-64 Apache was shot down by a North Korean Mi-35. South Korea is suing the manufacturer over this issue for upgrading the entire fleet of these helicopters to the Longbow version.

1st place- Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

• Multi-purpose helicopter.
• First flown in 1974.
• 3000 units produced.
• Load capacity – 1.5 tons of cargo on board and up to 4 tons on an external sling. The landing version can accommodate up to 14 soldiers.
• Armed with two machine guns and four weapon mounting points. The weapons complex includes NURSs, containers with 30-mm cannons, and anti-tank Hellfires. Naval versions are equipped with AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship missiles and 324 mm torpedoes.

The Black Hawk can easily be called a helicopter of the 21st century. It was intended to replace the Iroquois, while a naval version was being developed in parallel. The result is a unique helicopter that is suitable for any type of military and has the best characteristics in the world.
In addition to the land version of the UH-60, there are 2 anti-submarine modifications SH-60F and SH-60B (with a sonar station and magnetometer), a modification of the HH-60, released for special combat rescue operations, many sanitary versions, jammers, etc. Sometimes it is ordered for the transfer of high-ranking officials and generals. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is actively exported to all regions of the world.

"Black Hawk" is created from durable materials and is equipped with the latest equipment, which allows for long-term storage outside the hangar.

In this article we will discuss the best combat helicopters in the world, compiling the TOP 10 most combat-ready, maneuverable and high-speed machines that have repeatedly proven their superiority on the battlefield.

Combat helicopter - aerial combat unit, which has high firepower, the main tasks of which are the destruction of ground targets and providing cover ground forces and disabling enemy armored vehicles.

Let's look at our list.

Tenth place

Our list of “The Best Helicopters in the World” opens with the first Chinese attack combat helicopter, the Z-10, which was put into service Chinese army in 2009.

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

The vehicle's cabin is represented by two stages, the first contains the gunner, and the second contains the pilot.

Ninth place

Our TOP 10 best helicopters in the world continues with the Mi-24, which is equipped with a cargo cabin that can easily accommodate eight Air Force soldiers.

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

The machine itself is universal; the helicopter can be equipped with various military weapon, it all depends on the task at hand.

The standard set of weapons is a GUV-1 machine gun mobile unit with an A-12.7 machine gun (number of rounds - 900 pieces), a S-5 NURS unit with a set of UB-32A NARs and 4 9M17 ATGMs, borrowed from the Phalanx anti-tank gun M."

Eighth place

AH-2 Rooivalk confidently takes eighth place in the list of "Best Helicopters in the World", translated from English name means "red kestrel".

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

Guns mounted on a combat vehicle:

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

Seventh place

Our top list of the best helicopters in the world continues with the American AH-1W, the so-called “Super Cobra”.

Unlike its classmates, the car has two engines with a power of 1285 kW. each, maximum - 282 km/h.

The gun mounted on the vehicle does not stand out in any way, a 20-mm cannon with a capacity of 750 rounds, air-to-ground and air-to-air. In addition to this, a complex of unguided missiles has been installed.

Sixth place

The T129/A129 helicopter, jointly created by Italy and Turkey, took sixth place in the list of “The Best Military Helicopters in the World.” It was the first combat vehicle entirely created in Western Europe.

The maximum developed speed of the vehicle is 250 km/h, the installed Royal-Royce engine, the take-off power of which is 881 hp. 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 its brothers, the vehicle 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 vehicle has good handling and is one of the first in terms of firing accuracy. The three-barreled cannon, whose caliber is 20 mm, is excellent for destroying ground targets.

In addition to conventional guided and unguided rocket launchers, cannon containers have been added to the combat arsenal. It is also possible to install 4 TOW ATGMs.

Number of engines - two, brand - 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, and China.

Fourth place

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

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

Compared to its classmates, the car has better camouflage, and the noise emitted while in motion is reduced to a minimum.

The engines installed on the attack aircraft have a power of 1303 hp. With. 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 mounting rocket launchers various types. In addition, the helicopter can be equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns; each magazine holds 250 rounds.

Third place

Opens the "Best Helicopters in the World" leaderboard Russian development Mi-28-N, which received the nickname "Devastator".

This model is an in-depth modification of the Mi-28 helicopter. The maneuverability and complexity of the aerial maneuvers performed in flight make the attack aircraft difficult to reach. For example, the so-called Immelmann rollover can be performed at a speed of 100 km/h.

All the most necessary and vital components are duplicated and located in different parts of the helicopter, which helps ensure the vehicle maximum survivability during combat operations.

The engine of the machine VK2500 has a power of 2200 hp. s., maximum speed 300 km/h.

The gun with which the helicopter is equipped 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, let's discuss the car that is in second place.

AH-64 Apache - American attack helicopter, during the conduct he proved himself only from the best side. His combat power- one of the best helicopters of all time, this model is universal in its class.

In combat conditions, being in various weather conditions, the vehicle 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 allows it to easily hit many lightly armored targets.

The engines have a power of 1890 hp. With. each, engine brand - AH-64A+/D.

First place

The Ka-50/52 is the best helicopter in the world, made in Russia. Got the nickname" Black Shark"due to its extraordinary speed of movement, threatening shape, 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 assault attack helicopter, into the creation of which a lot of effort has been invested. The main task of the designers was to develop best speed and maneuverability, the size of the helicopter in its class is the smallest, thanks to which it has the most high level camouflage and is able to quickly change its location.

The Ka-50/52 has a maximum speed of 310 km/h, which is on average 20-30 km more than the rest of the cars on our list. Engine power is 2400 hp. s., its brand is TV3-117VMA.

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

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

It is possible to carry Kh-25 (air-to-air) and R-73 (air-to-air, homing) missiles.

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

Conclusion

The list of “The Best Helicopters in the World” has ended, but we can say with confidence that our rating includes the best helicopters that have been tested by time and have been used in combat more than once.

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

Heavy helicopters are being actively created all over the world, but it is Russia that invariably leads in this area, and this could not be affected by the collapse Soviet Union, nor the efforts of overseas “colleagues” who tried to squeeze domestic producers out of the market. Aviation expert and military pilot Dmitry Drozdenko talks about the five heaviest helicopters in Russia. One of the members of the American delegation told Soviet aircraft designer Mikhail Mil: “I just can’t believe that you, Russians, have surpassed us in the production of heavy helicopters!” This happened back in the sixties in France at the Le Bourget International Air Show. By that time, many leading companies were engaged in the production of rotary-wing aircraft. aircraft manufacturing companies, whose bosses recklessly divided the sales markets. It was believed that the United States would produce at least two-thirds of all helicopters in the world. The British, French, Italians and even the Japanese were queuing up for the rest of the market share. Our country, as you understand, was not taken into account. As it turned out later, it was in vain. Mi-4. Stalin's order At the dawn of helicopter aviation, the USSR lagged behind its main geopolitical enemy, the United States. The big bosses did not really believe in rotary-wing aircraft and were skeptical about the possibility of their mass use among the troops. The successful American landing operation in Korea using Sikorsky S-55 helicopters radically changed the attitude towards them in the USSR. It changed at the highest level. Joseph Stalin demanded to “catch up and overtake” America. Soviet aircraft designers received the leader's order to make a transport helicopter in just one year. This process was personally supervised by Lavrentiy Beria. The impossible task was successfully solved by the design bureau under the leadership of Mikhail Leontievich Mil - in mid-1952, the Soviet Mi-4 helicopter took off, the cargo cabin of which could accommodate 1600 kg of cargo or 12 fully equipped paratroopers. And that was just the beginning. Mi-6. Nuclear cab driver Why were such powerful machines needed? The answer is quite simple: it was a time of missile confrontation, and a heavy transport helicopter was needed to transport Luna mobile tactical missile systems. The solid-fuel missile could be equipped with a nuclear warhead, and the giant Soviet helicopter gave the complex unprecedented mobility for those times. Mi-6 in a group with the An-12 aircraft became a transport component missile systems. And besides, such equipment gave our troops unprecedented mobility, since it could deliver not only manpower, but also light armored vehicles to almost any place on the map. The first production giant helicopter was the Mi-6. It took off in 1957, just five years after the Mi-4 took off. It was the world's first production helicopter with two free-turbine gas turbine engines. Subsequently, this arrangement became internationally recognized and is now used on almost all modern medium and heavy helicopters.
The Mi-6 was also the first in terms of strength among helicopters of that time. The helicopter lifted - just think about it! - 12 tons in a large cargo compartment and 8 tons on an external sling. The large wings with which it was equipped made it possible to significantly relieve the load on the main rotor in horizontal flight, as well as to take off with a large load, using “airplane-style takeoff.” The Mi-6 could reach speeds of up to 320 km/h and had a flight range of up to 1000 kilometers. Mi-10. Air valve A little later, the Mi-10 was developed on the basis of the Mi-6. The military purpose of this helicopter was to transport what the Mi-6 could not transport - large-sized elements of missiles, radar and much more. In 1961, this helicopter set a record - it lifted a load of 15 tons to a height of more than 2,000 meters. Mi-10 had unusual look: narrow fuselage, long, almost 4 meters, stilt-like landing gear with a cargo platform fixed between them, and the right struts were 30 centimeters shorter than the left ones. This was done so that the helicopter would simultaneously tear off all the landing gear during takeoff. One of these helicopters was modified specifically to set a cargo lifting record. This machine lifted 25 tons into the air.
In 1966 it was built new model- Mi-10K, on ​​which we tried to take into account the shortcomings of the first modification. The model had short “legs” and was equipped with a special cockpit in which the pilot-operator could control the helicopter, sitting facing the tail and looking directly at the load on the external sling. This made it possible to carry out unique installation operations using a helicopter.
But the car still had many shortcomings. The military past, increased vibration and some design flaws did not allow the Mi-10 to easily transition to civilian life, and this despite the excellent capabilities and economic effect which he gave national economy flying crane. The development of the helicopter continued for several years, and only in 1974 the Mi-10K went into production. The machine has completed many uniquely complex construction operations around the world and has been in use to this day. AT 12. Strategic "Homer" Another heavy, or more correctly, super-heavy, rotorcraft was the Mi-12, which received the name Homer according to NATO codification. The transversely spaced 35-meter propellers of the power plants belonged to the Mi-6 helicopter. In fact, there was one heavy helicopter at the ends of the giant's wings. A celestial giant with a take-off weight of 105 tons and a total power of four engines of 26,000 hp. flew surprisingly easily and quietly. There was no strong vibration inherent in large helicopters, which was a real scourge of that time. Incredible figures for that, and even for our time, the B-12 lifted more than 44 tons to a height of more than two thousand meters. No, and there is no helicopter with similar parameters expected in the world. The B-12 was supposed to work in tandem with the An-22 aircraft, ensuring the delivery of strategic missiles, so the B-12 can rightfully be called a “Strategic Helicopter”.
The helicopter's wings were special - they tapered as they approached the fuselage. In horizontal flight, the wings created additional lift and at the same time reduced the efficiency of the rotors, inhibiting the air flow from them. The narrowing of the wing made it possible to reduce this effect in the area maximum speed air flow from the propellers and gave 5 additional tons of thrust. There was a transmission inside the wing that synchronized the propellers, preventing the blades from overlapping, and allowed the helicopter to continue flying if the engine group of one of the sides failed. This design was a great know-how, and it was patented abroad.
But only two cars were built, after which the program was closed. The reason is quite simple - rockets “lost weight” and began to be placed on railway and wheeled vehicles, and silo complexes appeared. The unique rotary-wing aircraft became unnecessary for the military, and the B-12 was too expensive for civilian life. Fortunately, both machines have been preserved and can be seen at the aviation museum in Monino and at the site of the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. The invaluable experience gained during the creation of hero helicopters was not wasted. Mi-26. Raised Chinook The culmination of the line of these outstanding machines was the Mi-26, which is still in production today and is the most powerful production helicopter in the world. It may not be a match for the mighty B-12, but its ability to calmly “yank” a weight of 20 tons makes it unsurpassed in the 21st century. In 1982, the crew of test pilot G.V. Alferov on the Mi-26 lifted a load weighing 25 tons to a height of 4060 meters. The helicopter holds 14 world records.
Mi-26 is a multifunctional helicopter, without which civil and military aviation. It was this machine that extinguished the reactor in Chernobyl, it was the one that fought with natural disasters. With the help of the Mi-26, unique construction and installation operations were carried out during the preparation of the Olympics in Sochi, which made it possible to preserve the nature of Krasnaya Polyana. This case is indicative. In 2002, our civilian Mi-26s of Vertical-T airlines provided assistance to the US armed forces. Our helicopter transported a downed Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the heaviest rotorcraft, from hard-to-reach areas of Afghanistan to the American base in Bagram army aviation USA. No other car, including the famous Sikorsky CH-53, could handle this. All serial American heavy helicopters have never been able to approach the Mi-26 in their capabilities. What do they have? What is the situation with heavy helicopters abroad? The leader in this area is clearly the United States. The most powerful Western helicopter at the moment is the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, also built according to classic scheme, lifts only 16 tons into the air, and then on an external sling. The cockpit can accommodate 37 paratroopers with full gear, versus 70 of our soldiers in the Mi-26. The famous "flying car" Chinook also takes about 40 soldiers, 6.3 tons in the cabin and 10.3 on the external sling. Therefore, I don’t want to compare them, and everything is clear.
Heavenly giants from Russia Our country has amazing, invaluable experience in the field of helicopter manufacturing, and in the segment of medium and heavy transport we have no equal. This experience was acquired for a reason. There were many new and sometimes bold ideas. After all, a variety of layout solutions were worked out. There were successes, there were, like everyone else, failures. The latter did not pass without a trace, because it was thanks to them that our helicopter science went on the right way. I would like to believe that in the future we will see new flying giants from Russia. Text: Dmitry Drozdenko Photo: Alexey Ivanov TRC Zvezda / Russian Ministry of Defense / Marina Lystseva / Drozdenko
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