The World's Most Sophisticated Combat Helicopter

Helicopter is one of the most widely used transportation vehicles today. This is because the air vehicle has a special advantage that is not owned by another vehicle that is its ability to hit all the terrain and also its speed. In addition, this air vehicle also does not require a large area to land and take off. Helicopters are therefore often used when carrying out rescue operations into heavily and desolate terrain.
However, although now more widely used as a transport vehicle in rescue operations, in its history Helicopters are actually more often used as a combat vehicle in various wars. So no wonder if in the world today there are more than 27 types of Combat Helicopters. These helicopters are deliberately designed with complete weaponry and also the latest technology in the world in order to be used in war. But among all these combat helicopters, which one can best be called the most sophisticated of its time. This is the information I will share this time with some basic categories such as Current Performance, Speed, Capability and Armament.

1.Mil Mi-24 Hind - Russia

Mil Mi-24 can be considered as the first generation of combat helicopter that has brought a fairly modern system. Heli with a carrying capacity of 8 people is equipped with 23mm twin machine gun and also a skipion 9M17P anti-tank missile launcher (AT-2 Swatter) and 9M114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral). With this row of combat weapons, until now Mi-24 is still the most famous combat helicopter in the world and still used by around 50 air entities around the world.

Another advantage of the Mi-24 is also located at the speed that can reach 335 km per hour. This figure is quite good considering the size of the Mi-24 is quite large. Heli is also priced at a fairly cheap price, ranging from 10-12 million dollars. A number that is quite reasonable and in accordance with the cash from some countries in the world, when compared with the features offered.

2.Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache - United States


Although it looks small, but do not underestimate the simple look of Boeing AH-64 Apache. Because American-made helicopter is known as the owner of the most advanced armored anti-tank weaponry during the Gulf war. This identical dark helicopter is even called the ruler of the sky during the Gulf War that lasted from 1990-1991.
First made and aired in 1981, the AH-64 Apache is equipped with an M230 cannon and carries 16 ruda anti-tank AGM-114L Hellfire 2, 4 Stinger missiles, Mistral for 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder air missiles or 2 missiles anti-radar AGM-122 Sidearm and 19-shot Hydra 70 rocket shells. Until now AH-64E Apache is still used by some countries as their combat helicopter and is also still being produced with the latest version launched in 2012 with AH- 64D Block III or commonly also called AH-64E Apache Guardian.

3.Agusta A129 Mangusta - Italy

Beginning designed in 1978m Agusta A129 Mangusta, is the first Combat Helicopter made by the country of origin of Western Europe. In its time this helicopter is the most sophisticated and futuristic with unique cockpit design where both pilots are ruked in a row. This is done to make the visibility of these two pilots the same. The function of these two pilots is different where one is in charge of controlling the helicopter while the other operates the weapon.
Similarly to other combat helicopter Agusta A129 Mangusta, it is also a specially designed Heli as an armored anti-tank weapon. However, this Italian-made Heli has the advantage of having one barrel of 20-mm cannon that can be connected with a 12.7-mm machine gun. The A129 can also carry 8 TOW-2A anti-tank missiles, 50 Medusa 70-mm or 81-mm rockets that make this Helicopter very tactical in the field.

4.Denel AH-2 Rooivalk - South Africa

Created by the South African Denel Aviation company, AH-2 Rooivalk, is a new generation of combat helicopter built on the Puma Helicopter. The helicopter itself was an ambitious project of the South African government in 1999 in order to strengthen their country's military defense system. While Rooviak own name taken from the name of a falcon in Africa.

The advantages of AH-2 Rooivalk sebdiri lies in its ability to change weapons according to existing needs. The helicopter can carry weapons like a 20-mm Armscor cannon, 4 x 4 rocket launcher for TOW and also a Denel ZT-6 Mokopa anti-tank missile when it comes to heavy weapons. While the normal condition of AH-2 Rooivalk will only carry a 70-mm rocket launcher.

5.CAIC Z-10 - China

CAIC Z-10 or commonly known as WZ-10 is a Chinese-made combat helicopter specially designed as an anti-tank weapon. WZ itself is a shorthand word from Wuzhuang Zhishengji which is literally interpreted as Armed Helicopter. WZ-10 is a long-term project of the Chinese government that has been in the beginning since the 1970s, but only officially entered the stage of serious development in 1998.

WZ-10 is often likened to Rooivalk AH-2 and A-129 Mangusta which are considered merupkan helicopter fighter in the same class. This helicopter has a sleek design so it is very easy to maneuver in an area that is not so wide. Similar to Rooivalk AH-2 and A-129 Mangusta, the WZ-10 is also designed with double-deckered cockpit. As for the weapon, WZ-10 is equipped with a 30-mm cannon and anti-tank missile launcher HJ-9 or HJ-10. In addition to these two weapons, the WZ-10 juda is equipped with TY-90 missiles for air raids as well as ordinary rocket casings, as a fixture to overcome enemies in the air.

6.Eurocopter Tiger - France & Germany

Built by two major European countries namely Germany and France, Eurocopter Tiger is one of the most sophisticated combat helicopters available today. First officially served in 2003, Eurocopter Tiger is a dual engine helicopter with four blades propelled by European aerospace DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Germany), Aerospatiale Matra (France) and CASA (Spain). The ingredients are not arbitrary because the whole body of Eurocopter Tiger is made with a material consisting of 80% carbon fiber reinforced with polymer and Kevlar, 11% aluminum, and 6% titanium which makes this Heli body very strong and resilient.
As for the armor of the Eurocopter Tiger is also unmitigated with a series of advanced weapons installed including a 30-mm cannon and carrying 8 anti-tank missiles HOT 2, HOT 3 or Trigat 2, as many as 4 short-air air-to-air missiles Stinger 2 or Mistral, plus a 68 x 68-mm rocket and a 12.7 mm machine gun. With such a complicated weapon it is not wrong if many European countries are like Germany, France and Spain using Eurocopter Tiger, as a combat helicopter for their armed militaries.

Reference:
https://www.wonderslist.com/top-10-advanced-attack-helicopters/

https://www.military-today.com/helicopters/top_9_attack_helicopters.htm