Attack helicopter: Difference between revisions
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An '''attack helicopter''' is purpose-built for missions where it will deliver firepower, either in conjunction with [[armed helicopter]]s and unarmed cargo helicopters, or on independent missions of [[close air support]] or [[battlefield air interdiction]]. A representative attack helicopter is the U.S. Army's [[AH-64 Apache]]. As are all helicopters, it is capable of [[vertical takeoff and landing]] (VTOL), so it can operate from any flat open area near ground troops. | {{main|air assault}} | ||
{{main|helicopter}} | |||
An '''attack helicopter''' is purpose-built for missions where it will deliver firepower, either in conjunction with [[armed helicopter]]s and unarmed cargo helicopters, or on independent missions of [[close air support]] or [[battlefield air interdiction]]. In the U.S. Army, helicopters are under the [[Army aviation]] branch. A representative attack helicopter is the U.S. Army's [[AH-64 Apache]]. As are all helicopters, it is capable of [[vertical takeoff and landing]] (VTOL), so it can operate from any flat open area near ground troops. | |||
[[Armed helicopter]]s rarely carry weapons heavier than light machine guns and possibly small pods for [[unguided rockets]]. Attack helicopters carry heavy armament such as heavy [[machine gun]]s, [[autocannon]] and [[machine-gun]] fire, [[unguided rocket]]s, and [[air-to-surface missile]]s such as the U.S. [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire]] or Russian [[AT-6 SPIRAL]]. | [[Armed helicopter]]s rarely carry weapons heavier than light machine guns and possibly small pods for [[unguided rockets]]. Attack helicopters carry heavy armament such as heavy [[machine gun]]s, [[autocannon]] and [[machine-gun]] fire, [[unguided rocket]]s, and [[air-to-surface missile]]s such as the U.S. [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire]] or Russian [[AT-6 SPIRAL]]. | ||
Many attack helicopters are also capable of carrying [[air to air missile]]s, though mostly for purposes of self-defense. These missiles are usually modifications of [[man-portable air defense system]] (MANPADS) [[surface-to-air missile]]s such as the U.S. [[FIM-92 Stinger]]. | Many attack helicopters are also capable of carrying [[air to air missile]]s, though mostly for purposes of self-defense. These missiles are usually modifications of [[man-portable air defense system]] (MANPADS) [[surface-to-air missile]]s such as the U.S. [[FIM-92 Stinger]]. | ||
Attack helicopters do not usually have the space or mounting hardware to drop [[gravity bomb]]s, an unusual role sometimes carried out by [[armed helicopters#Bombing from helicopters|Bombing from helicopters]] | |||
==Vietnam beginnings== | |||
The [[AH-1 Cobra]], complementing [[UH-1]] [[armed helicopter]]s was apt to have a chin turret with two 7.62mm rotating barrel "minigun" 7.62 mm [[machine gun]]s, two 40mm [[grenade#automatic grenade launcher|automatic grenade launcher]]s, or one of each. Some had 20mm [[autocannon]] in turrets. It was more likely to carry the M200 launchers for 19 of the 2.75" rockets, rather than 7-round M-178s. There were many field modifications. Current attack helicopters also fire guided missiles, typically [[anti-tank missile]]s that also can be used against buildings, but also light antiaircraft missiles such as the Stinger. | |||
As an example of the conflicting demands on a pure attack design, the current U.S. [[AH-64 Apache]] is a purpose-built attack helicopter with a seat for a pilot and a seat for a gunner, but when another crew went down and was likely to meet with some very nasty people, someone came up with the idea of opening the ammunition supply doors on the side of the fuselage, using them as crude seats with rescued personnel desperately hanging on outside the helicopter. That still-desperate measure is now a standard, so there are 3 seat belts on the ammunition doors on both sides. | |||
==Modern roles== | ==Modern roles== | ||
Today's attack helicopter has two main roles: first, to provide direct and accurate [[close air support]] for ground troops, and the second, in the [[Anti tank#Helicopters|anti tank]] role to destroy enemy armor concentrations. Attack helicopters are also used to supplement lighter helicopters in the armed scout role. Scout helicopters may use [[laser designator]]s or other equipment to provide guidance to the heavier weapons fired from the attack helicopters. fter Vietnam, and especially into the 1990s, US Army, and some Soviet, attack helicopters became more and more optimized for the antitank mission.<ref name = USACGSC-Mazarella-1994>{{cite paper | Today's attack helicopter has two main roles: first, to provide direct and accurate [[close air support]] for ground troops, and the second, in the [[Anti tank#Helicopters|anti tank]] role to destroy enemy armor concentrations. Attack helicopters are also used to supplement lighter helicopters in the armed scout role. Scout helicopters may use [[laser designator]]s or other equipment to provide guidance to the heavier weapons fired from the attack helicopters. fter Vietnam, and especially into the 1990s, US Army, and some Soviet, attack helicopters became more and more optimized for the antitank mission.<ref name = USACGSC-Mazarella-1994>{{cite paper | ||
| Line 12: | Line 21: | ||
| date = 1994 | | date = 1994 | ||
| url =http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/p4013coll2&CISOPTR=1135&filename=1136.pdf#search=%222007%22 | | url =http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/p4013coll2&CISOPTR=1135&filename=1136.pdf#search=%222007%22 | ||
}}</ref> | |||
==Special operations== | |||
In special operations, either regular land-orient attack helicopters may be guided by special operations helicopters with superior sensors, and there are some purpose-built attack helicopters with unusual flexibility. | |||
===Gulf War=== | |||
In some special operations missions, a large, usually armed rather than attack, helicopter with extensive electronics may navigate for a formation of lighter armed helicopters. An example of this was having [[United States Air Force]] [[MH-53 PAVE LOW]] helicopters guide Army Apache attack helicopters to the first targets hit in the [[Gulf War]], early warning radars on the Saudi-Iraqi border. | In some special operations missions, a large, usually armed rather than attack, helicopter with extensive electronics may navigate for a formation of lighter armed helicopters. An example of this was having [[United States Air Force]] [[MH-53 PAVE LOW]] helicopters guide Army Apache attack helicopters to the first targets hit in the [[Gulf War]], early warning radars on the Saudi-Iraqi border. | ||
===160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment=== | |||
For urban operations and other cases requiring small size and great flexibility, the U.S. [[Army Special Operations Command]]'s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has used both [[MH-6]] light assault transport helicopters, and a series of [[AH-6]] attack helicopters using different airframes. Weapons available to the current AH-6 include armed with two seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers and two 7.62mm M134 "miniguns" as the basic configuration, but also .50 Cal. machine guns, MK19 40mm automatic grenade launcher, [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] [[air-to-surface missile]]s, and Air-to-Air [[FIM-92 Stinger]] (ATAS) missiles.<ref name=FAS-H6>{{citation | |||
| title = OH-6A Cayuse/AH-6J Little Bird/Defender 500 | |||
| journal = Federation of American Scientists | |||
| url = http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/oh-6.htm}}</ref> | |||
Many of their operations remain classified, but they have been observed in Panama and Somalia. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
Revision as of 13:55, 14 August 2008
An attack helicopter is purpose-built for missions where it will deliver firepower, either in conjunction with armed helicopters and unarmed cargo helicopters, or on independent missions of close air support or battlefield air interdiction. In the U.S. Army, helicopters are under the Army aviation branch. A representative attack helicopter is the U.S. Army's AH-64 Apache. As are all helicopters, it is capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), so it can operate from any flat open area near ground troops.
Armed helicopters rarely carry weapons heavier than light machine guns and possibly small pods for unguided rockets. Attack helicopters carry heavy armament such as heavy machine guns, autocannon and machine-gun fire, unguided rockets, and air-to-surface missiles such as the U.S. Hellfire or Russian AT-6 SPIRAL.
Many attack helicopters are also capable of carrying air to air missiles, though mostly for purposes of self-defense. These missiles are usually modifications of man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) surface-to-air missiles such as the U.S. FIM-92 Stinger.
Attack helicopters do not usually have the space or mounting hardware to drop gravity bombs, an unusual role sometimes carried out by Bombing from helicopters
Vietnam beginnings
The AH-1 Cobra, complementing UH-1 armed helicopters was apt to have a chin turret with two 7.62mm rotating barrel "minigun" 7.62 mm machine guns, two 40mm automatic grenade launchers, or one of each. Some had 20mm autocannon in turrets. It was more likely to carry the M200 launchers for 19 of the 2.75" rockets, rather than 7-round M-178s. There were many field modifications. Current attack helicopters also fire guided missiles, typically anti-tank missiles that also can be used against buildings, but also light antiaircraft missiles such as the Stinger.
As an example of the conflicting demands on a pure attack design, the current U.S. AH-64 Apache is a purpose-built attack helicopter with a seat for a pilot and a seat for a gunner, but when another crew went down and was likely to meet with some very nasty people, someone came up with the idea of opening the ammunition supply doors on the side of the fuselage, using them as crude seats with rescued personnel desperately hanging on outside the helicopter. That still-desperate measure is now a standard, so there are 3 seat belts on the ammunition doors on both sides.
Modern roles
Today's attack helicopter has two main roles: first, to provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops, and the second, in the anti tank role to destroy enemy armor concentrations. Attack helicopters are also used to supplement lighter helicopters in the armed scout role. Scout helicopters may use laser designators or other equipment to provide guidance to the heavier weapons fired from the attack helicopters. fter Vietnam, and especially into the 1990s, US Army, and some Soviet, attack helicopters became more and more optimized for the antitank mission.[1]
Special operations
In special operations, either regular land-orient attack helicopters may be guided by special operations helicopters with superior sensors, and there are some purpose-built attack helicopters with unusual flexibility.
Gulf War
In some special operations missions, a large, usually armed rather than attack, helicopter with extensive electronics may navigate for a formation of lighter armed helicopters. An example of this was having United States Air Force MH-53 PAVE LOW helicopters guide Army Apache attack helicopters to the first targets hit in the Gulf War, early warning radars on the Saudi-Iraqi border.
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
For urban operations and other cases requiring small size and great flexibility, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has used both MH-6 light assault transport helicopters, and a series of AH-6 attack helicopters using different airframes. Weapons available to the current AH-6 include armed with two seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers and two 7.62mm M134 "miniguns" as the basic configuration, but also .50 Cal. machine guns, MK19 40mm automatic grenade launcher, AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, and Air-to-Air FIM-92 Stinger (ATAS) missiles.[2]
Many of their operations remain classified, but they have been observed in Panama and Somalia.
References
- ↑ Mazarella, Mark N (1994). Adequacy of U.S. Army Attack Helicopter Doctrine to Support the Scope of Attack Helicopter Operations in a Multi-Polar World. U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
- ↑ "OH-6A Cayuse/AH-6J Little Bird/Defender 500", Federation of American Scientists