It took decades after the first airplanes flew before what we now think of as the modern helicopter came into existence. These aerodynamic wonders are Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL), runway-independent aircraft. Many design elements combine to create what some might deem an invaluable asset to modern militaries and life-saving practices. While the most basic designs were seen as early as 1913, what we all know today as a helicopter was not in flight until 1948, when the U.S. Military unveiled the first civil-certified helicopter, the Bell-47. Since 1948, the technology has grown by leaps and bounds, allowing helicopters to play a unique role provided by no other aircraft.
Helicopter gunships play an important role in military combat since they are sometimes equated to flying tanks with comparable firepower. They can carry troops, ordnance, and sometimes vehicles while protecting their cargo with some heavy arms. To identify gunship helicopters of the modern age, 24/7 Was St. reviewed a catalog of military helicopters from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used by militaries worldwide. These helicopters are chronological and provide additional information about their type, year introduced, country of origin, manufacturer, top speed, and armament.
Why Are We Writing About Helicopters?
Helicopters perform an important role in civilized society as a means of rapid transportation from unique spaces and places. They are often used to rescue injured hikers in deep ravines, or sailors lost at sea. If you have traveled an interstate regularly, you may have witnessed a “life-flight” after a particularly tragic vehicle accident. On the other hand, helicopters have been instrumental in combat and defense against enemies of war. It played a key role in transportation, airlifting injured, and fighting battles in Vietnam (South Vietnam lacked the infrastructure needed for appropriate ground transportation). And while the outcome was still not great, it is argued that it could have been much worse without the helicopter. “The use of helicopters in the Vietnam conflict was to change forever the American doctrine of tactical warfare.” They are also a product of a combined effort of basic aerodynamics and ever-growing and changing technology. Helicopters are an evolving piece of equipment, stream-lined to perform at its best.
Here is a look at the gunship helicopters of the modern era.
41. H-19 Chickasaw
The H-19 Chickasaw is a multirole transport utility helicopter introduced by Sikorsky Aircraft in the United States in 1950. It reached a top speed of 101 mph and carried 7.62mm medium machine guns, 12.7mm heavy machine guns, and rocket pods.
40. Mil Mi-4 (Hound)
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant manufactured the Mil Mi-4 in 1953 for the Soviet Union. It served as a multirole utility helicopter, reaching a top speed of 115 mph, and carried rocket pods and conventional drop bombs.
39. H-21 Workhorse
The United States introduced the H-21 Workhorse in 1953 as a tandem-rotor transport helicopter. Piasecki Helicopter/ Boeing manufactured it to reach a top speed of 127 mph, and it carried 12.7mm machine guns and 7.62mm machine guns.
38. H-34 / CH-34 Choctaw
The H-34 / CH-34 Choctaw is a close-support/transport helicopter introduced by Sikorsky Aircraft in the United States in 1954. It reached a top speed of 173 mph and carried 7.62mm M60C general-purpose machine guns and rocket pods.
37. Alouette II
Aerospatiale manufactured the Alouette II in 1957 for France. It served as a light utility helicopter, reaching a top speed of 115 mph, and carried anti-tank guided missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.
36. UH-1 Iroquois (Huey)
The United States introduced the UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) in 1959 as a multirole/utility/attack/transport helicopter. Bell Helicopter manufactured it to reach a top speed of 137 mph, and it carried 7.62mm machine guns, Mk 44/46 torpedoes, rocket pods, various air-to-surface missiles, various anti-tank missiles, automatic cannons, and 12.7mm GAU miniguns.
35. Alouette III
The Alouette III is a multirole helicopter introduced by Aerospatiale in France in 1960. It reached 130 mph and carried a 20mm cannon, 7.62mm machine gun, AS.11 anti-tank missiles, and Mk 44 torpedoes.
34. SH-3 Sea King
Sikorsky Aircraft manufactured the SH-3 Sea King in 1961 for the United States. It served as an anti-submarine warfare helicopter, reaching a top speed of 166 mph, and carried Mk 44 / 46 torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, depth charges, and 7.62mm machine guns.
33. UH-1B/C Huey Cobra / Frog
The United States introduced the UH-1B/C Huey Cobra / Frog in 1962 as a gunship helicopter. Bell Helicopter manufactured it to reach a top speed of 95 mph and carry .30 caliber machine guns, miniguns, rocket pods, and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
32. Model 207 (Sioux Scout)
The Model 207 (Sioux Scout) is a light-armed scout helicopter introduced by Bell Helicopter in the United States in 1963. It reached a top speed of 109 mph and carried 7.62mm M60 machine guns, SS 10 anti-tank guided missiles, and rocket pods.
31. Z-5
Harbin manufactured the Z-5 in 1965 for China. It served as a transport/utility helicopter, reaching a top speed of 130 mph, and carried machine guns, rocket pods, and machine gun pods.
30. Mil Mi-2 (Hoplite)
The Soviet Union introduced the Mil Mi-2 (Hoplite) in 1965 as a light utility helicopter. Mil Helicopter Plant manufactured it to reach a top speed of 124 mph, and it carried 23mm automatic cannons, rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles, and air-to-air missiles.
29. Mil Mi-8 (Hip)
The Mil Mi-8 (Hip) is a multirole medium-lift helicopter introduced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant / Russian Helicopters in the Soviet Union in 1967. It reached a top speed of 162 mph and carried rocket pods, Swatter missiles, Sagger missiles, Phalanga missiles, 12.7mm machine gun, and cannon pods.
28. Model 212
Bell Helicopter manufactured the Model 212 in 1968 for the United States. It served as a medium-lift utility/transport helicopter, reaching a top speed of 140 mph, and carried 7.62mm machine guns and rocket pods.
27. SA 330 Puma
France introduced the SA 330 Puma in 1969 as a transport/assault helicopter. Aerospatiale manufactured it to reach a top speed of 170 mph, and it carried machine gun pods and cannon pods.
26. Bo 105 (MBB)
The Bo 105 (MBB) is a light utility helicopter introduced by Airbus Helicopters in Germany in 1970. It reached a top speed of 152 mph and carried HOT / HOT2 anti-tank missiles and TOW anti-tank missiles.
25. SA342 Gazelle
Aerospatiale manufactured the SA342 Gazelle in 1973 for France. The helicopter was a lightweight multirole helicopter, reaching a top speed of 165 mph. It carried HOT anti-tank missiles, Mastra Mistal missiles, rocket pods, 7.62mm machine guns, and 20mm GIAT autocannon.
24. Mil Mi-24 (Hind)
The Soviet Union introduced the Mil Mi-24 (Hind) in 1973 as an armed assault gunship/attack helicopter. Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant manufactured it to reach a top speed of 208 mph, and it carried 12.7mm machine guns, 23mm/30mm cannons, anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, machine gun pods, cannon pods, and conventional drop bombs.
23. AW109
The AW109 is a multirole utility helicopter introduced by Leonardo for Italy in 1976. It reached a top speed of 177 mph and carried 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, TOW anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, and machine gun pods.
22. S-76
Sikorsky Aircraft manufactured the S-76 in 1977 for the United States. It served as a medium-lift multirole helicopter, reaching a top speed of 180 mph, and carried machine gun pods, rocket pods, and cannon pods.
21. AW159 (Lynx / Super Lynx)
The United Kingdom introduced the AW159 (Lynx / Super Lynx) in 1978 as a multirole helicopter. Leonardo-Finmeccanica manufactured it to reach a top speed of 158 mph, and it carried TOW anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, 20mm automatic cannon, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and 7.62mm general purpose machine guns.
20. UH-60 Black Hawk
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a medium-lift multirole helicopter introduced by Sikorsky Aircraft in the United States in 1979. It reached a speed of 183 mph and carried 7.62mm medium machine guns, Hellfire missiles, GAU-19 12.7mm Gatling guns, M134D Gatling guns, and FFAR rocket pods.
19. Mil Mi-17 (Hip-H)
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant/ Russian Helicopters manufactured the Mil Mi-17 (Hip-H) in 1981 for the Soviet Union. It served as a medium-lift transport/gunship helicopter, reaching a top speed of 158 mph, and carried 23mm cannon pods, 7.62mm machine gun pods, rocket pods, and Shturm-V missiles.
18. AS532 (Super Puma / Cougar)
France introduced the AS532 (Super Puma / Cougar) in 1982 as a medium-lift multi-role helicopter. Aerospatiale / Airbus Helicopters manufactured it to reach a top speed of 170 mph, and it carried 7.62mm gun pods, rocket pods, AM 39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.
17. AS565 Panther
The AS565 Panther is a multirole helicopter introduced by Aerospatiale for France in 1985. It reached a top speed of 190 mph and carried GIAT M621 20mm automatic cannon, rocket pods, AS 15 anti-ship missiles, HOT anti-tank missiles, 20mm cabin-mounted cannons, and Mk 46 torpedoes.
16. PZL W-3 Sokol
PZL-Swidnik manufactured the PZL W-3 Sokol in 1985 for Poland. It served as a multirole helicopter, reaching a top speed of 162 mph, and carried 23mm autocannon, rocket pods, missiles, cannon pods, and 12.7mm machine guns.
15. H125 Fennec (AS550)
France introduced the H125 Fennec (AS550) in 1990 as a light utility helicopter. Aerospatiale / Airbus Helicopters manufactured it to reach a top speed of 152 mph, and it carried 20mm GIAT M621 automatic cannon, 12.7mm machine gun pods, 7.62mm machine gun pods, rocket pods, and TOW anti-tank missiles.
14. MH-60L DAP
The MH-60L DAP is a Special Forces gunship helicopter introduced by Sikorsky Aircraft in the United States in 1990. It reached a top speed of 103 mph and carried 30mm M230 chain gun, Hydra rocket pods, GAU-19 gun pods, M134 minigun pods, Hellfire missiles, and Stinger missiles.
13. Z-9 (Haitun)
Harbin manufactured the Z-9 (Haitun) in 1994 for China. It served as a medium-lift transport/gunship helicopter, reaching a top speed of 190 mph, and carried air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, cannon pods, rocket pods, and machine gun pods.
12. CH-146 Griffon
Canada introduced the CH-146 Griffon in 1995 as a multirole utility helicopter. Bell Helicopter manufactured it to reach a top speed of 162 mph, and it carried 7.62mm C6 machine guns and 7.62mm Dillon Aero M134D miniguns.
11. Z-11
The Z-11 is a multirole light utility/attack helicopter introduced by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation for China in 1998. It reached a top speed of 173 mph and carried CS/LM12 minigun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, machine gun pods, air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles, rocket pods, and conventional drop bombs.
10. AW101 Merlin (EH101)
Leonardo manufactured the AW101 Merlin (EH101) in 1999 for Italy. It served as a medium-lift / multirole helicopter, reaching a top speed of 192 mph, and carried 7.62mm machine guns, torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, rocket pods, and depth charges.
9. Dhruv (Polaris)
India introduced the Dhruv (Polaris) in 2002 as a multirole medium-lift transport helicopter. Hindustan Aeronautical Limited manufactured it to reach a top speed of 174 mph, and it carried anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-ship missiles.
8. Mil Mi-35 (Hind-E)
The Mil Mi-35 (Hind-E) is a heavy assault gunship/attack helicopter introduced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant / Russian Helicopters for Russia in 2005. It reached a top speed of 193 mph and carried 23mm twin-barreled cannons, air-to-surface missiles, anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, and cannon pods.
7. UH-1Y Venom (Super Huey)
Bell Helicopter manufactured the UH-1Y Venom (Super Huey) in 2009 for the United States. It served as a medium-lift utility/transport helicopter, reaching a top speed of 190 mph, and carried hydra rocket pods, M240D general purpose machine guns, 12.7mm GAU-16/A Gatling guns, and 7.62mm GAU-17/A Gatling guns.
6. Mil AH-2 Sabre (Mi-35M)
Brazil introduced the Mil AH-2 Sabre (Mi-35M) in 2010 as an assault gunship helicopter. Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant / Russian Helicopters manufactured it to reach a top speed of 193 mph, and it carried a 23mm twin-barreled gun, air-to-surface missiles, anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, cannon pods, and machine gun pods.
5. Rudra (ALH-WSI)
The Rudra (ALH-WSI) is a gunship/multirole military helicopter introduced by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited for India in 2012. It reached a top speed of 180 mph and carried 20mm M621 cannon, Helina anti-tank missiles, MBDA air-to-air missiles, rocket pods, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.
4. KUH-1 Surion
Korea Aerospace Industries manufactured the KUH-1 Surion in 2013 for South Korea. It served as a medium-lift multirole helicopter, reaching a top speed of 162 mph, and carried 7.62mm machine guns, TOW anti-tank guided missiles, and rocket pods.
3. AW149
Italy introduced the AW149 in 2015 as a medium-lift multirole helicopter. Leonardo-Finmeccanica manufactured it to reach a top speed of 173 mph, carrying 7.62mm machine guns and rocket pods.
2. Z-20
The Z-20 is a multi-mission military helicopter introduced by Harbin for China in 2018. It reached a top speed of 171 mph and carried general-purpose machine guns.
1. V-280 Valor
Bell Helicopter manufactured the V-280 Valor in 2020 for the United States. It served as a tiltrotor technology demonstrator, reaching a top speed of 265 mph, and carried 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm heavy machine guns, conventional drop bombs, rocket pods, and 20mm cannon.
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