TOP 10 IN SERVICE ATTACK HELICOPTERS IN THE WORLD

Within the 90th edition of APAnews this year I reported on Nigeria acquiring T-129 attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries and this prompted me to take a look at the world's in service attack helicopters.

- ATHOL FRANZ

There are always questions which is the best attack helicopter in the world. Which is the greatest modern gunship and why? The top 10 in-service helicopter gunships are based on the combined score of performance, firepower, protection and avionics. Specifications for comparison are from available data and this list does not include gunships that are in development or at the prototype stage. It includes only best helicopters that are currently in service and in production. All of the attack helicopters mentioned here are incredibly powerful and devastating. Crew training of the helicopter is also important, as performance of the actual machine depends on the crew performance.

1. BOEING AH-64E APACHE GUARDIAN (USA)

The AH-64E (AH-64D Block III) is an upgraded version of the original AH-64A, which was developed for the US Army, to replace the AH-1 Cobra. The Apache helicopter has been in combat during a number of recent wars. The Apache Guardian is fitted with a mast mounted antenna with updated Longbow fire control radar. This attack helicopter can fire Hellfire 2 anti-tank guided missiles in fire-and-forget mode.

Other improvements include targeting, battle management system, cockpit, communications, weapons and navigation systems. The gunship is also fitted with a 30 mm cannon.

Deliveries of the Apache Guardian began to the US Army in 2011. A total of 634 AH-64D helicopters will be upgraded to the AH-64E standard. As of 2020, more than 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.