American helicopter with two propellers. The best combat helicopters in Russia and the USA. Combat use of the Chinook

The US Army is considering two new high-tech military rotorcraft projects: the Bell Helicopter V-280 Valor tiltrotor (Valor) and the Sikorsky and SB-1 Defiant (Daring) coaxial pusher helicopter. Flight tests of both machines are scheduled for 2017, the American military observer Chris wrote in the Warrior edition. This will be their first official test in the US Army.

SB-1 Defiant multipurpose helicopter prototype

New helicopters were created during the JMR TD (Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator, Sample of a single multi-purpose machine), which, in turn, is part of the program to create aircraft future vertical takeoff (Future Vertical Lift, FVL), capable of replacing the famous Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk and Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters, which are now in service with the US Army. A new fleet of combat and transport helicopters is expected to be created by 2030.

“The creation of two different high-tech, future-oriented helicopters is already well under way. There will be ground tests in 2016 and initial flight tests are planned for 2017,” confirmed JMR Program Director Dan Bailey.

According to him, the creation of helicopters is on schedule, "in strict accordance with the cooperation plans of co-executors."

According to the tactical and technical requirements for new vehicles, their cruising speed should exceed 500 km / h, and the combat radius should be more than 400 km.

Next-generation helicopters will also be able to operate in difficult weather conditions.

“We have set a speed requirement of at least 500 km/h as this requires the use of new technologies. In accordance with it, engineers and designers have put forward a lot of breakthrough ideas,” Bailey said.

A faster and more agile helicopter, which can fly far longer without mid-air refueling, would allow US Army units to more effectively hit enemy targets or deliver small mobile forces to the site, he said. special purpose.

The new helicopter will be developed taking into account the latest achievements in the field of avionics in order to timely detect the enemy and use next-generation weapons, describe the requirements for a combat vehicle in.

“We need technologies and projects that are significantly different from what we have today. The new helicopters will carry more equipment and weapons, will be more maneuverable and will perform combat missions with a longer range,” said FVL Project Manager Rich Kretschmaer.

Bell Helicopter's next year will demonstrate to the US Army the third-generation V-280 Valor combat tiltrotor.

A tiltrotor is an aircraft with rotary bladed propellers, which, during takeoff and landing, work as lifting, according to the principle of a helicopter, and in horizontal flight, as pulling, while the lifting force is provided by an aircraft-type wing.

The V-280 was created taking into account the experience of designing and operating the first generation XV-3 and XV-15 convertiplanes, as well as the BA 609 civil tiltrotor that followed them and the first serial military tiltrotor V-22 Osprey of the second generation.

“Unlike the V-22, whose propellers tilted with the engines, the V-280 engines are fixed in horizontal position, and the transition between helicopter and aircraft modes is carried out due to the inclination of some propellers, ”the deputy director explained to Gazeta.Ru.

The wing of the V-280 is forward-swept, not reverse-swept, as is the case with the V-22. It will be produced as a single piece using Large Cell Carbon Core technology to reduce structural weight and manufacturing costs. This technology also allows you to quickly identify defects that occur during operation. The tiltrotor fuselage will also be made of composite materials. The V-280 Valor is designed with a V-tail and a triple redundant remote control system.

The crew of the V-280 consists of four people. The tiltrotor can carry up to 11 passengers on board.

The combat radius of the tiltrotor, previously named by Bell, is 926 km. Ferry flight range - 3889 km. Load capacity - 4500 kg.

The power plant consists of two General Electric T 64-419 engines with an HP 5000 power.

Another promising machine is the SB1 Defiant multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors and pusher tail rotors. The project is based on the Sikorsky X2 demonstrator, which also became the basis for the promising attack helicopter S-97 Raider.

Unlike the strike version, the SB1 Defiant is designed to carry out transport operations, landing troops, performing search and rescue operations and evacuating the wounded from the battlefield. The helicopter in the future may enter service with the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

It is expected that the helicopter may begin to enter the troops as early as 2018 and by 2030 will completely replace the obsolete, according to the US military, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

The JMR / FVL program involves the integration in advanced combat vehicles of a wide range of the latest sensors, weapons and aviation electronics, which provide for the possibility remote control in cases where the pilot is incapacitated by injury or killed, Warrior explained officials Pentagon.

The JMR TD / FVL project documents describe the tasks of developing a human-machine interface with the automatic execution of a large number of a wide variety of functions in order to unload the pilot and crew to take on more important tasks during a sortie.

For example, it is planned to introduce technologies on advanced convertiplanes that assist the pilot in making this or that decision, to organize and prioritize all information entering the cockpit, to optimize visual, 3D, audio and other information signals. Convertiplane pilots will be able to receive video from nearby unmanned aerial vehicles and control these drones during the flight. Some of the information can be shown in the cockpit, and some can be displayed on the pilots' helmets.

According to representatives of the US Army, promising helicopters are supposed to integrate measures to counteract various types enemy weapons - from small arms to man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

Among such technologies is the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) - a high-tech laser jammer capable of deflecting incoming enemy missiles from the course.

CIRCM is an improved version of the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system currently deployed on US Air Force aircraft. The completion date of the CIRCM system is 2018. By 2030, even more advanced technologies are expected to be used.

The new helicopter program involves the creation of new technologies for night vision devices for pilots, thermal imagers, electro-optical sensors, the improvement of laser rangefinders and laser designators.

In accordance with the JMR, helicopters are designed to combine weapons and reconnaissance for the future use of helicopters in a fully autonomous mode, when the vehicle will independently detect, track and fire a large number of targets in sharp maneuvers with adjustments for wind and other conditions.

In all military conflicts of recent decades, helicopters have played a very important role, which are used to transport goods, evacuate the wounded and strike at the enemy. It was helicopters that did most of the dirty work in Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. Attack helicopters, designed for destruction and destruction, stand apart here. Meet the ten best attack helicopters of our time, which are ranked by the best ratio of speed, firepower, maneuverability and electronic stuffing.

10. Mi-24 (USSR)

Mi-24 is one of the world's first specialized attack helicopters designed to support infantry on the battlefield and destroy enemy armored vehicles. He became an alternative to the American AH-1 "Cobra", however, with its own specifics. In addition to powerful weapons and good armor, the Mi-24 can be used as a transport helicopter for transporting up to eight people. This veteran, whose production began in the early 70s of the last century, remains in service to this day, boasts a bunch of modifications and has shown itself well in numerous military conflicts.

9. Z-10 (China)

Z-10 is the first Chinese attack helicopter, which was created with the active participation of the European companies Augusta & Eurocopter. The helicopter is made according to the classic modern scheme with a narrow fuselage, a cockpit in which the pilots sit one after another, and all critical components are hidden behind armored plates. The Z-10 is armed with a 30 mm cannon, HJ-9 or HJ-10 anti-tank missiles, TY-90 air-to-air missiles and unguided. Its main task is to destroy armored vehicles, defensive structures and ensure superiority over the enemy on the battlefield.

8. AH-2 Rooivalk (South Africa)

The South African company Denel Aerospace Systems boasts the creation and production of the AH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter. The machine is designed to destroy manpower, armored vehicles and enemy fortifications. Although this helicopter was designed from scratch, however, part of the components, including the engine and rotor, were borrowed from the Aerospatiale Puma helicopter. To date, 12 pieces of AH-2 Rooivalk are in service with the South African Air Force.

7. AH-1W Super Cobra (USA)

AH-1W Super Cobra is an American twin-engine attack helicopter based on the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter, which increased its survivability on the battlefield and payload. The helicopter was produced in several modifications AH-1J SeaCobra, AH-1T Improved SeaCobra and AH-1W SuperCobra. AH-1W Super Cobra whose main armament was a 20-mm cannon, air-to-ground, air-to-air missiles, plus containers with unguided rockets, bombs or cannons can be fixed on hangers.

6. A-129/T-129 (Italy/Turkey)

Agusta A129 Mangusta (this is the official name of this device) became the first attack helicopter developed and put into mass production in Western Europe in the second half of the 80s of the last century by the Italian company Agusta. The helicopter turned out to be very compact, where the use of armor plates is reduced to a minimum, which was compensated by a special layout of units, duplication of important systems and self-tightening tanks / tubes. Traditionally for attack helicopters, the pilots are located in the cockpit one behind the other. In 2007, the license for its production of helicopters received Turkish company Turkish Aerospace Industries, which releases a simplified version of the helicopter under the T-129 index (it is impossible to install part of the weapons) adopted by the Turkish army. The helicopter is armed with three 20-mm cannons, guided air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and an unguided missile array.

5. AH-1Z Viper (USA)

The AH-1Z Viper is actually a further development of the twin-engine AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter, which has become even more deadly and dangerous, adopted by the US Marine Corps. It uses a new composite four-bladed main and tail rotor, a new transmission and guidance system that allows you to effectively fight at night and in poor visibility.

4. Mi-28N "Night hunter" (Russia)

The Russian attack helicopter Mi-28N is designed for use at any time of the day and in any weather, designed to replace the honored veteran Mi-24. A 30-mm cannon is installed in the nose of the helicopter, and blocks with unguided rockets, guided air-to-ground missiles to destroy enemy armored vehicles or pillboxes, guided air-to-air missiles or containers with guns can be mounted on four external suspensions.

3. Eurocopter Tiger (France/Germany)

The Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter, created by the Franco-German company Eurocopter, has been adopted by Germany, France, Spain and Australia. There are two Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft gas turbine engines, and the body is almost completely made of polymer materials reinforced with carbon and Kevlar threads. Crew members are arranged in tandem one behind the other, but at the same time slightly shifted to the side to improve viewing angles. The Eurocopter Tiger is armed with a 30mm cannon, air-to-surface, surface-to-surface and rocket launchers.

2. Kamov Ka-50/Ka-52 (Russia)

Russian, although it is correct to call it Soviet, after all, the USSR created and brought it to mind, the Ka-50 attack helicopter is a truly unique machine. Firstly, it is single, and secondly, it has a double coaxial main rotor without a tail rotor. The helicopter turned out to be very compact, fast and nimble with a range of 250 km and capable of accelerating up to 350 km/h. The Ka-50 has a 30mm cannon, and four external hangers can carry air-to-ground and air-to-air guided missiles, unguided missile units, cannon containers or bombs. Ka-52 is a two-seat modification of the helicopter.

1. AH-64D Apache Long Bow (USA)

The AH-64D Apache Long Bow Attack Helicopter is a real tank and armored personnel carrier killer ready to do its dirty work day and night in any weather. He is literally all crammed with electronics, which allows you to strike from afar, while remaining invisible to the enemy. The helicopter is capable of simultaneously carrying 16 AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles air-to-ground missiles, 76 Hydra unguided missiles, and that's not counting 1200 30-mm automatic cannon rounds. The AH-64D Apache especially distinguished itself during military campaigns in the Persian Gulf, becoming a real killer of Iraqi tanks.

Helicopters received their development only in the second half of the 20th century. They were practically not used in World War II. However, in combat vehicles they showed themselves from the very better side. be the first to develop such military equipment Americans became, and at first they didn’t even have competitors. Currently, aircraft are used for reconnaissance purposes, for adjusting fire, for evacuating the wounded, for disembarking soldiers, etc. And in this review, some American military helicopters should be highlighted.

Fighting vehicle with enhanced armor protection

The design of the AN-1 was designed according to a single-rotor scheme. Almost all combat vehicles of this type have a two-blade main and tail rotor. An exception is the AN-1W model. It should also be noted that they have a non-retractable ski-type landing gear in their design. This series is characterized by a narrow fuselage. The cockpit can accommodate two crew members. They will sit next to each other. American military helicopters of this series are characterized by enhanced armor protection, as well as a duplicated control system. There is no cargo hold. For a significant increase in speed with maneuverability, the designers installed a relatively small mid-wing.

Armament and the main differences between these models

American military helicopters of this series are equipped with a turret gun mount, which is located in the forward fuselage. There are also four pylons under the wing, which can be equipped with removable weapons. In order to reduce the likelihood of hitting missiles with an IR homing head, the designers equipped the car with an engine exhaust cooling system. Reinforced blades can withstand 23mm rounds.

What is the difference between the AN-1 series and other models? They consist in various power plants, weapons and on-board equipment. Fighting vehicles of this series are capable of hovering at an altitude of 915 meters with a full supply of fuel, as well as with a ton of weapons at a temperature of 35 degrees.

Transport military helicopter

The American military helicopter "Chinook" (CH-47) first took to the air in 1961. A year later it was renamed CH-47A. At the very beginning, it was equipped with two engines, the power of which reached 1641 kW. Subsequently, it was decided to replace them with more powerful units. The all-metal fuselage is characterized by a rectangular section and rounded corners. Fairings can be found on each side of the lower fuselage. They hide the fuel tanks, three each. The amphibious American military helicopter, whose name is Chinook, can accommodate 44 paratroopers. There are knots with the possibility of fixing a stretcher for the wounded in the amount of 24 pieces. Due to the tilted sash, characteristic of the cargo hatch, it is possible to form a loading ramp.

The blades are fastened using hinges. In order to reduce abrasive wear, it was decided to cover the tip of the blade with titanium and nickel alloys.

The famous Apache helicopter

The American military helicopter "Apache" (AN-64) was developed in order to provide soldiers with fire support. It is also necessary for the destruction of armored objects. The combat vehicle can make sorties regardless of the time of day, visibility conditions and weather conditions. In order to reduce the likelihood of missiles with IR homing heads hitting the car, the exhaust of the power unit is produced through a device that disperses the jet, while reducing its temperature. The American military helicopter, whose name is "Apache", is equipped with a Hellfire ATGM, which is characterized by the presence of laser guidance. On the turret, located under the fuselage, there is a 30 mm cannon.

The blades of the carrier wine are characterized by a rectangular shape and an arrow-shaped tip. Due to this, it was possible to reduce the effect of compressibility when reaching high flight speeds. The blades are fastened by systems of elastic torsion plates. They are able to maintain their performance in the event of hit by bullets, the caliber of which reaches 15.7 mm. What other American military helicopters should be highlighted?

Reconnaissance combat helicopter

The Comanche helicopter (RAH-66) is a modern twin-engine reconnaissance combat vehicle. It is also capable of supporting ground forces with fire. The fuselage, which has a US military helicopter with two propellers, is characterized by a low effective reflection area. The combat vehicle has removable weapon pylons, electronic system flight controls and an ergonomic cockpit. The helicopter is equipped with a five-blade main rotor. The tail screw is in the ring. Combat models of this series have IR sensors and telescopic television cameras. They provide the ability to make night flights, as well as to identify targets with high accuracy. The armament of the helicopter is the Hellfire ATGM with laser guidance. There is also an air-to-air Stinger missile, flares and a 20 mm cannon.

Twin-rotor military helicopter

An American military helicopter with two propellers, whose name is Kiowa Warrior, began to be designed back in 1984. Some models were subsequently modified into light special-purpose vehicles. With their help, the wounded, soldiers and cargo were transported, which were secured by using an external suspension. The design has a four-blade main and two-blade tail rotor. Through the use of a new carrier system, it was possible to increase the time spent in flight up to 2.5 hours. At the same time, the helicopter is able to move not only in a straight line, but also sideways and backwards. It can also hover in the air with a wind speed of 65 km / h.

The helicopter is equipped with protection against bullets, the caliber of which is 7.62 mm. Due to the weakening of the thermal radiation of the motor and the use of an active IR interference station, it was possible to reduce the likelihood of hitting missiles with an IR head. The crew with fuel tanks are protected by armor plates. They can withstand 30mm projectiles. To prevent damage to the rotor blades, they were equipped with a cutting knife. A helicopter of this series can transmit data on targets to a ground point through the use of special systems. This procedure takes about 6 seconds.

Hugh transport helicopters

What is the name of the American military helicopter, most of whose modifications can be transported on C-124 type aircraft? We are talking about combat vehicles UH-1 Huey. During the period of their improvement, the designers have improved some of its parameters. The number of seats for passengers was increased, the flight distance was almost 3 times. But the weight of the combat vehicle at the same time became much larger. At first, single-engine models of this series rose into the air, but then it was decided to produce twin-engine ones. Many modifications of this particular series can be transported using C-124 type transport aircraft. Armament is removable. There are special attachment points for it: five built-in and two hinged. On all these nodes, without exception, you can install machine guns with grenade launchers.

Conclusion

In this review, some American helicopters used in reconnaissance and combat operations were considered. In fact, there are a lot of them, and there is not enough time to describe all the models. We have considered only the most famous and popular series. We hope that this article will help to understand what are designed in the United States.

In 1976, it was planned to enter service with a new CH-46E helicopter, created on the basis of the CH-46D helicopter. The foreign press indicated that it would be equipped with a T58-16 engine with an 1870 horsepower. c, have a maximum takeoff weight of 10,600 kg and will be able to take off from a site located at an altitude of 900 m above sea level, at an ambient temperature of 33 ° C. For the same helicopter, by the beginning of 1979, it is planned to develop fiberglass rotor blades.

The Boeing company began the implementation of the program for the further modernization of the CH-47 helicopter at the end of 1976. The new version of the helicopter, designated CH-47D, has (unlike the latest model CH-47C) a simplified hydraulic system and an improved control system. It is reported that as a result of a number of design changes, the survivability of the helicopter will increase. Ultimately, the company's specialists suggest reducing the helicopter's vulnerability to enemy fire by 36-75%. It is planned to modernize 198 helicopters, the pace of work is three machines per month. According to the US Army Command, the implementation of this modernization program will significantly improve the combat capabilities of CH-47 helicopters.

Basic settlement performance characteristics the above new and upgraded helicopters are shown in the table.

Currently, US Army specialists are defining a set of requirements for a promising reconnaissance helicopter, the creation of which is scheduled for the ASH (Advanced Scout Helicopter) program. In particular, as reported in the foreign press, their requirements for the equipment of such a helicopter provide for the installation of an electronic equipment complex (the total weight of which should not exceed 370 kg), including a television detection system, an infrared night vision system in the front hemisphere, a laser designator and a laser range finder.

Under this program, it is planned to purchase 700 vehicles. Some American experts believe that since one of the main conditions of the ASH program is the low cost of a helicopter (less than $ 1 million), the development of a new machine is excluded. There are only two options for implementing the program: the modernization of 700 light reconnaissance helicopters currently in service or the modernization of 400 existing OH-6D air surveillance helicopters, as well as the purchase of 300 more advanced helicopters of a similar class OH-58A and re-equipping them with the above equipment.

The above data shows that the creation of new and improvement of helicopters in service with the US Army is the next round of the arms race, which is continued by US imperialism, despite the positive changes taking place in the world.

Thirty-three of the newest H-1 series helicopters will soon enter service with the US Army - such a deal will cost the military a pretty penny (or rather, 550 million dollars). In this regard, M PORT decided to explore: what are the best combat helicopters for America?

AH-1Z Super Cobra

Capable of a lot. Flexible. Multifunctional. In general, the most-most among attack helicopters, a masterpiece of helicopter art. Its design, materials, avionics and weapons meet all the highest requirements that the US Marine Corps imposes on its military equipment.

Especially good is its integrated aiming system, which comes in handy in modern military conflicts, often taking place in urban areas. And the passive radar carefully scans the vast battlefield, capturing several targets at once in the sights of the helicopter.

Boeing V-22

Wide application range, excellent speed and the ability to transform. Once upon a time, the classic parameters of a helicopter were set as a flying machine. So, the V-22 flies twice as fast as the "classics", takes three times more cargo, and its maximum flight height is twice the ceiling of older rotorcraft.

This is the world's first machine that combines the ability to take off vertically and glide horizontally like an airplane. The crossover transmission allows the pilot to operate two Rolls-Royce AE1107C Liberty engines either together or separately. The specific layout of motors and planes is the best suited to the conduct of hostilities at sea.

To create a completely new machine with such an index, Bell added the most advanced aerospace technologies to its recognizable silhouette and proven reliability. Helicopter airframe improvements, two General Electric T700 engines, a modern glass cockpit and the most advanced on-board systems make it the ultimate tactical helicopter.

According to experts, thanks to a fully integrated weapon system, avionics and communication systems, this rotorcraft is one of the most tenacious in modern combat conditions.

OH-58D KIOWA WARRIOR

This helicopter, with its outstanding combat qualities, is able to give pepper to the "bad guys" anywhere in the world. He already has a lot of real operations on his account, and he conducts military operations equally effectively both day and night.

This tough fighter can carry a wide variety of weapons on board. He is always on the alert, and he will be ready for battle no later than 10 minutes after unloading from the belly of the S-130 transport. And special equipment and a low-noise power unit help him covertly approach enemy positions.

The experience of using a fleet of 150 helicopters of this type, deployed in more than 10 countries around the world, proves that this helicopter deserves to be the main platform for further development promising multifunctional helicopter.
Equipped with a reliable Honeywell T53-L-703 engine, it demonstrates excellent flying qualities. And this despite the fact that the latest improvements have weighed the car up to 4.8 tons.

According to experts, the best helicopter for transporting military personnel to long distance and at high altitude, as well as for the evacuation of the wounded, including in a hot desert, it is difficult to find.

Excellent reconnaissance helicopter. Detects and eliminates the threat. Saves human lives. In general, the embodiment of the American army's dream of a high-speed and maneuverable reconnaissance aircraft.

The helicopter is equipped with a single Honeywell HTS900-2 turbocharged engine, which transmits 970 horsepower to the shaft. It is armed with a powerful Gatling cannon, seven guided missiles and a 38 NURS battery.