10 iconic in the history of military helicopters

Continuing the theme of aviation top 10 production aircraft from Sukhoi would now like to introduce you to the most famous in the history of helicopters, helicopter.

September 14, 1939 first flew the helicopter Sikorsky - the world's first helicopter designed for military purposes. Developments helicopters scientist Igor Sikorsky aircraft started back in pre-revolutionary Russia, and sold them into practice when he was in exile in the United States. Today, in our review of ten most famous military helicopters.

Will be 23 photos + text source.





Light multipurpose helicopter Sikorsky R-4 "Hoverflay»

The first helicopter Sikorsky VS-300 took off back in 1939. Designer personally drove the car. View from the VS-300 was quite primitive, and even the fuselage had no skin. The pilot sat in a small chair quite openly, right in front of the engine. Initially, the helicopter was installed engine "Lycoming" capacity of 65 horsepower, which are driven by three-bladed propeller. The helicopter was heavy in management, he vibrates strongly and stayed in the air for a few seconds.

VS-300 - the first Sikorsky helicopter.



Sikorsky continued its development in January 1942, introduced a helicopter R-4 "Hoverflay." The helicopter can reach a speed of 120 km \ h and fly 180 km, rising from one pilot to a height of 3650 meters (2800 meters - with two pilots). Purpose of the first military helicopter - communication and rescue operations. Sikorsky R-4 "Hoverflay" was in service in the United States since 1942 and since 1945 in service in the UK. Military aircraft exploited this helicopter in Alaska during the war in Burma, where the R-4 to ensure the promotion of American troops in the jungle, delivering goods and messages and evacuating the wounded. With arms R-4 was shot in the late 1940s.

Helicopter Sikorsky R-4 "Hoverflay»



Mi-1 - the first Soviet military helicopter

The first Soviet serial helicopter became MI-1. In flight performance of the Mi-1 it was like a famous American helicopter Sikorsky S-51 (1949). But if an American helicopter was released a small series and built for long, the Mi-1 received the widest application in the national economy and in the armed forces of the USSR and other countries, where the helicopter was exported.

The first Soviet military helicopter.



Since 1954, Mi-1 produced in Orenburg, and later - in Rostov, and in 1957 they produced under license in Poland. In the period from 1958 to 1968, this helicopter was set 27 international records, including speed record (141.392 km / h), a record altitude (6700 m) and range of flight (1654.571 km). Mi-1 and are now in operation in many countries.

In the cockpit of the Mi-1.



Mi-8 - the most popular helicopter in the world

The Mi-8 was put into production in 1965. The history of this car began in 1958, when Nikita Khrushchev called the constructor Mikhail Mil to the Kremlin and asked to go to the US to buy some of the company Sikorsky helicopters, and most importantly - to inspect production and explore the possibilities of American cars.

The Mi-8 was powered by two 1,500-horsepower engine with a 12-stage compressor, an annular combustor ramjet and 2-stage axial turbine. If one of the other engines is automatically out of the increased capacity, allowing a vertical flight machine performed without reducing the height. In addition to 3 crew members of the helicopter could not take on board 24 paratroopers or 28 passengers and move them to a distance of 425 km at a cruising speed of 225 km \ h. The maximum speed of the Mi-8 - 250 km / h.

Mi-8 - Soviet helicopter has become a sensation.



In June 1965 the Soviet Union introduced the Mi-8 at the international air show in Le Bourget, and the helicopter has become a sensation.

During the 50 years of the machines produced more than 12 thousand. Mi-8 different versions. Last modification of military helicopters - Mi-8AMTSh "Terminator" is designed to deal with armored above-water, ground-based, mobile and fixed small-sized targets for the transport of troops and military cargo, the wounded, to destroy enemy personnel, as well as for emergency operations, and search and rescue work.

Mi-8 on duty.



Ka-31 - Soviet helicopter that has no analogues in the world

In November 1986, he took off Soviet helicopter Ka-31, which has no analogues in the world helicopter. Its main feature - the ability to conduct radar surveillance. The helicopter can be based on ships, and can be used in the land option for solving the problems of air defense of ground troops.

On board the Ka-31 is installed electronic systems, which allows to conduct automated helicopter flight in any climatic and weather conditions on the programmed route, detect, and auto tracking to take on up to 20 targets. While the information on to the helicopter passes on control points for telecode link.

Ka-31 - radar picket helicopter.



The helicopter and now is unique in its combat characteristics. It is able to detect air targets such as "aircraft - a helicopter" on the outer reaches at extremely low altitudes. Use the helicopter and for the detection of surface ships and their escorts. Ship-based helicopter Ka-31 is able to be protected from air strikes connections warships, which operate outside the AWACS aircraft and coastal radars. The Ka-31 is currently in service in Russia and India.

Ka-31 - a unique combat helicopter.



Ka-50 "Black Shark»

Soviet helicopter Ka-50, a prototype of which took off in the summer of 1982, the world's first helicopter with an ejector seat, providing rescue pilot in all flight modes. Security pilot in the car paid a special place: a fully armored cabin with spaced metal plates, the total mass of which exceeds 300 kg. Tests have shown that the protection guaranteed by the pilot in contact with the side of the machine 12 caliber bullets, and shrapnel 7 mm 20-mm shells.

Ka-50 - one of the most effective fighting machines.



Tests of this helicopter were kept in the strictest secrecy. We are being tested near Moscow, in view of the multitude of curious. Therefore, experts EDO went to the original concealment measures: fighting machine made in transport, to finish the bright yellow paint on the sides of the fuselage extra windows and doors.

"Black Shark": everything for the pilot.



The first baptism of fire helicopter Ka-50 took place during the counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya, the Russian army in January 2001. Then the helicopter and got his nickname - "Black Shark". The machine is capable of performing combat missions in difficult mining conditions, showing in combat power available and maneuverability.

The cabin of the helicopter Ka-50



Mi-26 - the largest helicopter in the world

Mi-26 - the world's largest multi-purpose transport helicopter, which is used both in civil and military aviation. The first Mi-26 took to the air in 1977. Today helicopter pilots who nicknamed the "flying cow", is the largest helicopter in the world. He is able to fly up to 20 tons of cargo, not only on board, but also on the external sling. For heavy loads has provided winch lifting loads up to 500 kg. The helicopter can accommodate 82 paratroopers or 60 stretchers with wounded. Maximum speed of the car - 295 km \ h.

Mi-26 - the largest helicopter in the world



Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk»

Helicopters twenty-first century, many believe the helicopter Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk", created 40 years ago. With 1500 kg payload on board or up to 4000 kg on external sling, it takes on board 14 fighters. Today, there is a basic version of the land and 60 UH-2 antisubmarine version - SH-60F «Ocean Hawk» and SH-60B «Sea Hawk». There is also the line of deck helicopters, attack helicopters, vehicles for special operations, sanitary versions and jammers. Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter is used as headquarters for generals and high-ranking officials. Today, the helicopter actively exported.

Sikorsky UH-60 - the helicopter century.



Attack helicopters AH-64 Boeing «Apache»

Cult helicopter «Apache» gained fame in the operation "Desert Storm", where, as stated by the representatives of NATO, successfully fought with tanks, and became the prototype of a whole class of modern combat helicopters. This helicopter is regularly used by the Air Force IDF. Helicopter found 16 anti-tank missiles "Hellfayr" missiles "Stinger" for air combat and built-in 30 mm automatic gun.

Helicopter Apache - the hero of the storm in the desert.



Experts say that today an open challenge to "Apache" for flight TTX threw the Russian Mi-28N "Night Hunter". And in 2002, an export version of the Mi-24 with modern avionics BBC North Korea shot down a South Korean ambush "Apache". South Korea loss recognized and demanded by the United States to spend their free service "Apache." The dispute is not allowed until now. US helicopters became even a source of inspiration for designers to create a collection of exclusive hats-helicopters.

The legendary Apache



"Huey" (Iroquois) - a symbol of the Vietnam War

Helicopter "Huey" with napalm has become a symbol of the Vietnam War. These helicopters were US military for the "native home" - brought them into position, supplied with provisions and ammunition, driving gear and evacuated from the battlefield.

Huey - a symbol of the Vietnam War.



According to statistics, in 11 years of war "Huey" made 36 million sorties. If we take into account that the base did not return three thousand. Machines, it turns out that 18 thousand. Sorties accounted for 1 permanent loss. The result is unique! And this despite the fact that the "Huey" did not have reservations.

Huey in Vietnam.



Mi-24 "Crocodile" - a hybrid helicopter-

Mi-24 - Soviet military transport helicopter, which took its first flight in 1969. NATO, he received the code name "Lan» (Hind), and American experts verdict: Mi-24 helicopter is not.

Transport-combat Mi-24.



Although outwardly similar to the Mi-24 helicopter and is used as a helicopter, from a technical point of view - it is a hybrid. He can not take off from the "Piglet" and hover in the air. His visual disproportionately large pylons are actually wings. The Mi-24 was created as a "flying infantry fighting vehicles." And the designers have managed to turn a heavy armored helicopter is one of the fastest combat helicopters in the world (speeds up to 320 km \ h).

In the cockpit of the Mi-24.



"Crocodile" was involved in the fighting in the Pamir Mountains, in the gorges of the Caucasus, in the tropical forests of Equatorial Africa and sultry Asian deserts. Battle Glory came to him in Afghanistan. This unique rotary-wing attack aircraft has become a symbol of the war. One of the Afghan Mujahideen in an interview with US news channel of the "Crocodile" said: "We are not afraid of Russian, but we are afraid of helicopters».

Mi-24 helicopters in Afghanistan.



I do not know why in this collection do not have a helicopter 47 Boeing CH-Chinook. In my subjective opinion, he is also one of its kind in the United States the main machine.

Boeing CH-47 "Chinook" (eng. Boeing CH-47 Chinook) - American heavy military-transport helicopter of the longitudinal scheme. Replaced in the United States Army CH-54 helicopter and widely exploited since the early 1960s. Exported to 16 countries



In the period of 1972-1976 years, Iran was delivered 70 helicopters CH-47C.

June 27, 1978 4 Iranian helicopters "Chinook" intruded into Soviet air space over Turkmenistan. On the interception were raised MiG-23. The pilot first interception of MIG, A. Demyanov, mistakenly took them for Soviet helicopters. Later, they were intercepted by another MiG-23 piloted by V. Shkinder, who identified them as intruders and attack them. The first helicopter was hit by two missiles R-60, 8 crew members died. Another "Chinook", he fired a gun, so that the damaged helicopter made an emergency landing on Soviet territory. The remaining 2 helicopter had to return to Iran. Pilots and damaged "Chinook" after a while were returned.

That's all, thank you for your attention, if there is an interesting add-materials!

P.S. If you will be shown what is malfunctioning, I beg you not to swear, and to report, we will correct immediately. Thank you!



Source: