What would a Helicopter designed primarily to fight other Helicopters look like?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: India
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What would a Helicopter designed primarily to fight other Helicopters look like?
As far as I know, Helo vs Helo combat is pretty rare, and Helos are pretty much all designed for air-to-ground (or sea) operations of various sorts. Some Helos can carry anti-air missiles (Cobra can carry a sidewinder for example?).
What do you think a Helicopter would look like if it were designed primarily to kill other Helicopters? What sort of weapons would it employ? What sorts or rotor system would it use?
What do you think a Helicopter would look like if it were designed primarily to kill other Helicopters? What sort of weapons would it employ? What sorts or rotor system would it use?
With some upgrades to the Radar System and adding Sidewinders or perhaps a radar guided Missile.....the AH-64 would do a fine job probably.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Helicopter versus helicopter
It would "look like" (literally) a common non-fighting helicopter...that's not to say it would be made like same. Without the advantage of deception, why not pose the question something like: "What would be the best VTOL aircraft primarily designed to fight helicopters?" (Which could be a helicopter or something else.)
Lots of HvH during the Iran/Iraq war - start your studies there. AH vs AH and AH vs BH using all manner of weapons. AH1 carries AIM-9 now, plus the gun and ATGMs/Rockets (all used in Iran/Iraq war). If I wanted to kill RW I’d use an AT-6 like platform, A10 or, as the GAF did, dedicated Alfa Jet units. Another RW is not a great dedicated RW killer due to lack of speed differential. V280 et al may change the paradigm somewhat.........
USAF F-15's did a great job against US Army Blackhawks.....unfortunately!
Maybe something like the Russian Ka-52 ALLIGATOR? Relatively high speed and maneuverability, comprehensive sensor suite and a second pair of eyes who can do the systems operation whilst the pilot is dealing with the low level environment. Added to that, a decent weapons fit with 30mm cannon, ATGM and an AA-11 fit mean it could probably engage most other helos at range, with the Vikhr laser guided ATGM having a pretty good anti-jam capability.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,576
Received 425 Likes
on
224 Posts
British helicopter pilots in Cold War Germany (myself included) were rather worried about the Hind and the Frogfoot.
In the Falklands war crews were rather worried about meeting up with the Pucara, especially if there were two.
I agree about the KA-52, or anything else with armament; all I had easily to hand was my 9mm pistol.....
In the Falklands war crews were rather worried about meeting up with the Pucara, especially if there were two.
I agree about the KA-52, or anything else with armament; all I had easily to hand was my 9mm pistol.....
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are movies from Syria on youtube etc. where you can seen how engagements helo vs. manpads end. Looks like the game has changed.
Remember the US did not use many combat helicopters over the Balkans back then. Must have been for a reason. Probably something like an A-10 would be their biggest flying adversary.
Remember the US did not use many combat helicopters over the Balkans back then. Must have been for a reason. Probably something like an A-10 would be their biggest flying adversary.
Start with a modernised AH-56.....
KK, MANPADS are lethal if you don’t invest in IR Suppression and countermeasure technology. With both (plus good TTPs), most threats out there can be reduced to an acceptable level. IIRC from flying around the Balkans in the late 90s, the US issue was flying at night in low ambient light, on poor maps with EO and IITs ( NVGs) optimised for the German Central Front. Ergo, they hit a lot of wires......You are correct with your assumption RE the A-10. During the J-CATCH Trials only the A-10 achieved parity. The A7, F4 and F15A all lost badly against the attack helo. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J-CATCH
The Comanche would have been a good choice.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,056
Received 2,927 Likes
on
1,250 Posts
Modern Comanche or a Harrier
If it's going to be a helicopter (e.g. vertical takeoff/landing), it's going to look pretty much like any other helicopter. There are good reasons why most helicopters look similar (unless you go with something like the Chinook style twin-rotor or an Osprey style tilt-rotor design). I suspect the details would make it look similar to a dedicated gunship.
BTW PDR - what would make the interceptor in your drawing a 'helicopter' - I don't even see anything that would give it STOL capability, never mind vertical...
BTW PDR - what would make the interceptor in your drawing a 'helicopter' - I don't even see anything that would give it STOL capability, never mind vertical...
The S-67 Blackhawk would be a very good anti-helicopter helicopter.
Perhaps we can get Brother Dixson to extol its virtues for us.
https://gallery.vtol.org/image/PZHX
Perhaps we can get Brother Dixson to extol its virtues for us.
https://gallery.vtol.org/image/PZHX
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,576
Received 425 Likes
on
224 Posts
We used to carry out "fighter evasion" training against Harriers and other jets. Much of the time we had to direct the pilot onto us, rather than evade him (possibly why they later renamed the exercise fighter "affiliation"). A faster, jet aircraft isn't necessarily the most effective against a helicopter. Most jet pilots I spoke to said that if we had offensive weapons they wouldn't even try to take on a well flown helicopter.
Indeed, Haraka. Fast and low over the top of the wretched things was something we were advised. Preferably supersonic.
As for
The answer to that is blindingly obvious - as hideously ugly as any other helicopter!
As for
What would a Helicopter designed primarily to fight other Helicopters look like?