There are a total of twenty-seven military attack helicopters in the world from origin to present day. But, which one is the best attack helicopter in the world right now? Which is the greatest and most advanced amongst these and why? Here, we come up with a list of top ten most advanced attack helicopters in the world. Our analysis is based on the combined score of performance, speed, protection, agility, firepower capabilities and avionics. It includes only best attack helicopters that are currently in service. All the helicopters mentioned here are incredibly powerful and devastating.
10. Mil Mi-24 Hind (Russia)
The Mi-24 is one of the most widely-known assault helicopter gunships, attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport in the world, and remains in service with at least 50 air arms. Although production of Mi-24 has been ceased in 1991, it is considered to be one of the best and most advanced attack helicopters ever made.
The Mi-24 has a 23-mm twin-barrel cannon, and carries 9M17P Skorpion (AT-2 Swatter), 9M114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral) anti-tank guided missiles.
9. Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache (USA)
The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-turboshaft attack helicopter known to be the preeminent and most powerful anti-armor weapon system in the Gulf War. The latest version of AH-64D is the AH-64E Apache Guardian. Until 2012 it was designated as AH-64D Block III.
The AH-64 Apache has a 30-mm M230 cannon, and carries 16 x AGM-114L Hellfire 2 anti-tank missiles, 4 x Stinger, Mistral of 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles or 2 x AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radar missiles and 19-shot Hydra 70 rocket pods.
8. Agusta A129 Mangusta (Italy)
First ever dedicated attack helicopter to be produced in Western Europe. Agusta A129 Mangusta, one of the most advanced attack helicopters, is a two-seat, twin-engined, lightweight battlefield helicopter developed specifically for the anti-armor attack role.
It has a 20-mm cannon; can carry podded 12.7-mm machine guns. It carries 8 x TOW-2A anti-tank missiles, 52 x 70-mm or larger 81-mm Medusa rockets.
7. Denel AH-2 Rooivalk (South Africa)
The Rooivalk is a next-generation attack helicopter from Denel Aviation of South Africa. The AH-2 Rooivalk can carry a range of weapons depending on the mission profile. It is equipped with a 20-mm Armscor cannon, and carries 4 x 4 -round launchers for TOW or Denel ZT-6 Mokopa anti-tank missiles. It also carries launchers with 70-mm un-operated rockets in place of the missiles.
6. Z-10 (China)
The Z-10 is the new and the first dedicated Chinese attack helicopter. It is believed that it is in the same class as the A-129 Mangusta and the AH-2 Rooivalk. It has a standard gunship configuration with a narrow fuselage and stepped tandem cockpits.
The Z-10 has a 30 mm cannon and carries HJ-9 or HJ-10 anti-tank missiles, TY-90 air-to-air missiles and unoperated rocket pods.
5. Eurocopter Tiger (France/Germany)
One of the most advanced attack helicopters, Eurocopter Tiger is currently in service with the Germany and France’s air forces. It’s a four-bladed, twin-engined, medium-weight attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003.
It has a 30 mm cannon and carries eight HOT 2, HOT 3 or Trigat 2 anti-tank missiles; four Stinger 2 or Mistral short-range air-to-air missiles, 68 x 68-mm rockets and podded 12.7-mm guns.
4. Mil Mi-28 Havoc (Russia)
The Russian all-weather, day-night, two-seat anti-armor, Mil Mi-28 Havoc is one of the most advanced heavily-armored attack helicopters. It is a dedicated attack helicopter with no intended secondary transport capability. It is in service with the Russian army since 2006.
With maximum speed of 320 km/h, Mil Mi-28 Havoc has a 30-mm cannon and carries 9 M114 Shturm-C, 9 M120 / 9 M121F Vikhr or 9 A-2200 anti-tank guided missiles.
3. Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B (Russia)
The newer, improved, two-seat version of the Ka-50, is one of the fastest and most advanced attack helicopters in the world. Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B is a multi-role, incredibly strong all-weather attack helicopter. One of the most maneuverable, next-generation attack helicopters, capable operating in daytime and at night.
The Ka-52 uses a 30-mm cannon (460 rounds), 12 Vikhr (AT-9 Spiral) anti-tank missiles or four Igla-V air-to-air missiles, and can carry quite a few unguided rockets and Igla air-to-air missiles.
2. Bell AH-1Z Viper (USA)
The world’s most advanced attack helicopter, Bell AH-1Z is a modern version the AH-1 Cobra. Bell AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft weapons and survivability equipment in the world. It is the only attack helicopter with a fully-integrated air-to-air missile capability.
The Bell AH-1Z Viper has a 20-mm (with 750 rounds) three-barrel cannon and carries AGM-114A/B/C anti-tank missiles, AGM-114F anti-ship missiles, AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, pods with 70-mm unoperated rockets, free-fall bombs.
1. AH-64E Apache Guardian (USA)
As far as best attack helicopters go, the American four-blade, twin-turboshaft with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew, Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian is the most advanced ever built.
With a maximum speed of 300 km/h, AH-64E Apache Guardian has a 30-mm cannon and carries 16 AGM-114L Hellfire, 2 anti-tank missiles, four AIM-92 Stinger or two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, two AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radiation missiles and 19-shot Hydra 70 rocket pod.
Top 10 Most Advanced Attack Helicopters are:
- AH-64E Apache Guardian
- AH-1Z Viper
- Kamov Ka-52 Hokum-B
- Mil Mi-28 Havoc
- Eurocopter Tiger
- Z-10
- Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
- Agusta A129 Mangusta
- AH-64D Longbow Apache
- Mil Mi-24 Hind
