Best Helicopter

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Well obviously my fav is the UH-60L Blackhawk because I fly it everyday but what about you guys, what do you think is the best Helicopter? Here are some pics that I have taken of Helicopters here in Iraq. There are also many more helos that I could have put in the poll but I think it was a good start and could get it going.

UH-60L Blackhawk

Since October of 1989, Sikorsky has been producing the UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopter with 24 percent more power than the UH-60A model. The T700-GE-701C turbine engines enable the UH-60L to take advantage of the new 3,400 shp improved durability main gearbox.
The UH-60L was further modified with SEAHAWK flight control components and an increase in tail rotor pitch. These modifications allow the aircraft to take full advantage of available engine power while extending the flight control component fatigue lives in excess of 5,000 hours.





As an example of the benefits of this upgrade, a modified UH-60L BLACK HAWK is capable of airlifting a 9,000 pound external payload, 60 nm under hot day conditions: an increase of 3,000 pounds over the UH-60A model.

In response to the growing weights of external loads such as weaponized M1036 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), the Army increased the external hook capacity to 9,000 pounds for a gross weight of 23,500 pounds. This improvement, for example, allows organic UH-60L aviation resources to more closely match the lift requirements within the Light Infantry Divisions.

Sikorsky continues to demonstrate the increased payload capacity of the latest BLACK HAWK model. Pictured on the front is the external lift of an AVENGER HMMWV weighing 8,750 pounds.



The world's most advanced twin-turbine military helicopter. The UH-60L is powered by twin General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshafts rated 1,890 shp each, plus the 3,400 shp Improved Durability Gearbox and heavy-duty flight controls developed for the naval S-70B SEAHAWK. It is cleared to 22,000 lbs. gross weight, and can carry 9,000 lbs. external loads. New wide-chord composite main rotor blades and further engine upgrades are available for future performance requirements.

An External Stores Support System (ESSS), consisting of removable four-station pylons, multiplies BLACK HAWK roles. With the ESSS, the UH-60L can carry additional fuel tanks for extended range in self-deployment up to 1,150 nautical miles. For anti-armor missions, it can carry 16 HELLFIRE missiles on the pylons, or a variety of other ordnance, including guns and rockets.

Characteristics: Performance at Missions Gross Weight
Maximum Cruise Speed (MCP)
4000' 95o F 152 kts
2000' 70o F 159 kts
SLS 155 kts
VNE 193 kts
Vertical rate of climb (95% MRP)
4000' 95o F 1,550 fpm
2000' 70o F 2,750 fpm
SLS 3,000+ fpm
Service ceiling (ISA day) 19,150 ft
Hover ceiling (MRP-OGE)
95o F day 7,650 ft
70o F day 9,375 ft
ISA Day 11,125 ft
Engines
Number of engines - Two
Model T700-GE-701C Turboshaft
Takeoff Power (per engine) 1,890 shp
Weights
Weight empty 11,516 lbs.
Mission gross weight 17,432 lbs.
Maximum gross weight (internal load) 22,000 lbs.
Maximum gross weight (external load) 23,500 lbs.
Maximum gross weight (ferry) 24,500 lbs.
http://www.sikorsky.com/details/1%2C...I561%2C00.html

[plan_D]

It really should be called favourite helicopter, don't you think? I'm voting Chinook because my dad kept them running for years and was one of the first RAF electricians trained on them.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The Chinook is a great aircraft, it is the fastest helicopter we have in our army.

[plan_D]

It is a great aircraft, and extremely fast for its size. It's been the work horse of many countries arms, for a long time.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

It is a great helo. I am not too fond of them though. I flew on one to go home for my 2 weeks of leave from Iraq and the whole flight it felt like it wanted to have a mid air collision with itself and the engine exhaust came up the back and filling the cabin and it leaked hydraulic fluid on my head the whole flight. If it is not leaking in 7 spots you dont fly it though.

[mosquitoman]

I went for the Huey, simply because it was the first combat helicopter to be built, if it wasn't for the Huey we wouldn't have the choppers we have today

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Great choice. It is a great Helo and that is why our Marines still use it today the UH-1N. I lived around the Huey for all of my life. I used to go in when ever my dad went flying just to watch him take off. My first flight in a helicopter was a huey also. They are bringing back life into the Huey again now working on 2 new varients and might even be making a new version for the Army's light utility helicopter program. But it is basically a brand new aircraft not like the old UH-1H's that were made famouse.

The UH-1Y has already been chosen by the Marines for there replacement for the UH-1N.

Ask anyone to picture a military helicopter, and chances are high they will visualize the Bell Helicopter Textron UH-1. That’s because it is the most successful military helicopter ever produced. It is the epitome of mission effectiveness, reliability and safety. Over 16,000 UH-1s have been produced, and have operated in challenging environments ranging from the rugged mountains of Bosnia, to the frozen vastness of Antarctica. Many of the first UH-1s delivered are still flying today, some airframes having logged over 30,000 hours. Militaries around the world continue to depend on this proven workhorse to execute combat assaults, evacuate wounded soldiers, transport senior staff, or complete any other helicopter mission you can imagine.

Over the past 40 years, the legendary UH-1 has continuously improved. From the unstoppable UH-1D, that changed the face of mobile warfare in Southeast Asia, and the highly versatile UH-1H that founded rotary wing aviation for militaries throughout the world, the UH-1 became the standard bearer around the globe. Now with the innovative four bladed, twin engined UH-1Y, Bell Helicopter Textron continues to redefine safety, ability and strength of character in military rotary wing aircraft.

The aircraft of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps, the UH-1Y was selected over the competing aircraft because of its ability to meet all the Corps’ stringent requirements, and its 70% life cycle cost saving against the competition. The Marines will be procuring 100 UH-1Ys through an ingenious upgrade program to their existing UH-1N fleet. This innovative modernization approach will save the USMC over $1 billion.

The UH-1Y program offers the maximum acquisition flexibility to prospective operators. This sophisticated aircraft can be purchased as a “new production” program, or for current H-1 operators, their existing UH- 1 fleet can be remanufactured to the new UH-1Y configuration.

A familiar silhouette and proven heritage are about the only common features that the new UH-1Y shares with its famed predecessors. Bell Helicopter Textron has applied the latest aerospace technologies, and manufacturing processes to create the new UH-1Y tactical utility helicopter. It has a familiar proud profile, but the capability is altogether new. Dramatically improved survivability, maneuverability and supportability are designed in, using the most modern technologies available.

New four-bladed all-composite, ballistically tolerant main and tail rotor systems are the most noticeable changes that have been made. These airframe improvements, in conjunction with twin General Electric T700 engines, the 21st century “glass” cockpit crew-station, and other advanced systems, deliver substantial increases in tactical capability.

Payload is 125% higher than the UH-1N, allowing the commander to move more troops and materiel, with fewer sorties.
Range and maximum cruise speed have been increased by almost 50% over the UH-1N delivering combat assets to their objective faster.
High G loads can be sustained in tactical or evasive maneuvers.
Significantly reduced vibration provides pilots better responsiveness and agility.
A fully integrated, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible “glass” cockpit, maximizes situational awareness, by easily delivering critical navigation, threat, communications, and aircraft system data to the crew.
An advanced electronic warfare self protection (EWSP) suite, and ballistically hardened components protect it from a broad range of modern threat weapons.
A proven crashworthy fuel system to reduce the risk of fire and fully stroking energy attenuating seats to protect crewmembers and passengers from injury, in the event of a crash.
Designed For Supportability
Both the airframe and engines have been built with the maintainer in mind. The design facilitates field expedient maintenance as well as extended periods of maintenance free operation. Bell and its suppliers, known for their world-class support, are confident that the UH-1Y will continue the tradition of providing industry leading reliability at the lowest through life cost.

The UH-1Y is designed to withstand operation in the harshest, most challenging environments. The aircraft is “wet assembled” and incorporates aluminum transmission cases to prevent corrosion. The UH-1Y also incorporates a unique semi automatic main rotor blade folding capability that enables the aircraft to be easily moved and stored in confined areas.

The Legacy Lives On
The new UH-1Y brings together proven airframe reliability, a revolutionary composite four bladed main and tail rotor, impressive output of General Electric T700 series engines, and a fully integrated avionics and sensor package to provide the operator dramatic improvements in performance with significantly reduced support requirements and costs. As the preeminent tactical utility helicopter for the current and future battlefield, the UH-1Y provides significant improvements over current utility helicopters in multi-mission capability, and is available as a new production helicopter, or as an upgrade program to existing UH-1 fleets.

The Bell legacy continues with the most modern tactical utility helicopter available, the UH-1Y.
http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.co.../bellUH-1Y.cfm

Bell who designs and builds the Huey also is the maker of the AH-1 Cobra and the next varient of the Cobra is already in the works for the Marines it is called the AH-1Z.

T

he AH-1Z is the most capable and flexible multi-mission attack helicopter in the world. It is powerful, fast, agile and has the state-of-the-art dynamics, weapons and avionics suites that incorporates the latest survivability equipment available . The AH-1Z has excellent anti-armor capability and excels at the full spectrum of attack helicopter missions. It has the capability to operate effectively in the littorals where 70% of the world’s population live, and the capability to engage and defeat the broadest array of threats imaginable at standoff ranges not enjoyed before. The USMC AH-1Z is powered by the T700-GE-401. At customer choice, the more powerful T700-GE-701C can be installed for even more impressive performance:

Weapons Capability:
AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles up to 16 total
AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
AGM 114K Hellfire II radio-frequency anti-tank missiles – up to 16 total
70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods –up to 76 total
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
Mk 77 fire bombs
77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
20 mm cannon
MK 76 practice bombs
BDU-33D/B practice bombs
MK 106 practice bombs
Survivability & Crashworthiness
The AH-1Z is as combat survivable as any other attack helicopter in the world. The aircraft has one of the most advanced countermeasure suites ever fielded on an attack helicopter, including the AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver, APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver, ALE-47 “Smart” Countermeasures Dispenser, and AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.

The AH-1Z incorporates the latest airframe technologies, such as energy attenuating crashworthy seats, energy-absorbing landing gear, self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems, fuel vapor inerting systems, mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.

Modern Technology
The AH-1Z is a 1997 design, and is being produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC right now – aircraft design doesn’t get any more modern than that! The AH-1Z brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, revolutionary new composite 4 bladed rotor system, powerful
GE 401 or 701C engines, the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world, fully integrated weapons, target sight system, avionics and communications systems, the most modern and user-friendly and user-effective cockpits ever created, and digital data link capability. Both front and rear cockpits are virtually identical. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.

Best Targeting System
The USMC AH-1Z has the best targeting system developed for of any attack helicopter in the world. The AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and provides the longest range of any helicopter sight in the world, while providing the lowest jitter and highest weapons accuracy possible. In addition, it is a completely passive and automatic system, able to scan the battlefield without emitting radar that can be tracked. It can positively identify and track multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system. The excellent picture quality allows the pilots to clearly see and identify targets at long ranges; the ability to identify targets is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The TSS provides the capability to designate targets day or night at the maximum effective range of the weapons system.

Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
An important functional element of the AH-1Z cockpit display is the TopOwl helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system. This helmet supports improved communication and reduces cockpit workload leading to improved mission effectiveness. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet currently available and in service, offering unparalleled supportability and the capacity of technology insertion as additional requirements develop. The TopOwl HMS/D combines both avionics functions with the aircrew life support and protection functions into a single unit.

Superior Air-to-Air Combat Capability
The AH-1Z can carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile for fire and forget capability. The Sidewinder guided missile is a supersonic weapon with infrared target detection, and a solid propellant motor that is one of the most capable missiles produced anywhere. The AH-1Z’s 20mm cannon is superior for air-to-air combat: the Cobra’s canon has a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory for better air-to-air accuracy, and can fire M50-series rounds designed specifically for air-to-air combat. These weapons, coupled with the AH-1Z’s high agility 4 bladed composite rotor system, the excellent pilot situational awareness provided via the most modern helicopter cockpit in the world, and high, maneuverable forward speed, make the AH-1Z a formidable air-to-air aircraft.

Maintainability
The AH-1Z is easily maintainable where it counts, on the battlefield. The AH-1Z continues Bell Helicopter’s tradition of being one of the most reliablehelicopters in the world. The AH-1Z was designed with the maintainer in mind. Maintainability features of the AH-1Z include:

Fault detection sensors that facilitate “on-condition” maintenance
Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
Better accessibility
Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
Less spares storage requirement
Modern Cockpit
The AH-1Z’s cockpits are the most modern, ergonomic and integrated of any attack helicopter in the world. Thirteen Marine pilots and an aircrew system advisory panel worked for 1-1/2 years in simulators and mockups to create this efficient man-machine interface. Identical front and rear cockpits of this tandem cockpit design provides the true ability to fly and fight from either cockpit, with no need to have separate training programs for front and back seaters. The AH-1Z enables interchangeable duty functions between these two crew stations through unique, stowable mission grip yokes and full accessibility for each crew member to all displays and controls within the integrated avionics and flight control systems. With the Hands on Collective and Stick (HOCAS) side-stick architecture, the pilots can perform most functions without removing their hands from the collective and cyclic flight controls. Large color multifunction displays combined with the moving-map technology and helmet mounted displays provide all the information the pilots require. The end result is that pilots have greater situational awareness, and can accomplish tasks and engage the enemy more accurately and quickly.

H1 Program Commonality
The AH-1Z and UH-1Y have 84% commonality with identical components. Just as the AH-1W is being rebuilt and redesigned into the AH-1Z, the US Marine Corps Huey helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The UH-1N or HH-1N can be rebuilt into the UH-1Y, which combines the traditional reliability of the Huey series with outstanding performance and state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics. For a modern military force seeking the highest return on its investments, the logical decision is to acquire a fleet of AH-1Zs for the armed mission and UH-1Ys for the utility mission. This excellent pair of aircraft is the most modern and capable of their type going into production today. They also share identical dynamics and nearly identical cockpits, and this commonality vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement costs, and training expenses required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. An additional benefit of commonalty is that dual-aircraft ratings require little investment in extra training.

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. has always had the well-deserved reputation for the best product support in the helicopter industry. A recent independent poll of helicopter operators conducted for Professional Pilot magazine rated Bell the best in product support for the 9th straight year. Bell helicopters have always had the reputation as the most reliable, best value, and hardest working helicopter available. Now, the Bell’s AH-1Z and UH-1Y combine Bell Helicopter’s traditional strengths of reliability and value with state-of-the-art technology, outstanding performance, and a reduced logistics tail.
http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.co.../bellAH-1Z.cfm

[plan_D]

Chinooks are good mine clearers too. Just kiddin' but my dad says when in the Gulf they came home with mine bits peppered in the bottom because the down draft set loads of mines off.

Those are some great pictures, adler. I love the Cobra, it's sleek and mean.



I also like this, RAH-66 Commanche, it's sad that they're giving up on it...or so they tell us.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

No you are correct the Army gave up on the Comanche. They decided to stay with the AH-64D Longbow, basically because it was cheaper.

Speaking of mines though. We have an interesting mod that we can attach to our Blackhawks. We only have a couple of them in our unit, my aircraft happens to be one of them. It is called the Volcano System and it dispenses mines. This basically converts the Blackhawk into a mine field layer. I dont know too much about the system because I have never actually used it and have only seen it installed once. All I know is that carries 950 Gator anit personell mines or anti vehical mines. Still it is a pretty quick way to lay mine fields if you had to.

Here are some interesting pics I took today of an AH-64A Apache at my camp in Iraq. It is unusual in that it is painted grey. Grey is better then the standard Green because it allows the aircraft to blend into the horizon better. Virtually every nation paints there aircraft grey inluding our Airforce, Navy, and Marines. We tried to get our Blackhawks painted Gray before we left Germany but it did not happen. Too bad I think it would have looked pretty sweet.

[DaveB.inVa]

I think Ive seen the mine dispenser your talking about. It looks like a rack of tubes mounted to the side of the helicopter.

I've got a cousin who served as a Blackhawk pilot through the 80's and into the 1st Gulf War. Hes a really cool guy and I've learned a lot about the Blackhawk. I know his first ride though was a Huey, don't know how long he was in it though.

I really like the Chinook too, that things a horse!

[HealzDevo]

I don't think it was just because it was cheaper that the Comanche was ditched. The Comanche was having major problems in coming online when the AH-64D Apache is technology they already have that works 100% and does the job well. By the way nice photos of the A model, which isn't quite as good as the D model in terms of strike-power and ability.

[HealzDevo]

The Commanche so I was hearing did have some major problems with weapons load-out, systems and airframe. While these could eventually have been solved, it was considered, best in the absence of a major threat, to stick with a proven helicopter that was a good multi-role helicopter and could do its tasks well, rather than go with a not so good stealth helicopter that was a tad overrated at the moment in terms of price. In short the US Army and others decided to cut their losses and stick with a proven system.

[plan_D]

The Apache looks sweet in grey, it looks even better in grey than green. Your Blackhawk would just look like a USN Seahawk if it were grey, surely.



The Lynx is the fastest helicopter in the world. It's only because the Chinook slung it.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by HealzDevo

I don't think it was just because it was cheaper that the Comanche was ditched. The Comanche was having major problems in coming online when the AH-64D Apache is technology they already have that works 100% and does the job well. By the way nice photos of the A model, which isn't quite as good as the D model in terms of strike-power and ability.

Which basically comes down to cost. The Comanche had problems just like every advanced aircraft does in its development stage, but the costs to get it online were too great.

The Longbow is really just an interem solution. An AH-64A has the same capability as the Longbow when it is accompanied with a OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. There are many problems with the Longbow. Our sister unit is an Apache unit and has Longbows and A models. The A models are able to fly more often because the Lonbows are always down for maintenance or broken. They have major electrical problems. The Lonbow takes twice as long to get its systems on line as the A model and the A model took 15 minutes! Atleast twice a week I have to fly out and rescue a broken Apache. For every hour that a Longbow flies it requires 8 hours of maintenance. Once there aircraft is in the air I would not want to mess with it, it is a great attack helicopter and the best of its kind but it has to get in the air first. It is like the first Apache Airstrike of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was a complete failure. They did not achieve there objective, 2 were shot down and all returned with major repairs required and riddled with holes. It is a very fragile aircraft, and that is one of many reasons why the 160th "NightStalkers" Special Operations Aviation Regiment will not use the Apache and uses Blackhawks with Hellfires and Mini Guns as well as OH-6 Little Birds and Chinooks.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by plan_D

The Apache looks sweet in grey, it looks even better in grey than green. Your Blackhawk would just look like a USN Seahawk if it were grey, surely.



The Lynx is the fastest helicopter in the world. It's only because the Chinook slung it.

You are right but I still wish they had repainted ours grey for survivability and because compared the green it would look like something new even if it would like like a Seahawk with modifications.