Whirly stingers: not cheap, but nasty.

The Vietnam War established a need for a fast, tandem-seat, heavily armed helicopter originally to serve as an escort and later as a platform for anti-tank guided weapons. The motivating scenario then switched to a future war in central Europe, involving thousands of Warsaw Pact tanks. The attack helicopter thus became a relatively heavy and expensively equipped aircraft to destroy multiple targets by day or night in adverse weather conditions.

Outside Nato there are many countries that face the possibility of a hostile armoured thrust, hence there is still a substantial market for a dedicated attack helicopter.

For example, the Turks, sandwiched between historically 'unfriendly' Greeks and a mixed bag of Islamists and Kurds, have now resurrected their requirement for attack helicopters (and tanks, by the way). Turkey first invited proposals in 1997, planning to acquire 145 such aircraft by 2010, mostly to be licence-built by Tusas Aerospace. In July 2000 the air arm of the Turkish Army chose the US Marine Corps' Bell AH-1Z KingCobra, modified to have a non-retractable wheeled landing gear in place of skids. However, in the course of negotiations, intractable problems arose over pricing and technology transfer.

Consideration therefore moved to Turkey's second choice, a two-seat derivative of the Kamov Ka-50. Designated Ka-50-2, this was to be developed in collaboration with the Lahav Division of IAI (Israel Aircraft Industries), which was to supply the avionics. Responding to Turkish demands, the project was modified firstly from side-by-side to tandem seating, then to have a 20 mm Giat M 621 cannon in place of the Russian 30 mm 2A42, and Nato standard 70 mm rockets replacing Russian 80 mm. It was named 'Erdogan', this being Turkish for 'warrior'.

In May 2004 Turkey formally terminated the study. However, in January 2005 a new attack helicopter acquisition programme was launched, based on a $1.5 billion plan to acquire 50 aircraft by direct purchase with an option on 41 more. The new type is to enter service by the end of 2008.

Although Kamov is expected to re-bid some form of Ka-50, it is understood that Rosoboronexport is backing the Mil Mi-28NE, the export version aircraft chosen by the Russian Air Force. Bell may well re-bid the AH-1Z and Boeing the AH-64, but the programme will also be competed by Europe's Agusta Westland A129 and Eurocopter Tiger, as well as by South Africa's Denel Rooivalk.

Following Singapore's order for 20 AH-64Ds in 1999, Malaysia has generated a requirement for up to twelve attack helicopters, but this is evidently not seen as a high priority. South Korea, which faces a more credible threat of armoured incursions than most countries, has earmarked $2.4 billion for the procurement of attack helicopters, but the contract is not expected to be signed until 2008. Taiwan had planned to place an order for 30 AH-64Ds or AH-1Zs in 2005, but funding is not now expected to be available until 2008.

The largest potential market for attack helicopters is China, which is known to have evaluated the Mil Mi-35 derivative of the ubiquitous Mi-24 assault helicopter, and is now reported to be studying the Mi-28NE. However, it may be noted that the Chinese interest has historically been to provide close support for both soldiers and marines, and that Kamov has more experience than Mil in producing a helicopter that can survive the corrosive atmosphere of maritime operations.

It may also be relevant that some years ago Denel proposed a ship-based version of the Rooivalk, and that the South African government is currently boosting both its aerospace industry and its links with China.

AgustaWestland A129

The AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta (Mongoose), which first flew in 1983, was the first European-designed combat helicopter to enter service, with deliveries to Italy's Air Cavalry starting in 1990. Equipped with two 660 kW Rolls-Royce Gem engines and a four-blade main rotor, the baseline A129 has a maximum take-off weight of 4600 kg. It is the lightest helicopter in this class, being designed for scout and escort duties. However, it has seen considerable operational experience, having served with the Italian Army in Albania, Bosnia, Eritrea, Kosovo, Macedonia, Somalia and now Iraq.

The export A129 Scorpion International first flew in 1995 and is capable of lifting up to 5100 kg, but it also has the highest power/weight ratio in its class, thanks to two 1025 kW LHTEC (R-R/Honeywell) CTS800-2 engines. It has an all-composite five-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor, an uprated transmission, a three-barrel General Dynamics 20 mm M197 cannon in an Otobreda TM197B chin turret and provisions for four lightweight Raytheon Stinger air-to-air missiles.

In order to maintain the performance of the A129 Scorpion International under hot/high conditions, the company offers the 1185 kW CTS800-50 as an optional fit. These engines also make possible the carriage of external fuel, extending endurance to 3.5 hours and allowing it to escort a fast transport helicopter such as the NH90. Maximum speed of the standard export version is 290 km/hr. Range is 560 km, or 1200 km using external fuel tanks. In addition to Turkey, the A129 is being offered to the US Army for its armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH) programme.

The Italian Army has ordered a total of 60 A129s, of which the final 15 are being built to A129CBT standard. The last is due for delivery in 2006. The A129CBT has some of the improvements developed for the export version, including modernised avionics with a second-generation thermal imager, an improved self-protection suite and satellite navigation, but (as currently planned) it will retain the less powerful Gem engines. Nor does it have the new version's provisions for the relatively expensive Hellfire anti-tank missile. Instead, it retains the Raytheon Tow-2A, although the Italian Army is also considering the Rafael Spike-ER, which has fibre-optic guidance and a range of eight kilometres. The original 45 Italian Army A129s are to be brought to a similar standard by 2007.

Eurocopter Tiger

With a maximum gross weight of 6100 kg, the Franco-German Eurocopter EC665 Tiger is the next attack helicopter in increasing order of weight. The Tiger first flew in 1991, 16 years after the Yah-64 Apache prototype. In 1999 the first production contract was signed, covering 160, to be divided equally between France and Germany. The two armies formally accepted the first Tiger deliveries in March 2005.

The Tiger is unusual in having the pilot in the front cockpit, ahead of the gunner. It was designed in two basic forms: an antitank version (the German UHT and the French Hac), and a fire support version (the French Hap, which provided the basis for the planned export HCP). The antitank Tiger UHT/Hac is distinguished by its Sagem Osiris mast-mounted sighting system, and it has provisions for the MBDA Hot 3 and Eads-LFK Trigat antitank guided weapons. The fire support Hap has a Sagem Strix roof-mounted sighting system and a chin-mounted 30 mm Giat M 781 cannon in a THL 30 turret. All Tiger variants have provisions for Stinger or Mistral air-to-air missiles and 68/70 mm unguided rockets. The antitank Tiger UHT, featured on the cover of this issue and without chin turret, will be able to carry a 12.7 mm gun pod.

When fitted with a roof-mounted sighting system, the Tiger has a maximum cruise speed of 280 km/hr. This is reduced to 260 km/hr in the case of the anti-tank version with mast-mounted sights. It has a ferry range of 800 km.

The 1999 launch order was based on 70 Haps and 10 Hacs for France, and 80 UHTs for Germany. The long-term two-nation total was originally planned as 427 units, but (following the disappearance of the Soviet threat) it could well be limited to around 220.

The swing to out-of-area actions has made the dedicated anti-tank Tiger less appropriate to operational demands. In addition, its mast-mounted sight would have to be removed for it to fit in a transport aircraft. France has therefore decided to abandon the Hac (and the second half of the Hap batch) in favour of a new Had multi-role standard, based on Spanish requirements. Under a revised contract, France is now to have 40 Haps and 40 Hads. The Had will have 14 per cent more power, with MTU/Turbomeca/Rolls-Royce MTR390 Enhanced engines, and an improved roof-mounted sighting system that can guide anti-tank missiles.

The first export customer was Australia, which in 2001 ordered 22 examples of the Tiger ARH, based on the Tiger Hap, but with a laser designator to allow operation of the Lockheed Martin AGM-114M Hellfire guided missile. It has a new Thales communication system and datalink. Deliveries from the Australian assembly line began in late 2004. Full clearance is scheduled for 2006, and the first squadron is to be operational by June 2007. Final delivery will take place in April 2008.

In September 2003 Spain announced its intention to buy 24 Tigers, and in December 2004 an 'instruction to proceed' was signed, clearing the way for development, production and support contracts. Spain is now to receive six Tiger Haps (subsequently to be converted to Hads) and 18 Hads. This version of Had is to have a passive automatic target acquisition system, which may also be adopted by France. Like Germany, Spain will use the Trigat-LR missile. All Spanish Hads will be assembled in-country, with deliveries scheduled for 2007 and 2008. The manufacture of Tiger tail booms is to be transferred to Spain.

Boeing AH-64 Apache

The AH-64A Apache, designed for day/night clear weather operation, first flew in 1975 and achieved operational capability with the US Army in 1986. It was first employed in Panama in 1989, and proved its value in the 1991 Gulf War, when the service deployed 288 to the theatre. They destroyed over 500 tanks and numerous other Iraqi assets. America's Apache has subsequently been deployed to Djibouti, Afghanistan and back to Iraq. A total of 821 AH-64As were produced, including 797 for the US Army Some ex-US Army aircraft are included in the export list of 36 AH-64As for Egypt, 20 for Greece, 52 for Israel, 12 for Saudi Arabia and 30 for the United Arab Emirates.

A total of 514 Apache Longbows have been ordered by the US Army, including 13 new aircraft and 501 remanufactured AH-64As as Longbows with 1400 kW T700-GE-701C engines and APG-78 Longbow radars. The future of the US Army's remaining AH-64As (around 200), now with US Army Reserve and National Guard components, is being discussed. The US Army AH-64D has served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 400 'As' have been upgraded to Longbow configuration. Some 217 Longbows are being converted to AH-64D Block IIs which, from May 2005, have Arrowhead advanced sighting systems--96 more are being considered for upgrade to Longbow configuration. Deployment of Block IIs began in early 2004. Current production continues through 2006 on US Army Block II Apache Longbows.

Export orders for the AH-64D consist of twelve for Greece (with four on option), nine for Israel (which is also to convert some of its AH-64As to give at least 18 AH-64D 'Sarafs'), 16 for Kuwait (the first of 16 was handed over in August 2005), 30 for the Netherlands, 20 for Singapore and 67 for the United Kingdom (with 1565 kW Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 engines). In addition, Japan had planned to have 55 built by Fuji, with deliveries from early 2006, but it currently appears that purchases will be restricted to only one squadron. The Egyptian AH-64As are to be upgraded to AH-64D standard, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may well follow suit. All of these export AH-64Ds have provisions for the Longbow radar, but so far only the British and Singaporean aircraft have had it installed on delivery.

The planned Block III AH-64D will represent a major upgrade and arises from cancellation of the RAH-66 Comanche programme in February 2004. Modifications include 1490 kW T700-GE-701D engines, composite rotor blades, fly-by-wire controls and a facility to allow the crew to control drones. Boeing is currently receiving risk-reduction funding for the Block III, and the US Army plans to seek approval in March 2006 for full-scale development. The first delivery is scheduled for June 2010. Plans call for 597 Block IIIs to be delivered over six annual production lots, ending in FY2015. Beyond this, there are reports of a proposed Block IV with completely new engines and active countermeasures against RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades).

Today's AH-64D has a primary mission gross weight of 7530 kg, but it can be operated at up to 9990 kg in a ferry mission, giving a deployment range of 1500 kin. Its maximum speed is 260 km/hr when carrying eight Hellfire anti-tank missiles and four MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles.

Bell AH-1Z

The Bell Helicopter Textron AH-1Z is basically a considerably upgraded AH-1W SuperCobra (see our title picture), with a four-blade main rotor, two 1260 kW General Electric T700-GE-401 engines, the Lockheed Martin 'Hawkeye' Target Sight System (TSS), two extra weapon stations, a 'glass' cockpit, a Thales TopOwl helmet-mounted display/sight and increased internal fuel capacity. It has a primary mission weight of 7680 kg and a maximum gross of 8400 kg. Maximum cruise speed is 295 km/hr, and ferry range is 685 kin. The first of three AH-1Z prototypes flew in December 2000, and six additional AH-1Ws are currently being converted.

The US Marine Corps currently plans to have 180 AH-1Ws remanufactured to AH-1Z standard by 2014. The AH-1Zs will have 84 per cent commonality with the service's 100 UH-1Y upgraded Hueys, 90 of which are now to be new-build. It is still possible that most AH-1Zs will also be new.

The US Army currently has over 250 AH-1Fs in storage, available for sale or upgrading to AH-1Z standard. Bahrain is reported to be interested in buying 17. Other export possibilities include Turkey and Taiwan. Longbow International (a joint subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) is offering a pod-mounted version of the Longbow radar from the AH-64D, together with the AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire, both for use on the AH-1 series. A further option is the use of 1340 kW T700-GE-401C engines for improved hot/high performance.

Denel Rooivalk

The Denel 'Rooivalk' (Red Kestrel) was developed to meet the needs of the South African Air Force (SAAF), which had extensive operational experience in Angola. The first squadron is now in service. SAAF experience resulted in the Rooivalk being designed to take off under hot/high conditions, at an elevation of 5000 ft and at a temperature 25 deg C above standard. It is also designed to have crew armour, to provide for a reduced in-flight workload and feature engine air filters as standard fit (due to the dust problem often encountered in southern Africa). It seems likely that, benefiting from low labour rates in South Africa, the Rooivalk can be sold for less than its US and European competitors. Denel had hopes of selling the aircraft to Malaysia but (as noted earlier) this purchase has been deferred.

The Rooivalk is powered by two 1375 kW Turbomeca Makila engines. It has a maximum take-off weight of 8750 kg, a maximum cruise speed of 240 km/hr and a ferry range of 700 km, or 1100 km with external tanks.

Kamov Ka-50

Russia's Ka-50 'Black Shark' is unique among attack helicopters in being a single-seater and having coaxial main rotors and an ejection seat (Zvezda K-37-800). It is likewise the only helicopter with a cannon that is trunnion-mounted on its fuselage side, moving only in pitch. Kamov argues that this produces a more rigid mount than a turret, giving more accurate fire, and that the Ka-50 can turn in azimuth as quickly as a turret such as that of the Mi-28. The gun is the same 30 mm dual-feed 2A42 (developed for the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle) as used by the Mi-28, but the Ka-50 has 460 rounds, compared to the latter's 250. To put these figures into perspective, the AH-64 has no less than 1200 rounds of 30 mm ammunition for its Alliant Techsystems M230LF Chain Gun.

Like the more conventional Mi-28, the Ka-50 was intended to become a replacement for the Mil-24/35 assault helicopter, which has a gunner and pilot in tandem cockpits and a cabin that accommodates eight fully armed troops. Despite its success (there are still over 1500 Mi-24/35s flying in more than 20 countries), in late 1976, seven years after the Mi-24 had flown, but only one year after the debut of the US Army's AH-64, the Soviets decided that a dedicated attack helicopter was required.

Kamov judged that modern avionics made it possible for the attack mission to be carried out effectively by a single-seat helicopter, operating like a fixed-wing single-seat A-10 or Su-25. It was also felt that co-axial rotors, which eliminate the power loss associated with a tail rotor and facilitate operation in small spaces, were compatible with extreme manoeuvres. Other helicopter experts had doubts about this assessment. There has been at least one fatal Ka-50 accident (in 1998) in which the blades of the two rotors collided, but Kamov may equally argue that there have been accidents involving Mil helicopters in which the main rotor struck the tail boom.

The first of two Kamov V-80 technology demonstrators flew in 1982, and in 1987 this design was selected in preference to the Mi-28, although funding for the latter's development was continued in the hope of attracting export orders. The first of twelve production Ka-50s flew in 1991 and deliveries began in 1993, but operational experience in Chechnya in 2001 proved disappointing. In January 2003, control of the aviation element of the ground forces was transferred to the Russian Air Force, which decided that the main production orders would go to the Mi-28N. Funding for the Ka-50 ceased in 2005.

However, there is still reported to be Russian interest in acquiring a dozen examples of the two-seat Ka-52 'Alligator', which has side-by-side seating, for command and control missions over the battlefield. There have also been reports that twelve Ka-52 attack helicopters will be acquired by Yemen, and that it is also being offered to South Korea. There were earlier reports of interest from Slovakia and Myanmar.

Mil Mi-28

Although the Mi-28 (which also flew in 1982) was thought to have lost the domestic market to the Ka-50 in 1987, in 1995 the Mil aircraft was shortlisted alongside the AH-64 in Sweden, which praised its survivability and low-level penetration capability. In 2005 the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force announced that the Mi-28N (nochnoy = night) 'Night Hunter' had been selected as the next generation attack helicopter, and that up to 50 would be acquired before 2010. The longer-term domestic total may go as high as 300 units. The Mi28N differs from the original in having a mast-mounted millimetre-wave radar, new main rotor blades and a new gearbox. A radar-equipped Mi-28 flew in 1996, and the first of three new Rostvertol-built Mi-28Ns had its maiden flight in March 2004.

The Mi-28N has two 1640 kW Klimov TV3 engines, although these are later to be replaced by the same company's 1790 kW VK-2500s. It has a normal maximum take-off weight of 11,000 kg, which is increased to 12,100 kg for ferry missions. The Mi-28 has a maximum speed of 305 km/hr and boasts a ferry range of 460 km, or up to a healthy 1000 km with external fuel tanks.

Weapon Newcomer

Israel Aircraft Industries has developed a new ground attack weapon in the form of an adapted tank-fired missile, the Lahat, for an Asian Mil helicopter operator. The laser-guided, eight-kilometre range missile weighs 13 kg and a quadruple launcher weighs 80 kg.