HELICOPTERS / ROTARY WING ASSETS
Helicopters perform numerous vital functions on the battlefield, like heavy lift, abseiling, fast roping, medivac and airborne assault to tactical movement. They get into places that vehicles can’t resupply FOBs and get casualties back quickly within that “Golden Hour”
They are a useful asset to you as a soldier, the following section is designed to serve as a ready reckoner, to enable you to identify them and to know their capabilities as well as limitations. All the helicopters listed here can operate by day and night.
- - Apache AH-64
- - Puma
- - Gazelle
- - Chinook CH-47
- - Merlin
- - Wildcat MK1
THE BOEING AH64 APACHE
Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter designed to hunt and destroy tanks, it has a crew of two, with the pilot sitting behind and above the co-pilot/gunner.
Apache can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds. It carries a variety of weapons including rockets, Hellfire missiles and M230mm chain gun
The 30mm chain gun, which is carried between the main landing gear, is slaved to the gunner’s helmet, the gun tracks the head movements to point where he looks.
It has four hardpoints mounted on the side wing pylons, typically carrying a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire and Hydra 70 rocket pods.
Both the cockpit and fuel tanks are armoured so that the aircraft will remain flyable even after receiving a burst from a DSHk?
Apache carries weapons on its two stub-wing pylons, which also have mounting points in an emergency can be used for harnessing personnel to the wings. Extra fuel tanks can be carried on the pylons to increase range.
Targeting information can be passed from one AH to others via the Fire Control Radar modem, allowing a group of Apaches to fire on targets detected by the FCR of one helicopter. Because the radome is mounted high above the heli, it can id targets and then pop down behind cover, and engage those targets from behind cover.
GAZELLE
Gazelle nicknamed the “whistling chicken leg” is a light aerial observation and reconnaissance helicopter.
Having only one engine means it is not as powerful as others, but its lightweight chassis means it is extremely agile and has unparalleled visibility from the cockpit.
It has served as a helicopter pilot trainer, for communications duties, VIP transport, Air Observation Post (AOP) for directing artillery fire, Airborne Forward Air Controller (ABFAC) directing ground-attack aircraft, casualty evacuation, liaison, and command and control, and communications relay.
THE PUMA
Puma is a battlefield helicopter that provides both troop and load movement. The aircraft can carry up to 16 fully-equipped troops, or up to two tonnes of freight carried either internally or as an under-slung load.
In the medivac role, it can carry up to six stretchers. The normal crew consists of two pilots or a pilot and a weapons systems officer for self-defence. The Puma also has a defensive-aids suite.
This suite includes an integrated radar warning receiver, a missile-approach warning system, an infrared jammer and automatic chaff and flare dispensing equipment.
In addition, two cabin-mounted GPMGs can be fitted for use by the crewmen. Puma can be fitted for both abseiling and fast-roping.
THE BOEING CH-47 CHINOOK
Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem rotor, soft-skinned, heavy-lift support helicopter.
It has a top speed of 196 mph (315 km) and is one of the few older aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, that is still in front line service.
Its primary roles include troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply.
It has a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external-cargo hooks.
The CH47 is capable of supporting abseiling as well as fast roping platforms, both from the rear ramp as well as the side door.
Chinook can carry a diverse range of bulk cargo, either internally or under-slung, such as fuel pods, netted ammunition, artillery, Land Rovers or light-strike vehicles.
THE MERLIN HC3
Merlin is a multi-role medium support helicopter capable of all-weather, day and night operation.
Merlin has one of the most comprehensive defensive aids suites fitted to any helicopter in the world. Laser warning receiver, missile approach warners and directional infrared countermeasures equipment.
Its computers enable precise position data received from GPS to accurately navigate anywhere in the world.
Merlin can be equipped with extra fuel tanks to extend it’s range, and is capable of air-to-air refuelling. An inbuilt vibration-damping system reduces the level of noise and vibration inside the cabin, which has reduced crew fatigue.
The Merlin is able to carry a diverse range of bulk cargo, either internally or under-slung. Cargo can include artillery, Land Rovers or light-strike vehicles and over five tonnes of freight. The spacious cabin can take 24 fully equipped combat troops or 16 stretchers for casualty evacuation.
WILDCAT MK1
Wildcat is battlefield reconnaissance helicopter that will replace both Gazelle and Lynx Mk 7 and Lynx Mk 9 is expected to enter service from 2014 and will be used for battlefield reconnaissance, casualty evacuation and troop transport.
Wildcat will incorporate a range of technological improvements including configurable cockpit display, networked enabled capability, more powerful engines, better defensive aids and a new tail rotor system. Technology improvements mean that the aircraft will have greater reliability
The Army variant of Wildcat will perform a range of tasks on the battlefield including reconnaissance, command and control, transportation of troops and material, and the provision of force protection. Equipped with Rolls-Royce engines it will be significantly more powerful than the current Lynx enabling it to operate in extreme hot conditions and high altitudes.