Best attack helicopter

[Traderd]

The AH-64 and the AH-1W were originally designed and used for very different missions. AH-64's were designed for deep attack while the AH-1W operated close in, in direct support of troops. The Army's concept of deep attack initially worked well in the first Gulf War but proved disastorous the second time around in Iraq. AH-64's now perform escort and close support duties just like the AH-1W but with all sorts of complex sensors they needed for the deep attack mission that they no longer perform. Hands down the AH-1W has to be the better aircraft for this mission. Less complex, lighter, easier to maintain, and does better in combat conditions.

It always seemed the -64 was designed primarily to keep the 15 Romeos very busy....

 

[Hobit]

The Best Attack Helicopter is the one over head and properly supporting the Infantry.

My experience in them ended about 10 years ago, so it's a little dated. I just remember that everyone thought other aircraft sucked and theirs was the only one that could win the war.

I guess it depends on the type of fight and/or location.

I loved flying the AH-64A, it is my all time fave aircraft out of about 20+ different ones I've had a chance to fly; from little fabric covered bug smashers to Light Jets on the FW side, and R-22's - up to the 'Big Rig'(AH-64A). At the time I flew the 64A, the only things I wanted changed were an Updated Visionics suite (M-TADS) and an ILS receiver for more IFR capabilities(i.e. Garmin 430).

I would have loved to fly the AH-1 (The 25th was giving up their AH-1s when I was in IERW) but if I was fighting in Fulda I would have much rather been slinging Hellfires instead of TOW's.

My understanding of the -64D's is that they are great but heavy.

A great training exercise I had the honor of participating in was training to operate in 'Pink Teams'. I have to admit we (Gun guys) were some what reticent at first but were VERY gung ho on the idea after working with the -58D's. It was damn effective and we were psyched to take that TTP to AFG. However, due to density altitude issues the Cav troop was pulled. That sucked, we were quite upset about that. Friends that I have who flew 58D's in Iraq got to execute the Pink Team fight with 64D's and said it was unstoppable.

I really hope Uncle Sam gives those folks a new Scout airframe.

Why they separated the airframes into different units, I don't know. Great capability when used together.

 

[rajflyboy]

The Best Attack Helicopter is the one over head and properly supporting the Infantry.

My experience in them ended about 10 years ago, so it's a little dated. I just remember that everyone thought other aircraft sucked and theirs was the only one that could win the war.

I guess it depends on the type of fight and/or location.

I loved flying the AH-64A, it is my all time fave aircraft out of about 20+ different ones I've had a chance to fly; from little fabric covered bug smashers to Light Jets on the FW side, and R-22's - up to the 'Big Rig'(AH-64A). At the time I flew the 64A, the only things I wanted changed were an Updated Visionics suite (M-TADS) and an ILS receiver for more IFR capabilities(i.e. Garmin 430).

I would have loved to fly the AH-1 (The 25th was giving up their AH-1s when I was in IERW) but if I was fighting in Fulda I would have much rather been slinging Hellfires instead of TOW's.

My understanding of the -64D's is that they are great but heavy.

A great training exercise I had the honor of participating in was training to operate in 'Pink Teams'. I have to admit we (Gun guys) were some what reticent at first but were VERY gung ho on the idea after working with the -58D's. It was damn effective and we were psyched to take that TTP to AFG. However, due to density altitude issues the Cav troop was pulled. That sucked, we were quite upset about that. Friends that I have who flew 58D's in Iraq got to execute the Pink Team fight with 64D's and said it was unstoppable.

I really hope Uncle Sam gives those folks a new Scout airframe.

Why they separated the airframes into different units, I don't know. Great capability when used together.

very good post

I could never figure out why the Army went to single type bird units. That was baffling to me.

 

[stupidpilot]

A-CH-47 was the best ever. Guns a Go-Go Baby!

http://www.chinook-helicopter.com/chinook/gunsagogo.html

 

[Dave40k]

Zulu Cobra.

AH1S.

It takes a man to face death on one engine.