Note all history is derived from the C&C Roleplay canon.

Overview

The first practical helicopters appeared in the 1930's, and saw limited use in World War II. Liaison aircraft such as the Polikarpov Po-2 and the Piper Cub proved reasonably successful as ground attack aircraft.

By the 1950's helicopters were accepted by various militaries as liaison aircraft, replacing types such as the Po-2 and the Cub. As piston engine gave way to lighter and more powerful turboshaft engines, heavier designs of medium utility could be put forth. Designs such as the UH-2 Trojan and the Ni-2 Baudo Guan were modified into attack helicopters. While moderately successful in counter-insurgency operations, their lack of armor and speed made them vulnerable in high-threat environments. A need for a more heavily armed helicopter gunship was desired.

List of Entrants

Auruna, Federal Republic of

Berus, Federal Republic of

Type: AH-20 Enigma
Manufacturer: Nirvash Tech Aviation
Operators: Federal Republic of Berus, Republic of Aurelia
Crew: 2
Speed: 285mph cruise, 305mph dash
Powerplant: 2 × Kitami AE4A-GE-20 turboshaft, 6,350 shp (4,735 kW)
Armament:
- Gun: 1x 20mm AAT-20/3 in chin turret
- Hardpoints: 6
- Rockets: Hydra 70
- Missiles: TOW missiles, AGM-50 Chaser missiles, AGM-53L Shock missiles, AA-9 Semi-Active Air to Air Missile, AA-10KR BVRAAM Active Radar Air to Air Missile, MPM-1L Shockwave Missiles
- Torpedoes: Mk.203 HEAP Anti-Shipping Torpedo, Mk.208 Heavy Anti-Sub Torpedo
- Special: PTLS-8 Tactical Laser System, Mk.340 Lightweight Nuclear Device, Mk.034A Depth Charges
Avionics/Electronics: ARA/F-67 AESA, AGR/SC-80 Fire-Control Radar, AGR/GS-5 Ground Scanning Radar, RSM/k-30 GFAS, SIRFS-4, FLIR Pods, IHADSS-6, TADS/PNVS, Passive Infrared Countermeasures
Notes: Combination helicopter

Korea, Federation of

Type: AHK-99C Falcon / Renkal
Manufacturer: Busan Helicopter Works
Operators: Federation of Korea and Republic of Aurelia
Crew: 2
Speed: 289 mph (max) 321 mph (never exceeded)
Powerplant: 1x 3,500 HP Nanchang Turbine-A
Armament:
- Gun: turreted 30mm chain gun
- Hard Points: 6
Combination of - - >
Mk 10 Rocket Pods (7 per)
HT-1 30mm gun pod
Mk 200 LGB
Mk 95 LGB
AT-111 ATGMs (up to four per hard point)
AT-122 ATGMs (up to two per hard point)
Mk 45 Torpedo
Mk 90 ASM
ASM-12 Guardian II (up to two per hard point)
Mk 120 Tactical Strike Ordnance (small nuclear bomb)
Electronics: FLIR turret, F-1 tracking sight, M12M belly mounted sonar, M17M ground scan radar, M9Z EWK, M19F infrared scanning system, and F-2 mast mounted sight.
Note: Combination helicopter

Type: AHK-100A/B/C Jupiter
Manufacturer: Busan Helicopter Works
Operators: Federation of Korea, Syllix Alliance, Republic of South AFrica, Republic of Aurelia
Crew: 2-4 (possible door gunners)
Accommodations: 9 infantrymen can be carried (seated) in rear compartment.
Speed: 167 mph (max) 198 mph (never exceeded)
Powerplant: 1x 4,000 HP Nachang Turbine-F
Armament:
- Gun:
*A - single fixed 30mm 6 barrelled Gatling cannon
*B - turreted 7.62x54R Minigun or turreted 30mm chain gun
*C - turreted 30mm chain gun
(Door gunner weaponry varies)
- Hardpoints: 4
Combination of - - >
Mk 10 Rocket Pods (seven per)
HT-1 30mm gun pod
Mk 200 LGB
AT-111 ATGMs (up to four per hard point)
AT-122 ATGMs (up to two per hard point)
Mk 45 Torpedo
Mk 90 ASM
ASM-12 Guardian II (up to two per hard point)
Electronics:
All models: FLIR turret, F-1 tracking sight, M12M belly mounted sonar, M15R ground scan radar
- C model has F-2 mast mounted sight and M17M ground scan radar.
AT-111 ATGMs (up to four per hard point)
AT-122 ATGMs (up to two per hard point)
Mk 45 Torpedo
Mk 90 ASM
ASM-12 Guardian 2 (up to two per hard point)
Electronics:
FLIR turret, F-1 tracking sight, M12M belly mounted sonar, M17M ground scan radar, M9Z EWK, M19F infrared scanning system, and F-2 mast mounted sight.

Type: AHK-102A Eagle
Manufacturer(s): Kazan Helicopters Korean and Busan Helicopter Works
Operators: Federation of Korea
Crew: 2
Speed: 197 (max) 249 (never exceeded)
Powerplant: 2x MiG-4 1,700 HP turbines
Armament:
- Gun: turreted 30mm chain gun
- Hard points: 4 + 2 wing rails
Combination of - - >
Mk 10 Rocket Pods (7 per)
Mk 334 Rocket Pods (28 per)
Mk 200 LGB
AT-111 ATGMs (up to four per hard point)
AT-122 ATGMs (up to four per hard point)
Mk 90 ASM
Mk 50 LGM
ASM-12 Guardian 2 (up to two per hard point, can be used on wing rails.)
Electronics:
FLIR turret, F-3 tracking sight, F-2 mast mounted sight, M19F infrared scanning system, M20A ground scan radar, M80A EWK, and M18T ground scan radar.

Type: AH-38 Python
Manufacturer: Hyundai Group
Operators: Federation of Korea
Crew: 2 pilot and co-pilot, but can fly with only one pilot
Accommodations: 6-8 passengers, and 3-5 tons of cargo either towed or on the inside
Speed: +200mph
Powerplant: Coaxial Rotor 2x KP-800hp turboshaft
Armament:
- Gun: 2x .50cal minigun or 2x 7.62x51mm minigun
- Hardpoints: 6 hardpoints, 3 on each wing
- Rockets: 2x 70mm rocket pods
- Missiles: either air to ground missiles for precision attacks or air to air missile for self defence
Avionics/Electronics: Radar jammer, electronic scrambler, connected computer system to connect to allied forces

Lanzarrian Federation

Type: XAH-536 Dominator
Role: Heavy Attack Helicopter
Manufacturer: Ryuko Design Bureau
Crew: 2 [pilot and co-pilot/gunner]
Speed: 274mph, 180+mph average
Powerplant: 2x ZK-03/H superturbo, 2750hp
Armament: See Lanzarrian Helicopter Armament Subsystems
- Gun: GsH-230 30mm chain autocannon OR GsH-61 20mm tri-barreled rotary autocannon
- Hardpoints: Up to four, extra one on wingtips totalling of six hardpoints
- Rockets: Cerberus 35, Slark 70, Slark 70-Cluster, Cerberus 35-Incendiary, Grom 50, Grom 50-Shockwave
- Missiles:
RK-117 Hellthorn [ standard anti-ground missile]
ARK-184 Krela [short-range, highly manueverable, semi radar active, air to air]
ARK-151 Kira [long range, radar active, air to air]
RK-666 Blackthorne [ heavy anti-ground missile with tungsten penetrator]
NRK-0XX Genie [nuclear dual-target missile]
SRK-066 Nameless [omni-target missile, 360 tracking, highly manueverable]
SAO-033 Starburst Stream [omni-directional, six target air-to-air missile]
SUB-337 Moby [anti-ship/anti-submarine missile]
Avionics/Electronics: [REDACTED]

Malaya, Federal States of

Type: HAH-121 Albatross
Manufacturer: Electrode Corps
Operators: Federal States of Malaysia
Crew: 2, side by side, 4 with side gunnes
Top Speed: 82mph
Weight: 18t
Powerplant: 1x 8000hp, 2000ft/lbs turboprop engine
Armour: Duralumin composite, classified composition
Hardpoints: 6
Max Armaments:
42x 25lbs HVHE Unguided Rockets or 12x 250lbs Joust HSMs or 6x 500lbs Blitz LGMs on the hardpoints
2x Side Machine Guns
20x LVHE Unguided Rockets, hidden in the sides of the HAH
Electronics: classified

Paternian Republic

Type: OAH-3 Scout
Manufacturer: Dragon Industries
Operators: Paternian Republic, Republic of Aurelia, Federal Republic of Berus,
Crew: 1-2
Accommodations: 4 + 6 in external benches (use of external benches would take the place of Helicopter Armament Subsystem) or 1,000lbs of cargo
Speed: 180mph
Powerplant: 1x Bandit 11-series turbine, 1100hp
Armament: See Paternian Helicopter Armament Subsystems
- Gun: Up to 2 fixed M134 Minigun, M60C, or AN/M3 Browning, up to 2 flexible M134 Minigun, M60C, or AN/M3 Browning
- Hardpoints: 2
- Rockets: Hydra 70, CRV-70
- Missiles: TOW series in single or double launchers
Avionics/Electronics: None, optional FLIR turret
Countermeasures: Optional flare and chaff dispensers

Type: MH-2 Trojan Horse
Manufacturer: Bandit Aircraft
Operators: Paternian Republic, Republic of Aurelia, Federal Republic of Berus (former), Lanzarrian Federation, Union of South American States
Crew: 1-4
Accommodations: 14, or up to 4,000lbs of cargo
Speed: 130mph, 170mph with Gemini upgrade package
Powerplant: 1x Bandit 11-series turbine, 1100hp OR 2x Cedco T8 turbines, 800hp each with Gemini upgrade package
Armament: See Paternian Helicopter Armament Subsystems
- Gun: Up to 2 fixed 7.62mm M134 Minigun, 7.62mm M60C, or 12.7mm AN/M3, up to 2 flexible M134 Minigun, M60C, or AN/M3 Browning
- Hardpoints: 2
- Rockets: Hydra 70, CRV-70
- Missiles: TOW series in single or double launchers
- Torpedoes: Mk 46 (Aurelia and Paternian Navy)
Avionics/Electronics: None, optional FLIR turret and anti-submarine warfare kit (magnetic anomaly detector and dipping sonar)
Countermeasures: Optional flare and chaff dispensers

Type: AH-2 Spartan
Manufacturer: Bandit Aircraft
Operators: Paternian Republic, Republic of Aurelia
Crew: 2
Speed: 190mph, 210mph with Gemini upgrade package
Powerplant: 1x Bandit 11-series turbine, 1100hp OR 2x Cedco T8 turbines, 800hp each with Gemini upgrade package
Armament: See Paternian Helicopter Armament Subsystems
- Gun: 1x 7.62mm M134 minigun OR 1x 20mm M61 Vulcan in chin turret OR 1x 30x173mm M15A1 rotary cannon fixed underbelly, gun pods with M60C, M134 minigun, AN/M3 Browning, GAU-19, or M15A1 cannon can be mounted.
- Hardpoints: 4
- Rockets: Hydra 70, CRV-70
- Missiles: TOW series in single, double, or quadruple launchers
Avionics/Electronics: FLIR turret
Countermeasures: Optional flare dispensers, chaff dispensers, and optional jammer pods

Type: MH-65D Shadowhawk
Manufacturer: Dragon Industries
Operators: Paternian Republic, Republic of Aurelia, Federal Republic of Berus, United Republic of Awwam, Lanzarrian Federation,
Crew: 1-4
Accommodations: 14, or up to 4,500lbs of cargo
Speed: 220mph
Powerplant: 2x Cedco T12 turbines, 1200hp each
Armament: See Paternian Helicopter Armament Subsystems
- Gun: Up to 2 flexible M134 Minigun, M60C, or AN/M3 Browning
- Hardpoints: 4 with External Stores Support System
- Rockets: Hydra 70, CRV-70
- Missiles: TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-92A Stinger in single, double, or quadruple launchers
- Torpedoes: Mk 46 (Aurelia and Paternian Navy)
Avionics/Electronics: None, optional FLIR turret and ASW kit (magnetic anomaly detection and dipping sonar)
Countermeasures: Integral flare and chaff dispensers, and jammers

Type: AH-58 Devastator
Manufacturer: Bandit Aircraft
Operators: Paternian Republic, Lanzarrian Federation, Republic of Aurelia
Crew: 2
Speed: 230mph
Powerplant: 2x Cedco T12 turbines, 1200hp each
Armament: See Paternian Helicopter Armament Subsystems
- Gun: 1x 30x140mm M15A2 cannon
- Hardpoints: 4
- Rockets: Hydra 70, CRV-70
- Missiles: TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-92A Stinger in single, double, or quadruple launchers
Avionics/Electronics: AN/APG-98 Crossbow Targeting Radar, FLIR camera,
Countermeasures: Integral flare and chaff dispensers, jammer pods optional

Syllix Alliance

Type: SPH-01 Hopper
Manufacturer: Belli Helicopters
Operators: Syllix Alliance, Unified Republic of Awwam, Federal States of Malaya
Crew: 2
Speed: 250mph, 450mph (never exceeded)
Powerplant: x2 HJ-20 Turbojet, x1 Belli HT-160 2000 HP
Armament: x6 rocket pods, x4 ATGM
Gun: x2 30mm HVM-56 rotary cannon
Rocket: Mark.25 rocket pods, Mark,15 rocket pods
Missile: SPM-25 Ground attack missile, SPM-50 medium range air attack missile, SPM-20 medium range air attack missile, SPM-27 long range air attack missile
Hard points: 4+6 wing rails
Electronics: GS-20 Ground scanning radar, FLIR pod, Infrared scanner, side and rear mounted early warning system

Union of Socialist Soviet Republics

Type: Ka-58
Manufacturer: Kamov
Operators: USSR
Crew: 1
Top Speed: 220mph
Weight: 7,700 kg unloaded
Powerplant: 2 × Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft, 2,400 shp (1,800 kW) each
Armour: TT composite, classified composition
Hardpoints: 6
Max Armaments:
1× mobile semi-rigid 30 mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon (460 rounds total, dual feeding AP or HE-Frag)
Rockets: 80 × 80 mm S-8 rockets and 20 x 122 mm S-13 rocket,
Missiles: 2 × APU-6 Missile racks, able to accommodate a total of 12 9K121 Vikhr anti-tank missiles, Vympel R-73 (NATO: AA-11 Archer) air-to-air missiles, Kh-25 semi-active laser guided tactical air-to-ground missiles
Bombs: 4 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs or 2x 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs,
Other: 23 mm UPK-23-250 gun pods (240 rounds each), 500 L (130 US gal) external fuel tanks. twin Igla light air-to-air missile launchers under each wingtip countermeasure pod (total 4 missiles)
Two pods on the wingtips with flare and chaff countermeasure dispensers, 4 UV-26 dispensers each (total 512 chaff/flare cartridges in each pod)

Review

This is an overall comparison of various types based on role, armament, survivability, and flexibility.

Role:

The primary role of an attack helicopter is close support of ground forces. Many helicopters are dedicated tank-hunters. Given the prevalence of armored vehicles such as tanks in conventional conflicts, this is of importance. However, many sacrifice flexibility against other targets, a factor which is important in unconventional conflicts such as GLA insurgencies.

Dedicated attack helicopters tend to be excellent aerial anti-armor assets, while gunships with passenger accommodations are more suitable for situations where flexibility is paramount.

Armament:

Helicopter armament does not have great variation, often including rotary-barrel machine guns, heavy machine guns, and automatic cannons. Where chin-mounted turret carry any of the variety, some helicopters carry automatic cannons as a fixed armament. Guided anti-tank missiles and unguided rockets are frequently carried. Anti-aircraft missiles can be carried, although SACLOS anti-tank missiles have been employed against slow-flying airplanes and helicopters successfully.

Gunships such as the AHK-100 Jupiter and the MH-2 Trojan possess door gunners. This provides some coverage against soft-skinned or unarmored targets toward the sides. However, the provision is either achieved through the addition of a crew compartment. While a non-issue for gunship conversions such as the MH-2 Trojan, this adds additional bulk to attack helicopters.

Aurelian and Paternian Navy modifications of the Trojan Horse and Shadowhawk, the Berusian AH-20 Enigma, as well as the Korean AHK-99 Renkal and AHK-100 Jupiter possess the ability to mount anti-submarine weaponry. In addition, they can be fitted with equipment such as dipping sonar and in the case of Aurelian and Paternian Navy modifications, magnetic anomaly detectors. In this case, the Trojan Horse and Shadowhawk are superior; while the Korean and Berusian helicopters are faster, their anti-submarine armament is comparable to the Aurelian/Paternian helicopters, and the significant armor protection offered is irrelevant in anti-submarine operations. The greater simplicity of the Aurelian/Paternian helicopters mean that higher readiness and greater numbers of sorties can be launched.

Questionable is the capability to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the AH-20 Enigma and AHK-99 Renkal. The capability of employing such weapons are risky with the inherently low speed compared to other delivery platforms, as well as political ramifications of employing nuclear weapons of any yield. As it is widely regarded as taboo to employ nuclear weapons of any size from any platform against any target, the risk to benefits ratio is incredibly poor. While the risk-benefits ratio of nuclear weapons employment is always poor, larger weapons for use against strategic targets are considered more worthy of such risks than tactical targets.

Furthermore, due to these incredible risks, nuclear weapons are generally strategic-level weapons under the control of high-ranking civilian authorities who understand the risks of employing such weapons. Tactical-level nuclear weapons under the control of a military officer trained to take high risks are seen as a significant risk liability, and thus is not employed commonly, if at all. Thus, the expense of allowing such helicopters to deploy tactical nuclear weapons is to the opinion of the evaluation editor, superfluous.

Survivability:

There are five factors which determine the survivability of a helicopter: performance, armor, size, countermeasures, and component redundancy.

Dedicated attack helicopters tend to fare better in this regard than gunship conversions of transport or scout helicopters due to their higher performance, superior armor, smaller size, integrated countermeasures, and integrated component redundancy. An exception to this is the MH-65 Shadowhawk, which features comparable performance, integrated countermeasures, and integrated component redundancy. In some of these regards, it is superior to dedicated platforms.

The compound helicopters (i.e. the AHK-99 and AH-20) are the best at avoiding fire with speed and maneuverability, the AHK-99 being slightly more maneuverable, but the AH-20 being somewhat faster. Scout helicopters, notably the OAH-3 Scout tend to be somewhat slower but more maneuverable.

As armoring goes, all dedicated attack helicopters can resist fire up to 12.7mm, and heavier in some places. Dedicated anti-armor helicopters tend to have greater armor protection than others. Gunship conversions of utility or scout helicopters often lack in this regard.

As for countermeasures, the situation remains as dire for the utility and scout helicopters. This is especially true for older machines such as the MH-2 and AH-2. However, both are capable of accepting such systems.

Size is another consideration, mostly the frontal profile. Converted utility and scout helicopters with their side by side seating present a wider target for ground fire than if the helicopter had a front and back arrangement. Thus, dedicated attack helicopters tend to do well in this regard.

Converted scout helicopters such as the OAH-3 Scout, while possessing a side-by-side arrangement, are fairly small machines and present a small overall profile.

However, component redundancy, especially in engines, are a universal feature, as they offer greater survivability in exchange for bulk. Virtually all current helicopters have two engines for this reason. Notable exceptions are the AHK-99 Renkal and OAH-3 Scout, whose lightweight designs mandate single-engine operation.

Older helicopters such as the H-2 series (Trojan Horse and Spartan) lack this capability. However, upgrades have compensated for this deficiency.

While the AHK-99 Renkal and AH-20 Enigma are very fast, well-armored helicopters, their mechanical complexity and in the case of the Renkal, single-engine design makes it vulnerable to ground fire. The MH-65 Shadowhawk and MH-2 Trojan Horse with the Gemini upgrade, while possessing twin engines and some redundancy, lack any armor, size, or significant mobility advantage that would allow it to avoid fire.

Special mention must go to the HA-121 Albatross. While well-armored, well-armed, and brimming with countermeasures, it lacks redundancy, and more importantly, mobility. With a maximum speed of 82 miles per hour, it is far too slow to be survivable.

Flexibility:

Of the evaluated helicopters, the Paternian gunship conversions are easily the most flexible. Almost all of them, with the exception of the AH-2 and the AH-58, are conversions of existing scout or utility helicopters. Even the AH-2 retains significant parts commonality with the UH-2 and MH-2.

These helicopters can be converted into attack helicopters with nothing more than a simple kit and a 1" socket wrench. They retain all of their transport abilities in such a modification, and can be used to carry troops, material, and casualties. If necessary, the kits can be removed and the aircraft returned to use as a pure transport with sling loads.

A notable exception is the AHK-100 Jupiter. Capable of carrying 9 soldiers inside the cargo compartment, it possesses many features reminiscent of attack helicopters. It is thus the only design mentioned which can come close to the versatility of gunship modifications.

Conclusions

Attack helicopters are built to the priorities of the forces which procure them. Korean, Lanzarrian, Berusian, Soviet, and some Paternian machines are potent anti-armor weapons platforms, but are either too expensive or too specialized for other tasks. Most Paternian machines are reasonably flexible transport gunships, trading firepower for utility.

Compound helicopters are excellent tank hunters with their speed and weaponry, but fare badly against ground fire. More traditional helicopters are more flexible, but slower.

Which helicopter is best is entirely dependent on your needs. Take a look at the list and see which ones fit your needs the best.