Как утверждают многие военные эксперты, звездный The hour of helicopter construction fell on the second half of the 20th century. World War II did without the use of such machines. However, already in the Korean War, the situation changed dramatically. The first to use combat helicopters were the Americans. At first, the top command of the United States Air Force was skeptical about the idea of using helicopters on the battlefield. However, during the Korean War, helicopters, contrary to the expectations of American generals, effectively carried out fire adjustments, reconnaissance, landing of paratroopers and evacuation of the wounded. The second place in the world in terms of prevalence after the Soviet “turntables” Mi-24 was taken by the American Apache helicopter. Since 1980, he is considered the main shock fighting machine of the US Air Force. Description, device and tactical and technical characteristics of the Apache helicopters are presented in the article.
Introduction
The AN-64 Apache helicopter is the first militarycombat vehicle, the purpose of which is to provide interaction with ground forces stationed at the forefront. In addition, the use of shock "turntables" to counter the enemy tanks was envisaged. The Apache helicopters (the photo of the machine is presented in the article) were created specifically for offensive operations and support for ground forces in all weather conditions.
In the modern army, the attack helicopter ismachine indispensable and truly universal. For reconnaissance of the accumulation of enemy ground forces, coordination of combat units from the air, and destruction of armored vehicles, the "turntables" will fit perfectly well. Today, there is correspondence rivalry between the two leading armies in the world: the Russian Federation and the United States of America. Therefore, it is quite logical that many military experts compare the Apache and Ka-52 helicopters developed by Russian designers.
On the effectiveness of combat "turntables"
Low flight quality of helicopters, the complexity ofservice and vulnerability to enemy air defenses hampered the purchase of these combat vehicles by the United States Army. Prior to the use of "turntables", almost 90% of American soldiers died from moderate and severe wounds. With the beginning of the "helicopter era", military experts noted a decrease in mortality to 10%.
Поначалу вертолеты выполняли тактические задачи:carried out the supply and transfer of troops. Soon the helicopter was no longer used as a vehicle, but as a shock machine, an ideal attack aircraft and a means of supporting ground forces. By the end of the Korean War, helicopters were already stocked with small light machine guns and unguided rockets.
Soon military technologists developedanti-tank guided missiles. From this point on, the helicopter began to be used as an effective means for the destruction of enemy armored vehicles.
About the first combat vehicles
During the war in Vietnam was widely usedHuey helicopter. This reliable and unpretentious car is produced today. The Cobra helicopter has also become an effective means to support ground forces and destroy enemy armored vehicles. Towards the end of the war several special divisions were formed, armed exclusively with helicopters. In the second half of the 70s, there was a need for a new attack helicopter, which was planned to replace the Cobra.
Start of design work
The design of the new "turntables" was conducted oncompetitive basis by several US aircraft manufacturing companies. In 1973 the Bell and Hughes companies reached the final. The first company developed the 409th model AN-63, and "Hughes" - AN-64. In 1975, comparative tests of two combat vehicles were conducted. On tactical and technical characteristics, as well as on parameters such as rate of climb and maneuverability, the AN-64 significantly surpassed its competitor. The Apache helicopter was controlled by test pilots Robert Ferri and Reli Fletcher. After the competition, the helicopter was refined, some changes were made in the design and on-board equipment. According to experts, the car was still tested for 2400 hours. For unknown reasons, the mass production of the Apache helicopter was decided to be postponed for a couple of years.
On the requirements for the American "turntable"
The Apache combat helicopter was supposed to have the following tactical and technical characteristics:
- Cruising speed of 269 km / h.
- Rate of rise of 2.3 m / s.
- Flight duration up to 110 min.
- Combat helicopter "Apache" should carrysuccessful sorties at night, in rainy weather, and with the help of special instruments to continue combat missions in conditions with poor visibility. In addition, the hit of a projectile of 12.7 mm caliber should not jeopardize the fulfillment of the task set for the flight crew.
About mass production
In 1981, the design of a military helicopter"Apache" was fully completed. The serial production of "turntables" started in 1984. Especially for the manufacture of the AN-64 in Arizona in the city of Mesa built a factory. Initially, the release of "turntables" engaged aviation company "Hughes" and its helicopter branch. However, soon the right to serial production of the AN-64 was transferred to the McDonell-Douglas Corporation. The Apache helicopter (photo of the helicopter below) is one of the best shock fighting vehicles in the world, which entered service in the first squadron in 1986.
Three years later, these "turntables" was completedNational Guard of the country. Serial production of helicopters was completed in 1994. Total American military industry was built 827 AN-64. Production of one combat unit cost the state $ 15 million. Russia has to spend 16 million to produce one Alligator
Description
To design a model of the helicopter "Apache" wasapplied classic single-screw circuit. For the helicopter there is one steering and one rotor propellers equipped with four blades of a special design. The rotor is equipped with blades 6 m long each. They are made of metal. For blades provided by the coating of fiberglass.
For the manufacture of the rear edge is usedcomposite material, and for the front - titanium. Thanks to this design feature, the Apache helicopter is not afraid of collisions with small obstacles - branches and trees.
An X-shape is provided for the tail rotor.As the developers considered, this design is more efficient than the traditional one. In addition, this “spinner” has a small extension wing and a three-post non-retractable wheeled chassis using a tail wheel. Wing removable. In the manufacture of the fuselage AN-64 used aluminum alloys and materials with high strength and toughness.
Ka-52 is an improved version of the Ka-50 helicopter"Black Shark". For the Russian car is characterized by the rotation of the blades in different directions. This gives the opportunity for a unique maneuvering - creating a "funnel". This technique is a side flight of the helicopter. They resort to it in those situations when it is necessary to evade anti-aircraft defenses aimed at the "turntable".
About the features of the American car
Вертолет США «Апач» оборудован разнесенными interchangeable engines. Since as a result of their work, thermal radiation is generated, the designers, in order to reduce its impact, developed a special screen exhaust device for the helicopter. His task is to mix cold sea air with hot exhaust.
Носовая часть «вертушки» стала местом для the location of the video camera, the laser system responsible for measuring the distance to the target and its illumination, thermal imager and mobile gun installation. For fixing the above elements on the helicopter "Apache" uses a special turret installation. Equipping the "turntable" X-shaped tail rotor, the developers managed to reduce the noise. In addition, different angles are provided for the location of the blades. As a result, each blade suppresses part of the noise that the other produces. According to experts, a double screw is much quieter than a single screw.
As the main supports in the model of the helicopter"Apache" is used chassis. The ability to remove it is not constructively provided. This chassis has powerful shock absorbers, the purpose of which is to prevent injury to the flight crew by absorbing the impact energy in the event of an emergency landing. The vertical speed at the same time should not exceed 12 m / s.
In battle, the Apache helicopter is reliably protected from missiles,containing infrared homing head. This was made possible thanks to the special infrared countermeasures system ALQ-144, the task of which is to throw out the IR traps.
About the cabin device
Attack helicopter "Apache" is equipped with a doublecab, which is characterized by a tandem arrangement of seats. The front is for the second pilot-gunner, and the rear, raised by 480 mm, is the pilot. The lower part and sides of the cabin are covered with armor. The space between the seats has become a place for a transparent partition. In its manufacture used Kevlar and polyacrylate. This partition is able to withstand a direct hit by a bullet and a projectile, the calibers of which range from 12.7 to 23 mm. Thanks to this cabin design, the flight crew is provided with maximum protection.
Aiming to improve helicopter combat survivability“Apache”, American designers in the “spinner” use two independent hydraulic systems, protected fuel tanks and armored most important systems and areas.
For the construction of the Russian Ka-52 helicopter (according toNATO classification, it is listed as "Alligator") is characterized by a coaxial scheme. The cabin in this "turntable" double. However, the chairs are located side by side to each other. Restrictions for piloting in the "Alligator" is not available. Thus, both pilots can fire and control the "turntable". The helicopter cabin is equipped with a special armored capsule. The crew can eject at an altitude of at least 4,100 m. The armored cover protects pilots from bullets of a caliber not exceeding 23 mm.
About weapons
Destroy the enemy's armored vehiclesThe Apache can, with the help of a single-barrel aviation automatic M230 caliber 30x113 mm cannon. Its weight is almost 57 kg. The length of the gun 168 cm. Within one minute, the pilot can produce up to 650 shots. Released projectile flies at a speed of 805 m / s. Communication with the instrument is provided with an electric drive. Tank shooting is conducted:
- A cartridge containing a high-explosive fragmentation projectile M799 and an explosive weighing 43 g.
- A cartridge in which an M789 armor-piercing-cumulative projectile is used. This ammunition can penetrate homogeneous armor with a thickness of 51 mm.
As the main weapon in the AN-64Hellfire anti-tank missiles are used. Up to 16 such missiles can fit on one "turntable". They are located on the four underwing suspensions. For missiles, point target shooting at a distance of no more than 11 thousand meters is provided. Since the indicator of the maximum range of tank missiles does not exceed 5 thousand meters, 1.5 km of large-caliber machine guns, according to experts, the Apaches can be considered inaccessible to these enemy guns. Unable to destroy AN-64 and Igla, Verba and Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems.
Russian "spinner" is completed:
- Двенадцатью противотанковыми ракетами «Вихрь».They move to the goal at a speed of 400 m / s. Russian missiles are able to destroy an enemy tank from a distance of up to 8 thousand meters. They pierce armor 95 mm thick.
- Стрелково-пушечным вооружением, которое is represented by a movable instrument 2A42 caliber 30 mm. The gun is equipped with 460 rounds. The weight of one is 39 g. The projectile toward the target moves at a speed of 980 m / s. The gun is effective at a distance of 4 km.
- Uncontrollable rocket armament of 80 and 122 mm caliber.
- Four air-to-air missiles R-73 and Igla-B.
What is equipped with an American helicopter?
For the AN-64 provides a powerful radio electronicequipment. Flight crew training takes place on a special simulator. The Apache helicopter is equipped with the TADS system, which performs detection and target designation, and represents the main combat power of the “turntables”. In addition, for the helicopter, the US military designers developed the PNVS night vision system and the INADSS integrated helmet-mounted system, through which small arms and rocket armament is activated by turning the head. The main system is equipped with a laser pointer rangefinder. The ability to track the terrain, so as not to be detected by the enemy during combat missions, has become available thanks to the more advanced FLIR-PNVS system.
About power plant
"Apache" is equipped with an engine T700-GE-701,which capacity makes 1695 l. with. For the "turntables" provided for the presence of two high-pressure fuel pumps, the location for which became special gondolas on both sides of the fuselage. The helicopter is equipped with two protected tanks, the total capacity of which is 1,157 liters. The tanks are located behind the pilot's seat and behind the gearbox. In addition, fuel tanks (4 pcs.) Can additionally be attached to wing assemblies equipped with suspension arms. Capacity of one tank is 870 l.
About TTX
Here is what can be noted:
- The AN-64 is capable of developing a maximum speed of up to 309 km / h, and a cruising speed of 293. The Russian “spinner” is considered somewhat faster. The maximum speed of the "Alligator" is 350 km / h.
- "Apache" designed for combat load up to 770 kg.
- The flight range is 1700 km, Ka-52 - 520.
- The helicopter is designed for three-hour flights.
- The flight crew consists of two people.
- The maximum take-off weight is 8006 kg, normal take-off - 6670 kg. The empty helicopter weighs 4657 kg.
- The helicopter has a maximum rate of climb of 12.27 m / s.
- The helicopter is operated from the USA, Israel, the Netherlands and Japan.
About modifications
The American helicopter is presented in several versions:
- "Sea Apache" AN-64A.This model "turntables" provides anti-submarine defense forces of the US Navy and Marine Corps. In addition, the helicopter conducts intelligence activities. The helicopter carries out sorties at a distance of up to 240 thousand meters, search and destruction of enemy ships. Also, this combat vehicle is used in those situations when you need to cover the landing of the landing forces. 18 units of the Sea Apache were purchased by Israel, 12 by Saudi Arabia, 24 by Egypt, 12 by Greece. In addition, several “turntables” are used in South Korea and Kuwait.
- "Apache Bravo" AN-64B.Represents a more refined previous model. During the design, designers used the experience of using the "turntables" in the Persian Gulf. In this model, the helicopter developers have changed the layout of the cabin and increased the wingspan. Helicopter due to more powerful engines and outboard tanks can carry out combat missions, the range of which has now increased by 200 thousand meters. The military industry of the United States produced 254 combat vehicles.
- AN-64C."Pinwheel" is an intermediate option between the models AN-64A and Apache Longbow. A helicopter in 1993 passed a 2000-hour test program. It was planned to upgrade 308 combat vehicles. However, in 1993, the program was closed.
- AN-64D Longbow Apache.It is an improved model of the AN-64A. It is considered the second major modification of "Apache". The main feature of this "turntable" is the presence of the radar system AN / APG-78. The place of its location was a special streamlined container above the rotor. In addition, the helicopter is equipped with enhanced engines and new on-board equipment. In service with the US Army since 1995.
Expert opinion
Как утверждают авиационные специалисты, мощность engine of the American model loses the power plant, which is equipped with the Russian combat vehicle "Alligator". However, in such a parameter as the flight range, the Apaches are superior to the Ka-52. As regards weapons, the American helicopter is weaker. "Alligator" is completed with these giants - 122-mm unguided aircraft missiles C-13, which are able to penetrate concrete firing points, as well as armored vehicles and enemy ships.
Также отличаются обе модели и по качеству reservation. The Apaches use polyacrylic and Kevlar armor plates, which, according to experts, are theoretically capable of withstanding a direct hit from a large-caliber machine gun. However, the events of 2003, when the United States army invaded Iraq, in practice show the opposite. Then bring down the "Apache" was an ordinary peasant. As a weapon, he used a simple hunting rifle. Ka-52 is more resilient.
Finally
Baptism "Apache" was held in Panama in1989 Later this war machine was used in other armed conflicts. In Yugoslavia, Iraq and Afghanistan, the AN-64 has established itself as the most advanced combat helicopter of the second generation.
