Which Army helicopter is the coolest / best?

Question

Apache, Blackhawk, Kiowa, or Chinook?

Answer 1

Iroquois

UH-1C

Answer 2

Well my favorite is the OH58D Kiowa. Small, maneuverable and operates right down on the deck where the fight is. I flew in them all and to me this was the coolest ride. The Chinook is a flying greyhound bus. The Blackhawk a flying Cadillac, and the Apache was too fast and heavy to work close in. Give me a M60 and a Kiowa at 50 feet and 100 knots.

Answer 3

It depends on what you are looking for in regards to mission, what you need accomplished, how you want to get there etc..

All in all, they perform their own missions well enough. You wont catch a Chinook doing anti-armor roles just as you wont see a Kiowa being used as a transport (although it can on a very limited basis)

The Apache serves as the US Army's main means of anti-armor/anti-vehicle, close air support. It is fairly rugged, can deliver an awesome amount of firepower and has been thanked on many occasions by the grunts she is covering.

The Blackhawk is a multi-role bird. The U, as in UH-60, stands for utility and that is what the Blackhawk is best known for, being able to cover quite a bit of roles. She can be used as a transport (although crowded), can ferry supplies and can be used in some limited roles as a close support aircraft. She doesn't excell in any area per se, but she does her job well enough in all three. A jack of all trades, master of none.

The Kiowa has been used for the longest time as the eyes of the Apache. With its large radar "eye" on top of its rotors, it would paint the area for its Apache friends and then duck out of the fight when the Apaches would go in with their hellfire missles. This is the closest bird that has a civilian equal. Now, many of the Apaches are being equipped with their own radar styled unit (called the longbow variant) and the Kiowas are being used more for eye in the sky role: pointing out area of possible ambushes, attacks or picking out places that are soft targets. While small, it can still mount some weaponry, the typical M240D (7.62 machine gun), 2.75 rockets and the occasional GE mini gun.

The Chinook (lovingly referred to as the Big Nasty by those that ride in her) is like flying in a large baby crib. Its a fairly gentle ride and you have a decent view out of the back. Now, this bird stinks..no if ands or buts. It constantly smells of JP8 (aviation fuel) and hydralic fluid. She is the workhorse of the US Army. This bird can carry troops, supplies, vehicles, wounded...you name it she can carry it. She is actually the fastest helicopter that the Army has, despite the fact that she is the largest. She can mount the same 240D machine guns, but its not uncommon to see her with miniguns as well.

The Comanche never really made it off the ground. While it made it through prototype stages, she was shot down from Congress as being to costly. Unless she is reborn, she will not fly.

All US Army helicopters have nicknames of Native American indian tribes. While the nomenclature (the number of the helicopter UH-60, AH-1, CH-47 etc) are typical military, most are known for their nicknames. Even when helicopters were first on scene really in war, they had indian nicknames. Many of the helicopters you asked about can be outfitted for Special Operations missions. These usually will be called MH and whatever the number. They normally have better electronics, ability to refuel in midair, better weaponry and more skilled pilots.

You didnt mention the OH-6 (little bird) in your question. It is small, very agile and can normally be in an out of an area in a very short amount of time. The air calvary units use them as well as 160th SOAR (Nighthawks). They can be called gunships, but they can not mount much in the way of weaponry compared to the others.

All in all, each bird is special in its own right. They all perform, they all do their jobs, but when it comes down to it...(having ridden in the Kiowa, Chinook and Blackhawk) I will take the Chinook. She is roomy, a mostly comfortable ride and can shrug off some decent damage.

Answer 4

Apache

Answer 5

UH64 Apache

Answer 6

The Apache is through far the "coolest." They did a up to date survey of the proper ten helicopters and the Apache got here in first for its coping with knowledge, technological features, and the fierce look of it. now to not teach your sole objective is destruction.

Answer 7

you have to define BEST. Each one is BEST for a different thing:

Heavy lifting of full platoons/equipment: Chinook
Armoured Cav, Cav Support: Blackhawk
CAS in confined areas: Kiowa
A2G Warfare in open areas: Apache
Best extended range small troop trans and S&R: PAVHAWK/PAVLOW

As to which is the coolest? I'm going to go with the apache... the whole thing just looks like a killing machine.

Answer 8

Apache AH MK1

Answer 9

Apache and Blackhawk, i like the new blackhawk

Answer 10

first off the army cancelled the commanche project for all of you who actually think its still going on. but to answer your question its the apache hands down. no other heli in the world is as deadly and surviveable as the apache. last manned attack heli we will ever produce. its that damn good