Squadron Signal - Aircraft In Action 1095 Hughes AH-64 Apache
The AH-64 Apache is the latest in a long line of armed rotary wing aircraft that dates back to the Second World War when the Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 was armed with a 7.7MM MG 15 machine gun. Early helicopters were envisioned for use in the search and rescue role where they were likely to encounter the enemy and armament was included for self defense. It wasn't until the Korean War (1950-1953) that serious consideration was given to using the helicopter as an offensive platform armed with guns and rockets.
The Bell H-13 was the first American helicopter to be armed with machine guns for self defense. Later, Sikorsky H-34s and Piasecki H-2 Is were armed with rockets as well as guns and this practice led to the beginnings of the true armed attack helicopter. During 1954, the U.S. Army, based on its experience in the Korean War. saw the need for a dedicated armed helicopter that could escort troop-carrying helicopters and could suppress enemy ground fire. The armed helicopter would also have the capability to go deep into enemy territory, perform its rescue mission and return. With these missions in mind the Army developed several armed helicopters including the UH-1 Huey gunship and AH-1 Huey Cobra.
Название: AH-64 Apache in Action (Aircraft 95)
Автор: Al Adcock
Publisher: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc.
Год издания: 1989
ISBN: 0897472233
Страниц: 50 Pages
Язык: English
Формат: PDF
Размер: 50.3 MB
