Here’s a compilation of Russian military attack helicopters (Ka-52 and Mi-28) taking part in the war in Ukraine.
Notice how they’re mainly using unguided dumb-rockets, cannon fire, and radar/laser beam-riding SACLOS missiles.
1/8
Notice how they’re mainly using unguided dumb-rockets, cannon fire, and radar/laser beam-riding SACLOS missiles.
1/8
These aforementioned weapons are fairly old and outdated system, and we can see the ramifications of this in their losses: 12 attack helicopters lost. Helicopters armed with these systems have to enter contested airspace to have desirable effect on target.
2/8
2/8
Months ago, I brought up how modern attack helicopter capabilities have drastically changed.
The USMC AH-1W, fighting in Iraq nearly two decades ago, had the same offensive capabilities as Russian helicopters today. SACLOS missiles, rockets etc.
3/8
The USMC AH-1W, fighting in Iraq nearly two decades ago, had the same offensive capabilities as Russian helicopters today. SACLOS missiles, rockets etc.
3/8
https://twitter.com/kemal_115/status/1475448134721495042
Just compare the USMC AH-1W in Iraq (in 2003!) and the Russian helicopters in Ukraine (in 2022!), to this Azerbaijani Mi-17 with modern Spike NLOS ATGMs (in 2020!).
The difference is staggering.
4/8
The difference is staggering.
4/8
https://twitter.com/kemal_115/status/1475448178652721155
Azerbaijan has lost one Mi-17 during the 2020 war with Armenia, just one! Reportedly in a crash and not even in combat.
Az helicopters with Spike NLOS remained at standoff distances when engaging Armenian assets, making themselves near immune to enemy counterfire.
5/8
Az helicopters with Spike NLOS remained at standoff distances when engaging Armenian assets, making themselves near immune to enemy counterfire.
5/8
This is where I believe the future lies. The golden era of unguided rockets is over, helicopters relying on this principle will get shot down like the Russian have shown.
I can't stress enough how much I Iove the AH-64D Saraf with Spike NLOS.
6/8
I can't stress enough how much I Iove the AH-64D Saraf with Spike NLOS.
6/8
https://twitter.com/kemal_115/status/1475450999322120193
I hope small NATO militaries, to whom even a single attack helicopter loss is costly, will focus on acquiring modern NLOS ATGMs.
Helicopters must be armed with standoff weapons to remain viable in modern combat. If not, losses to MANPADS, AAA and alike are inevitable.
7/8
Helicopters must be armed with standoff weapons to remain viable in modern combat. If not, losses to MANPADS, AAA and alike are inevitable.
7/8
Balance is also important. Expensive and capable systems like Spike NLOS can't be used against lightly armored or unarmored opponents in uncontested airspace.
Instead, guided 70mm rockets, 70mm missiles, or cannon fire can be used against them.
8/8
Instead, guided 70mm rockets, 70mm missiles, or cannon fire can be used against them.
8/8
As a side note:
I am of course fully unqualified to say any of this lol
I'm just some random guy on Twitter. I'm no helicopter pilot or military tactician/strategist specialized in helicopter warfare.
I am of course fully unqualified to say any of this lol
I'm just some random guy on Twitter. I'm no helicopter pilot or military tactician/strategist specialized in helicopter warfare.
Great catch!
I was referring to the radio-guided Ataka :)
I was referring to the radio-guided Ataka :)
https://twitter.com/UW_Sucks_alot/status/1503757830117019653
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
