The second half of the last century became the real "best of times" for helicopters. These machines are especially actively used for military purposes. The first helicopter was not perfect. But their progress is fast. Soon the machines mastered the shock and transport functions well. Almost every year, more and more advanced helicopters appear. So perfect that their features are sealed. Today we are going to introduce them to you.
Ka-90
For the first time, a concept model of the helicopter was presented at the international exhibition "Helirasha-2008", held at the International Exhibition Center. During the exhibition, it was renamed from the Ka-100 to the Ka-90. No one in the world has such a concept, not even the Americans. This is a completely new technical solution. The helicopter is raised from the ground using rigid and shortened propellers. It reaches a speed of 400 km/h, and then the turbojet bypass engine is turned on, accelerating the car to 700-800 km/h.
Then the propellers are automatically stored in a box "on the back" of the helicopter. When it was time to land, the propeller folded again, the jet engine turned off, and the car landed normally. There has been controversy about this power plant, whether it is a combination of a gas turbine and a turbojet engine (in this case, the gas turbine engine that drives the main rotor will be "suspended" as its own weight in most flight modes) or a turbojet engine with a power take-off device that powers the main rotor at takeoff. True, it is not clear how a helicopter or airplane will remain in the air after the wings are folded. The top speed of the car also raises questions. According to analysts, there are simply not any engines at all (the Ka-90 has only one engine) that can accelerate a car of this size to the declared speed today.
Boeing AH-64 Apache
The Boeing AH-64 Apache was developed in the mid-70s of the 20th century and is one of the most common and well-known attack helicopters in the world. The main distinguishing feature of the AH-64 profile are two T700-GE-701 gas turbine engines located in the engine nacelles on the sides of the fuselage. The AH-64A engines produce 1,770 horsepower each, allowing the helicopter to reach a top speed of 307 km/h. The engine and the corresponding flight characteristics are what distinguish the early Apache models from the later ones. Thus, a more modern version of the AH-64D Apache Longbow was equipped with a 1970-horsepower engine. Each one compensates for the increased combat weight and maintains the vehicle's superior speed of up to 295 km / h.
The Apache is not only fast in a straight line, but also highly maneuverable. Since the helicopter was originally designed for ultra-low-altitude flight, it is able to remain truly glued to the ground during movement - if, of course, the pilot flying it has the necessary skills and strong enough nerves. This makes the Apache ideal for a surprise attack on the terrain; At the same time, the vehicle is most likely invisible to the radar station of the advanced anti-aircraft gun. In addition to their excellent flight characteristics, all Apache helicopters also boast impressive firepower. In addition to the main armament - the bow automatic 30-mm cannon - the Apache can carry the Hydra -70 unguided missiles and up to 16 Hellfire guided missiles, as well as the longbow version - the Hellfire 2.
Eurocopter Tiger
Eurocopter Tiger Helicopter is a modern attack helicopter developed by the Franco-German consortium Eurocopter. The design of the Tiger helicopter is based on the following basic principles. Reduced visibility. The narrow fuselage (cabin width 1 m) is made of polymer composite materials, which is transparent to high-frequency radiation from the radar station. When detected by enemy radar, infrared and acoustic means, tactical evasion techniques are used. To do this, the helicopter is equipped with various sensors and devices for detecting radiation from enemy air defense systems. The high maneuverability characteristics required to provide high-energy evasion maneuvering must be achieved, and the design must be able to withstand overloads of +3.5 to -0.5.
The arrangement of the crew is standard for attack helicopters - tandem; A feature of the Tiger helicopter is that the pilot's seat is located in the front, and the operator's workplace is in the back. In this case, the pilot's and operator's seats move in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine in order to provide the operator with better forward visibility from the back seat. These devices include the AN/AAR-60 MILDS airborne detection system, which can warn the crew of the helicopter of irradiation from enemy radar, laser guidance and sighting systems, as well as the launch of an attacking missile. The complex was developed by the German branch of the EADS consortium. All systems are connected to the on-board computer, and commands from the on-board computer are sent to the MBDA (MBDA) automatic reset machine of anti-radar reflectors and infrared jamming devices. The helicopter is equipped with EloKa electronic warfare equipment. The visibility characteristics of the helicopter in the optical, radar, infrared and acoustic ranges have been minimized.
Ka-92
The Ka-92 is a conceptual development of domestic designers. The machine was the brainchild of the Kamov Design Bureau and was designed as a new generation of high-speed helicopters. The designers planned to create a completely new car capable of traveling at high speeds while carrying a large number of passengers, that is, up to 30 people. And another feature of the design of the Ka-92 helicopter should be a fairly long flight range. To create such a device, the designers adopted a coaxial propeller and took advantage of the latest developments in the field of aerodynamics. Modern materials and technologies allow it to fly at a speed of 500 km / h, and at the same time to a distance of 1400 km.
The gross weight of the vehicle at takeoff is 16 tons. In order to lift such a weight, a new, more powerful and more reliable power plant is needed. As for the propellers, there are also some new design ideas. The main rotor will be coaxial, but the innovation is the propulsion propeller, which is also built according to the coaxial design. The main rotor will be equipped with a new hub fairing with an electronically calculated design, which will improve the quality of performance of the rotors. The rear propeller was equipped with a swept stabilizer and two tail fins at the end. Thanks to such propellers, the aircraft will be able to achieve a high flight speed of 450-500 km / h.
Z-10
The Z-10 was designed according to the so-called "classic design", with an X-shaped tail rotor. The landing gear is three-wheeled with a steerable tail wheel. The armament is located under the wing with a total wingspan of about 4.3 m, and the crew is located in the cabin in a tandem configuration. The operator is located in the front compartment and the pilot in the aft compartment, which is designed to provide the required visibility. Existing photographs of the helicopter cockpit show that each crew member has at least two large multifunctional color displays and redundant analog instruments at their disposal. It is believed that the helicopter has a dual control function, which allows the operator to take over the driving of the machine in a critical situation.
Obviously, the side glass was not armored, only the windshield armor glass provided protection for the occupants. The cabin itself can withstand 12.6mm bullets, but it's this bulletproof that the advertising data promises. Judging by the photos that circulate, the Z-10 is equipped with radiation warning sensors of radio, visible, infrared and ultraviolet spectra in accordance with the conventions of modern technology. At least two heat-trap firing installations can be visually identified. However, there is no reliable data on the on-board self-defense complex, so the degree of automation of the helicopter protection man-portable anti-aircraft missile system remains unclear. As is customary in modern technology. At least two heat-trap firing installations can be visually identified. However, there is no reliable data on the on-board self-defense complex, so the degree of automation of the helicopter protection man-portable anti-aircraft missile system remains unclear. As is customary in modern technology. At least two heat-trap firing installations can be visually identified. However, there is no reliable data on the on-board self-defense complex, so the degree of automation of the helicopter protection man-portable anti-aircraft missile system remains unclear.
Apparently, the designers took measures to reduce the infrared signature by installing an exhaust gas cooling system. The nose of the Z-10 actually has two gyro-stabilized platforms. The larger one houses the operator's observation and aiming cameras and target designation equipment, including laser rangefinder illuminators, television cameras and thermal imagers. The second, smaller system, located slightly higher, operates independently and is designed for night helicopter piloting. Judging by the photos, there are at least two different versions of the surveillance and sighting equipment. Recently appeared photos show that the operator allegedly has a helmet-mounted target designation system with built-in projection night vision goggles. The solution consists of mounting two modules with electro-optic converters directly on the helmet and optically transmitting the image to a translucent screen in front of the observer's eyes. A similar decision was made during the creation of night vision goggles for Eurocopter Tiger helicopters.
According to the advertisement, weapon control is achieved by turning the operator's head to the target. The helicopter's avionics are based on an open architecture based on the local standard GJV289A, which is identical to the MIL STD 1553B.
Bell AH-1 Cobra
The production helicopter AH-1G became the basis for further modifications, with a single-rotor design with a tail rotor, a gas turbine engine and a ski landing gear. The fuselage is all-metal, semi-monocoque. The crew compartment is a two-seater, with the gunner and pilot seats one in front and one behind. The floor height of the gunner's compartment (located in front of the pilot) was lowered by 0.25 m. The canopy with flat glass minimizes glare and increases the space above the pilot's head; The helicopter uses an improved emergency release system with automatic operation of doors and windows. To protect the crew, as well as the most critical parts of the structure and components, from ground fire, lightweight steel armor was used. The tail boom structure was reinforced to withstand 23 mm shells. Helicopter fuselage painting.