Summary
Rotary-wing
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Extract
Utility helos with a purpose.
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Slender, tandem-seat dedicated attack helicopters were developed in the 1960s because the armed-Huey gunships (Bell UH-1B/C 'Hogs') were not fast enough to escort the troop carriers (UH-1D/H 'Slicks') in Vietnam. The high cost and inflexibility of dedicated attack designs is now encouranging the development of armed, sensor-equipped versions of utility helicopters. The attack helicopter went through a second major phase of development as defence planning moved to a war in central Europe, in which the need was to kill multiple tanks per sortie in day/night all weather conditions and a target-rich environment. The second generation of dedicated attack helicopters are consequently heavy and expensive. In the very different context of 21st Century wars, the overall result is limited op...See the full content of this document
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