Category Archives: Helicopters

[Photo] 24 U.S. Apache attack helicopters perform mass landing in South Korea

A horde of AH-64 Apache: that’s a show of force!

The image in this post shows 24 AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters with the 4th Aerial Reconnaissance Battalion (Attack), 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade conduct a mass landing at Camp Humphreys, South Korea on Apr. 18.

The photo is quite rare as the U.S. Army unit does not usually fly all of its 24 choppers in one mission.

Based on their own description on FB, the battalion, also known as the “Death Dealers,” conduct scenario based training at a moment’s notice keeping the battalion ready to “Fight Tonight.”

Image credit: U.S. Army/2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

Another insane Russian helicopter low altitude flyby

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A Russian combat helicopter performs an impressive, quite dangerous, low pass.

Few days ago, we published an article about the fully armed Ukrainian Air Force Mig-29 performing an impressive and unusual show of force in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russia separatists blocked the rails.

The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather attack helicopter featuring the distinctive coaxial rotor system of the Kamov design bureau.

Although the combat helicopter, usually employed as an armed scout chopper, equips the Russian army since 1995, you don’t happen to see them around every day.

By the way a few were seen supporting the initial helicopter armada during the Russian invasion of Crimea last month.

For this reason any video showing this weird aircraft is quite interesting. Even more if the Alligator performs an impressive, dangerous pass at ultra-low altitude.

H/T to Marsattaque blog for the heads-up

Video shows Russian Mi-35 gunship helicopters ultra-low altitude flying over Black Sea beaches

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Russian attack helicopter pilots must be used to fly well below treetop altitude.

The opening phase of the recent invasion of Crimea saw Russian gunships cross the Strait of Kerch at very low altitude. In the days that followed the first incursion inside the Ukrainian airspace, the Mi-35s were dispatched at low level over the roofs of Sevastopol in Crimea to perform overwatch patrol (and show of force).

Needless to say, ultra-low level flying is part of the daily training of Russian Mi-35M Hind pilots that train for future aerial assaults.

Reportedly filmed at Anapa, Krasnodar, Russia, the following interesting footage shows two Mi-35s flying at low level over the beaches of the northern Black Sea.

H/T to Matt Fanning for the heads-up.

First AgustaWestland HH-101A “Caesar” for the Italian Air Force makes first flight

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The first AW101 for the Italian Air Force, designated the HH-101A “CAESAR”, made its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK

The new helicopter, in an interesting black color scheme, made its first flight at the presence of the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Pasquale Preziosa and other representatives and dignitaries from military services and public authorities.

The HH-101A will be the backbone of the Italian Air Force’s rotary wing fleet that was already modernized with the HH-139 for Search and Rescue.

The first two examples of the HH-101A will be delivered in Q4/2014 in Personnel Recovery and Special Forces missions configuration.

Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Pasquale Preziosa said “The HH-101A will respond to the Italian Air Force’s needs for Personnel Recovery and Special Forces Operations. It will also support SAR, MEDEVAC and Slow Mover Intercept operations which are extremely important to provide effective support to the Italian community.”

The HH-101A will be able to host a combination of up to five crew members plus twenty fully equipped troops or six crew members plus 8 troops for special operations ensuring maximum flexibility. The helicopters will also feature three M134 7.62 mm pintle mounted Gatling-type machine guns installed on right and left sides and on the rear ramp, armoured cockpit seats, ballistic protection for machine gun operators as well as for critical systems and an Integrated Electronic Warfare System providing self-protection against radar, laser and infrared threats. The HH-101A will also feature an air-to-air refuelling kit for extended range operations.