Military
South Korea's Newest Gunship Helicopter Is One of the Most Advanced Yet
Flyblackarrow / Wikimedia Commons
Published: July 26, 2024 10:50 am
24/7 Wall St. Insights:
The KAI LAH is the newest addition to South Korea’s military forces
It is replacing an aging fleet of AH-1S Cobra and MD500 Defender helicopters
The KAI LAH can be equipped with a 20mm cannon, air-to-surface missiles, and rocket pods
Also: Dividend legends to hold forever
South Korea’s KAI LAH (Light Armed Helicopter) is making waves in military aviation as one of the newest helicopter gunships in the world. The South Korean military is looking to field this helicopter to fill various roles including armed reconnaissance, light attack and close air support.
The KAI LAH program is intended to replace the aging fleet of AH-1S Cobra and MD500 Defender helicopters. At the same time, it is addressing the ever-evolving technology within the military aviation industry. As a domestically produced attack helicopter, it also reduces reliance on foreign powers for South Korea’s military needs. (The helicopter war: a look at the iconic helicopters that defined the Vietnam War. )
Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a look at some of the newest gunship helicopters of the modern era. To identify the gunship helicopters of the modern era, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of military helicopters from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used by militaries worldwide. We ordered these helicopters chronologically. We also included supplemental information from Military Factory regarding the type of helicopter, year introduced, country of origin, manufacturer, top speed, and armament.
Like many other gunships, the KAI LAH is known for its firepower. One of the main features of the KAI LAH is its 20mm cannon and its ability to equip air-to-surface missiles and rocket pods, allowing for versatility in various combat scenarios.
Ultimately, the KAI LAH gunship marks a significant milestone in South Korea’s military modernization efforts. (These are the future military helicopters of the world. )
Here is a look at the newest gunship helicopters of the modern era:
Why Are We Covering This?
There is much that we can learn from an in-depth look at gunship helicopters since WWII. Gunships are complex and extremely powerful machines with incredible weaponry, aerodynamics, and piloting techniques. Countries around the world spend billions of dollars on national defense, which often includes gunship helicopters. The innovation, purchasing, and use of gunship helicopters affect a nation’s economy and often reflect its global position.
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Multirole transport utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1950
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Top speed: 101 mph
Armament: 7.62mm medium machine guns, 12.7mm heavy machine guns, rocket pods
Type: Multirole utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1953
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
Top speed: 115 mph
Armament: Rocket pods, conventional drop bombs
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Tandem-rotor transport helicopter
Year introduced: 1953
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Piasecki Helicopter / Boeing
Top speed: 127 mph
Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Close-support / transport helicopter
Year introduced: 1954
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Top speed: 173 mph
Armament: 7.62mm M60C general purpose machine guns, rocket pods
Type: Light utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1957
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer: Aerospatiale
Top speed: 115 mph
Armament: Anti-tank guided missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes
Type: Multirole / utility / attack / transport helicopter
Year introduced: 1959
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Top speed: 137 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, Mk 44/46 torpedoes, rocket pods, various air-to-surface missiles, various anti-tank missiles, automatic cannons, 12.7mm GAU miniguns
Type: Light mutlirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1960
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer: Aerospatiale
Top speed: 130 mph
Armament: 20mm cannon, 7.62mm machine gun, AS.11 anti-tank missiles, Mk 44 torpedoes
Type: Anti-submarine warfare helicopter
Year introduced: 1961
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Top speed: 166 mph
Armament: Mk 44 / 46 torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, depth charges, 7.62mm machine guns
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Gunship helicopter
Year introduced: 1962
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Top speed: 95 mph
Armament: .30 caliber machine guns, miniguns, rocket pods, 40mm automatic grenade launcher
Public Domain / WIkimedia Commons
Type: Light armed scout helicopter
Year introduced: 1963
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Top speed: 109 mph
Armament: 7.62mm M60 machine guns, SS 10 anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods
Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
Type: Transport / utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1965
Country of origin: China
Manufacturer: Harbin
Top speed: 130 mph
Armament: Machine guns, rocket pods, machine gun pods
Type: Light utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1965
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Mil Helicopter Plant
Top speed: 124 mph
Armament: 23mm automatic cannons, rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles, air-to-air missiles
Type: Multirole medium-lift helicopter
Year introduced: 1967
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant / Russian Helicopters
Top speed: 162 mph
Armament: Rocket pods, Swatter missiles, Sagger missiles, Phalanga missiles, 12.7mm machine gun, cannon pods
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Medium-lift utility / transport helicopter
Year introduced: 1968
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Top speed: 140 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, rocket pods
Type: Medium transport / assault helicopter
Year introduced: 1969
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer: Aerospatiale
Top speed: 170 mph
Armament: Machine gun pods, cannon pods
Type: Light utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1970
Country of origin: Germany
Manufacturer: Airbus Helicopters
Top speed: 152 mph
Armament: HOT / HOT2 anti-tank missiles, TOW anti-tank missiles
VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Type: Lightweight multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1973
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer: Aerospatiale
Top speed: 165 mph
Armament: HOT anti-tank missiles, Mastra Mistal missiles, rocket pods, 7.62mm machine guns, 20mm GIAT autocannon
VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Type: Armed assault gunship / attack helicopter
Year introduced: 1973
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
Top speed: 208 mph
Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 23mm/30mm cannons, anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, machine gun pods, cannon pods, conventional drop bombs
Type: Multirole utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1976
Country of origin: Italy
Manufacturer: Leonardo
Top speed: 177 mph
Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, TOW anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, machine gun pods
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Medium-lift multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1977
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Top speed: 180 mph
Armament: Machine gun pods, rocket pods, cannon pods
Alan Wilson / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1978
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Leonardo-Finmeccanica
Top speed: 158 mph
Armament: TOW anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, 20mm automatic cannon, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, 7.62mm general purpose machine guns
Type: Medium-lift multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1979
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Top speed: 183 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, Hellfire missiles, GAU-19 12.7mm Gatling guns, M134D Gatling guns, FFAR rocket pods
Type: Medium-lift transport / gunship helicopter
Year introduced: 1981
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant / Russian Helicopters
Top speed: 158 mph
Armament: 23mm cannon pods, 7.62mm machine gun pods, rocket pods, Shturm-V missiles
VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Type: Medium-lift multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1982
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer: Aerospatiale / Airbus Helicopters
Top speed: 170 mph
Armament: 7.62mm gun pods, rocket pods, AM 39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, air-to-surface missiles
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1985
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer: Aerospatiale
Top speed: 190 mph
Armament: GIAT M621 20mm automatic cannon, rocket pods, AS 15 anti-ship missiles, HOT anti-tank missiles, 20mm cabin-mounted cannons, Mk 46 torpedoes
Type: Multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1985
Country of origin: Poland
Manufacturer: PZL-Swidnik
Top speed: 162 mph
Armament: 23mm autocannon, rocket pods, missiles, cannon pods, 12.7mm machine guns
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Light utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1990
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer: Aerospatiale / Airbus Helicopters
Top speed: 152 mph
Armament: 20mm GIAT M621 automatic cannon, 12.7mm machine gun pods, 7.62mm machine gun pods, rocket pods, TOW anti-tank missiles
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Special Forces gunship helicopter
Year introduced: 1990
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Top speed: 103 mph
Armament: 30mm M230 chain gun, Hydra rocket pods, GAU-19 gun pods, M134 minigun pods, Hellfire missiles, Stinger missiles
viper-zero / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Type: Medium-lift transport / gunship helicopter
Year introduced: 1994
Country of origin: China
Manufacturer: Harbin
Top speed: 190 mph
Armament: Air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, cannon pods, rocket pods, machine gun pods
Type: Multirole utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1995
Country of origin: Canada
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Top speed: 162 mph
Armament: 7.62mm C6 machine guns, 7.62mm Dillon Aero M134D miniguns
Type: Multirole light utility / attack helicopter
Year introduced: 1998
Country of origin: China
Manufacturer: Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation
Top speed: 173 mph
Armament: CS/LM12 minigun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, machine gun pods, air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs
Type: Medium-lift / multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1999
Country of origin: Italy
Manufacturer: Leonardo
Top speed: 192 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, rocket pods, depth charges
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Multirole medium-lift transport helicopter
Year introduced: 2002
Country of origin: India
Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautical Limited
Top speed: 174 mph
Armament: Anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, torpedoes, depth charges, anti-ship missiles
Type: Heavy assault gunship / attack helicopter
Year introduced: 2005
Country of origin: Russia
Manufacturer: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant / Russian Helicopters
Top speed: 193 mph
Armament: 23mm twin-barreled cannons, air-to-surface missiles, anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, cannon pods
viper-zero / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Type: Medium-lift utility / transport helicopter
Year introduced: 2009
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Top speed: 190 mph
Armament: Hydra rocket pods, M240D general purpose machine guns, 12.7mm GAU-16/A Gatling guns, 7.62mm GAU-17/A Gatling guns
Yevgeny Volkov / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Assault gunship helicopter
Year introduced: 2010
Country of origin: Brazil
Manufacturer: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant / Russian Helicopters
Top speed: 193 mph
Armament: 23mm twin-barreled gun, air-to-surface missiles, anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, cannon pods, machine gun pods
Pritishp333 / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Gunship / Multirole military helicopter
Year introduced: 2012
Country of origin: India
Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautical Limited
Top speed: 180 mph
Armament: 20mm M621 cannon, Helina anti-tank missiles, MBDA air-to-air missiles, rocket pods, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes
Type: Medium-lift multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 2013
Country of origin: South Korea
Manufacturer: Korea Aerospace Industries
Top speed: 162 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, TOW anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods
Type: Medium-lift multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 2015
Country of origin: Italy
Manufacturer: Leonardo-Finmeccanica
Top speed: 173 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, rocket pods
Type: Multi-mission military helicopter
Year introduced: 2018
Country of origin: China
Manufacturer: Harbin
Top speed: 171 mph
Armament: General purpose machine guns
williamhc / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Type: Tiltrotor technology demonstrator
Year introduced: 2020
Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Top speed: 265 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm heavy machine guns, conventional drop bombs, rocket pods, 20mm cannon
Type: Medium-lift gunship helicopter
Year introduced: 2023
Country of origin: South Korea
Manufacturer: Korea Aerospace Industries
Top speed: 202 mph
Armament: 20mm cannon, rocket pods, gun pods, air-to-ground missiles
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