Helicopters play an important role in the U.S. military. These essential aircraft offer flexibility and responsiveness that few other aircraft can match. They perform a number of tasks, including transporting troops and supplies, conducting search-and-rescue missions, aiding in medical evacuations, and taking on reconnaissance missions. Helicopters are used across every branch of the armed forces and designed to operate in diverse environments. They are defined by versatility, durability, and mission-specific performance.
Taking a look at every helicopter in the U.S. military reveals the remarkable range of these aircraft. A number of models exist; each designed for a distinct operational need. Some are built for heavy lifting, while others are made for stealth and special operations. Many are equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems. Together, these helicopters form a major piece of American military power, providing services that fixed-wing aircraft simply can’t accommodate.
To identify all of the helicopters in active service in the U.S. military, 24/7 Wall St. referenced the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. The helicopters are ranked by the number of units in active service. We included all variants of each helicopter in the count and excluded all helicopters from the Coast Guard. Supplemental data regarding the type of helicopter, how many are in active service, and how many are on order came from FlightGlobal.
This post was updated on December 20, 2025 to include a brief overview of our history with military helicopters.
Military helicopters play an important role in modern military operations. These aircraft are integral to the U.S. armed forces, making up 41.2% of America’s air power, which equates to 5,463 helicopters currently in service. Reviewing the specific craft that the United States has in its arsenal helps us understand our country’s military capabilities.
Here is a look at every helicopter in the U.S. military:
18. Airbus H125
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Variants: H125, AS350
- Active in military: 1
- Helicopters on order: 0
17. Mil Mi-24 Hind
- Type: Trainer
- Active in military: 1
- Helicopters on order: 0
16. MH-139 Grey Wolf
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Active in military: 4
- Helicopters on order: 78
15. Bell 407
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Active in military: 10
- Helicopters on order: 0
14. Mi-8/17 Hip
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Variants: Mi-8, Mi-17
- Active in military: 10
- Helicopters on order: 0
13. Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Active in military: 11
- Helicopters on order: 193
12. MH-53E Sea Dragon
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Active in military: 26
- Helicopters on order: 0
11. MH-6 Little Bird
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Variants: MD500 (AH/MH-6)
- Active in military: 47
- Helicopters on order: 74
10. Leonardo AW119 Koala
- Type: Trainer
- Active in military: 59
- Helicopters on order: 71
9. TH-57 Sea Ranger
- Type: Trainer
- Active in military: 113
- Helicopters on order: 0
8. Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Active in military: 135
- Helicopters on order: 0
7. Bell AH-1Z Viper
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Active in military: 176
- Helicopters on order: 0
6. Bell UH-1
- Type: Combat helicopter, trainer
- Variants: OH-58 Kiowa, UH-1 Iroquois, UH-1N Twin Huey, UH-1Y Venom
- Active in military: 230
- Helicopters on order: 0
5. Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Variants: CV-22, MV-22
- Active in military: 367
- Helicopters on order: 69
4. Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota
- Type: Combat helicopter, trainer
- Variants: H145 (UH-72A/B)
- Active in military: 483
- Helicopters on order: 30
3. Boeing CH-47 Chinook
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Variants: CH-47D/F/MH-47G
- Active in military: 510
- Helicopters on order: 57
2. Boeing AH-64 Apache
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Variants: AH-64D/E
- Active in military: 824
- Helicopters on order: 15
1. S-70 Black Hawk
- Type: Combat helicopter, trainer
- Variants: HH-60G, U, W, MH-60G, EH, MH, UH-60, MH-60R/S, UH-60A/L
- Active in military: 2,853
- Helicopters on order: 455
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