10 Priciest Military Helicopters in the World
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Helicopters are a key part of a country’s military power. They can move troops, attack targets, and carry out rescue missions. Some of these mighty machines come with a hefty price tag. Here’s a glimpse into the world of these top-dollar flyers.
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk – $21 Million
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When it comes to a do-it-all aircraft, the Black Hawk helicopter is a top pick. It was made by Sikorsky Aviation in 1979 as a replacement for an older model, and it’s been doing important jobs since the 1980s. It’s very flexible, able to both carry people and be set up with strong weapons and electronic warfare tools. This helicopter can shoot missiles like the AGM-114 Hellfires and AIM-92 Stingers. Plus, the most recent Black Hawks have powerful engines that let them fly really fast and be super agile.
Boeing AH-64 Apache – $31 Million
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Meet the classic American attack helicopter – the AH-64 Apache. Born in 1981, this bird gave the US military a strong way to handle enemies. It comes with a big gun by its landing gear and can carry different missiles or rocket pods. Apaches also have a special helmet system that lets pilots aim and fly just by moving their heads. This machine is amazing because it can change direction quickly and zoom through the air, impressing everyone who sees it in action.
Bell AH-1Z Viper – $31 Million
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Introduced in 2000 to the US Armed Forces, the AH-1Z Viper is a precise attack helicopter. It’s great at hitting targets from far away—better than many others. It has a fancy radar system and can fire missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinders. Plus, this helicopter has fewer parts that move than similar ones, making it tough and less likely to break down over time.
Kazam Mi-35 – $36 Million
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The Mi-35 is what the Russian military uses most for supporting its soldiers on the ground. It’s great at protecting troops or tackling enemy tanks from the sky. The design also allows soldiers to quickly hop in or out, even on rough land. It’s made for all sorts of tough situations and can land almost anywhere.
Denel Rooivalk – $40 Million
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This powerful aircraft from South Africa was made to be the best attack helicopter for their forces. It’s known for being able to move quickly and smoothly while carrying a lot of weapons. The Rooivalk can do a lot of different things and was created with strong engines, following in the footsteps of older models used by South Africa.
Eurocopter Tiger – $41 Million
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Some countries in Europe teamed up to answer to strong military helicopters from other places. They created the Eurocopter, which can do lots of missions like spying, destroying tanks, and protecting soldiers. It’s special because it can be super agile, doing full spins in the air, and still has strong engines to go really fast.
Sikorsky Sea Hawk – $43 Million
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This big helicopter was made for the US Navy who needed a tough one for fights at sea. They wanted something that could search for and rescue people, and also carry a lot of equipment. The Sea Hawk can also fight against ships with its torpedoes. Its size and advanced design make it one of the most expensive military helicopters.
NH-90 – $50 Million
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The NH-90 is a collaboration from various European companies who wanted to make a helicopter for NATO that could also work at sea. It started being used in 2007 and was the first military helicopter with controls that are all electronic, nothing manual. There are two types – one for the army and the other for use with navy ships, serving in 13 countries.
Boeing V22 Osprey – $72 Million
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Starting service in 2007, the V-22 Osprey is unique because it can tilt its rotors. This lets it zoom like a plane or take off and land quickly like a helicopter. The Osprey got a lot of attention because it cost so much to make. The price went from billions of dollars estimated in the mid-1980s to many more billions by the end of the decade. The military needed it to do special things, like having wings that fold to fit on navy ships, which drove up the cost.
Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion – $95 Million
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This massive helicopter is the costliest of them all and it’s being made for the US Marine Corp. It will be the new big-duty helicopter, meant to replace an older version. The King Stallion can carry huge loads, like pallets full of gear or even a small armored truck. It’s powered by huge engines and can fly super fast. They have had some for testing since 2014, and when they’re ready, they will do important work for the Marines.
