This Helicopter Is the Workhorse of the US Air Force

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The Black Hawk plays a variety of roles like search and rescue, reconnaissance, transport and close-air support for militaries around the world
• Sikorsky Aircraft originally introduced these helicopters in 1979
• Black Hawk helicopters are typically outfitted with a series of machine guns and are capable of carrying Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles as well
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The Black Hawk is by far one of the most popular and prolific military helicopters in the world. It plays a variety of roles like search and rescue, reconnaissance, transport and close-air support. It sees extensive use throughout the U.S. military, especially, the U.S. Air Force.

Sikorsky Aircraft originally introduced these helicopters in 1979, and the Black Hawk continues to serve as a staple of the U.S. Army and Air Force, as well as many other militaries around the world. ( These are the fastest gunship helicopters of the modern era. )

Black Hawk helicopters are typically outfitted with a series of machine guns and are capable of carrying Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles as well. However, these helicopters are fairly versatile and can be outfitted a number of ways depending on the mission.

Special forces outfits also have different armaments for their operational needs. Other versions are outfitted specifically for transport or MedEvac with minimal armament.

The twin turboshaft engines on the Black Hawk allow for standard models to reach speeds over 180 mph, while other upgraded models can hit speeds over 220 mph. The combat radius for these attack helicopters is roughly 370 miles but they can ferry personnel nearly 1,400 miles. ( The gatling guns on this aircraft dominated the skies in Vietnam. )

24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the helicopters in the arsenal of the U.S. Air Force. To identify every helicopter in the U.S. Air Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft by how many are currently in active service. We also included supplemental data on the type of helicopter, top speed, and armament. We excluded trainer aircraft.

Here is a look at every helicopter in the U.S. Air Force: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the aircraft in the US Air Force is important because these aircraft play a pivotal role in maintaining national security and global stability. Each aircraft is designed for specific missions, from air superiority to strategic bombing and reconnaissance, which are essential for defending the country and projecting power abroad. Also knowing which aircraft are in service give context to military capabilities and a better understanding of national defense.

• Type: Medium-lift transport helicopter
• Year introduced: 1981
• Active aircraft: 1
• Top speed: 158 mph
• Armament: Shturm missiles, rocket pods, 23mm cannon pods, 7.62mm machine guns

This helicopter was originally designed at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant by the Soviet Union. While this is a widely used helicopter for many militaries around the world, the U.S. Air Force only has one. However, American engineering for other more advanced helicopters like the Black Hawk or Apache is more of a priority for the U.S. Air Force.

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