Re: Helo News game related.
 

The PRC has accepted the Z-18A medium transport helicopter into service with the PLA's Army Aviation:

http://defence-blog.com/news/chinese-army-finally-accepts-z-18a-helicopters-into-service.html

https://china-defense.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/pla-army-aviation-inducts-two-z-18a.html

http://china-defense.blogspot.co.uk/...rigade-is.html

Re: Helo News game related.
 

The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC) have received their first two multirole helicopters from the country's arms agency. The aircraft, which have been referred to by official news agency Yonhap as the MUH-1 or ‘Marineon’ helicopter, was developed by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI).

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/nort...001500315.html

http://www.janes.com/article/76933/s...ty-helicopters

https://youtu.be/iQLWWcRYZkA

The MUH-1 is the Marine version of the KUH-1 Surion used by the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAI_KUH-1_Surion

Re: Helo News game related.
 

The British Army is set to retire the Lynx AH.9a (obat07/ unit 552) this month.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...t-lynx-444809/

Re: Helo News game related.
 

The Royal Jordanian Air Force has received its first Mi-26T2 Halo heavy transport helicopter:

https://defpost.com/royal-jordanian-...rt-helicopter/

http://www.jordantimes.com/news/loca...6t2-joins-rjaf

Re: Helo News game related.
 

The February issue of AirForces Monthly reports that Spain has retired the last of their UH-1H Hueys (HU.10H unit 504). They are reported to have been withdrawn from service on December 12th.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Portuguese Air Force receive the AW119 Mk.II Koala (Change game data)(it can carry 7 soldiers)
Alouette-III is on service
Waiting for the Armed AW119 version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=9MXB1NtQdKE

Thanks

Re: Helo News game related.
 

The first of the 70 in total OH-58 Kiowa helicopters has arrived in Greece:

https://www.ptisidiastima.com/greek-...tter-of-hours/

sorry, the article is in Greek, but the general message is what I wrote.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

They are here (Hellenic Army) 70 OH-58D and 10 CH-47SD
Arrived on the 14th of May 2019.
Article in English. Photos included.
http://en.protothema.gr/the-oh-58d-k...e-here-photos/

Re: Helo News game related.
 

SIPRI Data: Transfers of major weapons: Deals with deliveries or orders made for 2015 to 2018.

France
R: Greece 20 NH-90 TTH Transport helicopter 2003 2011-2017 (20) EUR546 m deal (originally EUR657 m but reduced 2010 as compensation for delayed delivery; offsets 120% incl production of components in Greece); option on 14 more; first delivery delayed from 2006 to 2011

Italy
R: Greece 12 P2002 Sierra Light aircraft 2018 2018 12 P2002JF version; for training

United States
R: Greece 10 CH-47D Chinook Transport helicopter 2015 2016-2017 (10) Second-hand; $126 m deal; CH-47SD version

46 Bell-206/OH-58D(I) Combat helicopter 2017 2018 (46) Second-hand (24 more delivered for spare parts only); OH-58D version.

If you need the month of deliveries let me know, otherwise this FYI only.

It's late and I have things to do before work.

Have a great day!

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Helo News game related.
 

If anyone is interested, a few more and larger photos from the delivery/unloading. The article is in Greek.

https://www.protothema.gr/greece/art...kiowa-warrior/

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Their is a report in the July issue of Combat Aircraft that the first 2 MV-22B Ospreys for Japans Ground Self Defense Force arrived at MCAS Iwakuni on May 8th. They are to undergo testing and inspection by U.S. Marine Core personnel before being turned over to the JGSDF late this month or in early July. According to the report Japans first Osprey pilots are still in training at MCAS New River in North Carolina, so it will still be some time before they are operational.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

The USMC retired the AH-1W yesterday 19 OCT. 2020 and from REF.2 the final Sortie was flown on...
"The last AH-1W sortie was flown on Oct. 14 by HMLA-773 Detachment A at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana."

So there you have it.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...upercobra-helo
https://seapowermagazine.org/marine-...a-helicopters/


There's plenty more where they came on the web now but, these should be enough.

For as part of an ongoing discussion, see Jets and Planes Thread Post #568.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Australia picks the AH-64E as the replacement for the Tiger ARH

https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/t...elects-ah-64e/

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...ce-helicopters

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Not necessarily news, but there is no Bristol Sycamore for the British available https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Sycamore
I've just read in "War Machine", that in Cyprus: The Sycamore played a crucial role in Britain's operations against the EOKA terrorists, pioneering new mountain flying and helicopter assault techniques and specializing in swift cordon and search operations (sometimes using cabin mounted machine-guns for defence suppresion).

It could carry 2+3, and was used since 1955 in action (available from 1953, though rather in SAR missions), until 1971. If you'd like to add it, a wheeled slender icon like 1908 (Mi-1) would be OK as a quick measure.

An easy addition would be also Westland Dragonfly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_WS-51_Dragonfly - copied eg. from Canadian 402 Sikorsky S51 (albeit the icon doesn't remind this helicoper and again 1908 would be almost perfect). However, I don't know if they were used for anything else than casualty evacuation. Crew was 1, but it could take 3 passengers.

BTW: I don't know if and when original 524 Bell Scout entered British service, but when it was built by Westland (reportedly from 1965 only?), it was known as Westland Sioux - so maybe it should be renamed Sioux https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_H-13_Sioux Carry capacity was only 1+2, with no place for 3 passengers, and probably no possibility of carrying a cargo.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

I don't want to talk politics; however I think to characterize the EOKA as terrorists is a stretch. In Cyprus the EOKA fought to unite Cyprus with Greece. While I understand you're quoting from "War Machine" I am moved to protest. The EOKA were nationalist fighting to kick the Brits out of their country.

<br>

Re: Helo News game related.
 

During the time the Sycamore would be in service there are far more useful helos available with a greater carry capacity which is why it's not included.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

They also engaged in intimidation that targeting civilians and murdered people they considered "traitors" and that's why a number of sources call them terrorists. They were not lilly white "freedom fighters"

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Maybe, but it was Sycamore, that was actually used ;) The Whirlwind came about that time, but the article says, that Sycamore proved the superiority at higher altitudes in Cyprus mountains. Of course, treat it just as a hint, you are the boss. In any case, they sometimes flew with Bren guns.

BTW: I've just checked in said "War machine" no 96 and it seems, that Belvedere appears much too early (1950) - its predecessor first flew in 1952, and series Belvederes were delivered to the RAF from 8/1961 only, and remained until 3/69 (now 65).

Of course, it was not my intention and I don't know who was right. Killing people is generally bad. Although calling armed bands as "terrorists" or "freedom fighters" depends largely on a point of view...

Re: Helo News game related.
 

I guess some adjustments need to be made....... In any event, it would go in as a light helo UC 204

Re: Helo News game related.
 

BTW, there is a mention about 3 troops carried (and 12 delivered by four helos), but if Sycamore had capacity 1+4 for game purpose, it could carry an existing scout section (I don't know if two pilots were mandatory and why they didn't use up its small capacity 2+3 better...).

Re: Helo News game related.
 

There's a new Icon for the HOK-1 Huskie which is the weirdest damned helo I have ever seen but it was designed by Flettner and there's just nothing else like it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRI1roI-vk4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R_T0UgL7jk

Re: Helo News game related.
 

I've noticed, that Belvedere (British, I assume) is present also in Malaysian oob in the same period. Speaking of which, 320 Whirlwind has Wessex icon.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

I've read an article on A129 Mangusta development in Polish "Nowa Technika Wojskowa" 9/2015, and it shows, that Italian Mangustas shouldn't use Hellfire, and they should have 20 mm gun instead of 12.7mm.

Italian OOB34

505 A-129 Mangusta - only Mangusta CBT were integrated with Stinger, not early variant.

506 A-129 Mangusta - there were no Italian Mangustas with Hellfire, especially early variant. It was only proposed for export Mangusta International variant (confirmed at https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW129 )

507,510 A-129 CBT - there were no Hellfire armed Italian variants

508,509 A-129 CBT - it should have #179 20 mm M197 gun, not 12.7mm.
However, TI and RF values should remain on ordinary A-129 level, because there were no substantial changes in this field, mostly engines and armament (no TI, no laser RF). EW has been improved, FC could have been improved as well (newer software)

I'm not sure if 7 x 2x81 mm rockets is correct, since it carries two launchers with 7 rockets each (1 rocket for 1 HE?)

Hellfire-armed 507, 510 should be replaced with new A-129D Mangusta with 20 mm M197 gun and Spike-ER (I don't know how many - 4?), with all remaining stats based upon current A-129 CBT (TI 40, EW 7, FC 40, RF 14).
Modified helicopters were tested from 9/13, but I'm not sure when they became operational. According to https://zbiam.pl/12-tys-godzin-wlosk...-afganistanie/ they operated over Afghanistan since 11/2014

A-129 CBT with 8 TOW and 2x7 81mm rockets is also possible https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mangusta_EI.jpg

910 Agusta 129 EA-1 - there was no such Italian variant in 1997. Only export International was proposed wih 20 mm gun at that time. Italian A129 CBT was fitted with 20mm gun eventually, but appeared in 2002 (units 507-510). 51mm rockets are not listed as A129 armament - only 81 mm and 70 mm Hydra


Turkey OOB32


620-623 T-129 - basic T-129A were commissioned from 6/14, but armed with 20mm M179 Gattling and 70 mm rockets only (up to 4 x 19).

Only T-129B were meant to be armed with UMTAS AT-missiles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTAS) - no Hellfire or Tow used.
It can use also Cirit rockets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roketsan_Cirit and Stingers. They were to be delivered from late 2015, but I'm not sure if they have entered service already.

Name could be T129 ATAK https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/TUSA%C5%9E_T-129_Atak (it also confirms deliveries of the first one in 4/14)

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Hungary OOB 38

Bought 20 helicopters H145M - deliveries starting from 11/19 https://www.airforce-technology.com/...pters-hungary/

From 11/20 several were upgraded to H145M HForce armed variant, apparently typically with one 12-tube rocket launcher (68 mm or 70 mm, I don't know which they chose) and 20 mm gun pod (photo: https://milmag.pl/uzbrojone-h145m-na-wegrzech/). According to https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...an-h145m-helos they were going to be operational only in 7/21.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Poland OOB02

I was quite surprised to read in Polish Nowa Technika Wojskowa 6/21, that Mi-2URP (unit 117) and URP-G (unit 740), with Malutka missiles, still serve in Polish Army (of course, rather for combat training purpose - however, they are currently the only Polish helicopters with anti-tank - well, maybe "anti-AFV" missiles rather... Polish Mi-24 are still lacking ATGMs). Predictably, they will serve until 2025 at least... Part have been modified to use night vision goggles, but I don't know if it enhances vision.

On the other hand, other armed variants of Mi-2: URN/URNG (#115/741) with rockets and US with machine guns (#742) most probably ceased to be used well before 2015 - I would say 2005 at best.

967 Mi-2 Kania - PZL Kania was a Polish variant of Mi-2 with western engines https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PZL_Kania , but unfortunately only 19 were made and were not used by Polish Army.

963 SW-3W Huzar - unfortunately, pure fiction. There were only technology demonstrators with South African missiles (1993), then HOT-3 (1999) and Spike (2016), but there are no plans to buy any.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

When you mentioned about this Mi-2 still in usage I dig and found some propostion of improved more detailed Mi-2 icons which I d'like to share. These are of course generic without weapons but if will be usefully I can made variants with with Rockets and ATGM's

https://forum.shrapnelgames.com/atta...1&d=1630914428

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Nice work Blazejos !!!:up:

Re: Helo News game related.
 

I've found a new article on Polish helicopters (Nowa Technika Wojskowa 4/2021), according to which #742 Mi-2US was introduced in mid-1971 (say, 1/72) and retired already in late 1970s - rebuilt to URN and URP (now 73-115)

741 Mi-2URNG - I was going to write, that the variant with Strela AAMs in addition to rockets surely didn't appear as early as 1973 - but when I started to dig, I haven't found any sign, that it actually existed, even as a prototype (there was first a prototype URS with Strelas only). The mentioned article says, that Strelas were adapted only for missile-armed URP-G.

Maybe missile load of 117,740 Mi-2URP / URPG could be doubled - they carried 4 missiles on launchers, but additional 4 were carried inside, and could be reloaded in a few minutes after landing in field.
The latter's designation is always written as URP-G. According to the article, it was tested in 1987 and commissioned only in 1988 (now 1/87)

114 Mi-4A - all but one withdrawn already by 10/84, last one in 7/85 (now 12/85)

Mi-6 were also used in 1/86 - 8/90 (could be copied from Russian oob, but unarmed)

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Ecuador OOB82

Received H145 Cobra from 10/2020 - apparently unarmed https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/04...us-h145-cobra/

Re: Helo News game related.
 

It would appear these are not already in the game and it would appear that at least 6 OOB's should have them so this goes on the list for the next update.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Hi
Have a question will be usefully if I will done this new icon's for Mi-2 with ATGM's and MMG's for other than only polish OOB will be some benefit from that for the game?

I looked for Mi-2 versions

Mi-2T basic transport (may be armed in 2xPK in rear windows)
Mi-2P Vip transport
Mi-2US (Uzbrojenie Strzeleckie) NS-23mm & 4 PK MMG's on sides installed on small wings 30 examples build because not very effective rebuild to different versions letter. First deliveries to units in November 1973
Mi-2URN (Uzbrojenie Rakietowe Niekierowane) NS-23mm & 2PK in windows & 2x pods with 16 57mm rockets unguided S-5K or S-5M on small wings first build in this version in 1972 some rebuild from Mi-2US 26 build. First delivery January 1973
Mi-2URP (Uzbrojenie Rakietowe Przeciwpancerne) NS-23mm & with Malutka guided rockets 4 rockets on sides + 4 additional inside for fast reloading. Between 1975- 1985 44 build for LWP. Last 3 build in new standard Mi-2URP-G rest in meantime rebuild for this new standard
Mi-2URS(Uzbrojenie Rakietowe Samonaprowadzające) NS-23mm & with Striela-2M rockets build as "fighter" against aircraft's. Experiments starts in 1982 but such specialised helicopter with limited AA capabilities rockets wasn't very usefully so was decided to go with mixed next version. So this variant was only experimental
Mi-2URP-G (URP plus Gad), Know as "Gniewosz-Salamandra" NS-23mm & with combined 4x Malutka and 4x Striela 2M rockets ( 2x Gad pods). Only 3 build as new helicopters rest rebuild from variant Mi-2URP. So they were armed with 4x Malutka'and 4x Striela 2M. Sometimes in units armed with 2x Malutka and Gad pod from one side and 1x pod with 16 57mm rockets S-5K/M from other side that configuration was used because flexibility during training. In 2007 14x helicopters of armed variants were modified with Night vision googles.

Ns-23mm
https://histmag.org/grafika/articles3/mi2/2.jpg

Mars-2 pod
https://histmag.org/grafika/articles3/mi2/3.jpg

Malutka firings pod
https://histmag.org/grafika/articles3/mi2/4.jpg

Malutka and Gad from Gniewosz-Salamandra
https://histmag.org/grafika/articles3/mi2/5.jpg


Mi-2 "Platan" with device to lay minefields carry around 20 mines introduced in 1985 used until 1995

Mi-2D "Przełącznik" for carry HQ with radio devices and space for maps around 25 build since 1974 used until 2000

Mi-2RO (Rozpoznania Ogólnego) for general observation duties with aerial photo also since 1974 first armed only in PK guns in windows since 1977 also build in variant 23mm NS & 2x PK in windows.

Mi-2RM sea rescue unarmed variant & Mi-2RL inland rescue also without weapons but with search light 10 build since 1975

Mi-2RS "Padalec" with specialised equipment to detect atomic radiation levels on battlefield since 1978 letter added also device WDZ-80

Mi-2CH "Hekla with device to WDZ-80 for building a smoke cover for units in 1980 all helicopters Hekla & Padalec were equipped in smoke generators

Mi-2B build for Libya in 1979-80 with western King avionics and communication equipment. 40 build and used as armed version in Libya.

Mi-2 Plus improved engine & western avionics modernisation since 2000 in Poland used only by civilian users.

And here most famous Mi-2 in civilian version which comes to classic 007 story and played in "For your eyes only" Story of the pilot and machine witch English subtitles
https://youtu.be/BtNIvC92AyE

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Don can you also add to Philippine OOB polish

PZL W-3A Sokół

They have 8 and they can carry 2x M60 machine gun in doors on both sides one from each side. Except that they are unarmed and they have them since 2012/2013 exactly since February 2012 according to this article https://www.globalsecurity.org/milit...elicopters.htm I have no exactly icon but one of polish green one can be used
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...cropped%29.jpg


And video where is possible to see how MG is installed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td1GzqZbj3s

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz3-xDfpy...49996326_n.jpg

Czech has also 11 and in icons list is even as special icon in Czech variant camo which is not used in Czech OOB. They have now 10 of them and they are unarmed They buy them in 1995 in exchange for their Mig-29

here photo in Czech painting
https://www.altair.com.pl/files/news...1-159sokol.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Air_Forces.jpg

Third airforce is Myanmar
has 13 in variant PZL W-3 Sokół unarmed transport version since 1991
here photos in their airforce https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/construction-number/310404

And last military operator is Algeria 8 helicopters since 2012 acording to this source https://www.helis.com/database/model...-3/%20?filc=DZ Variant W-3A transport version so probably MG is what is installed like in Philippine version.
Photos of Algerian Desert variant of Sokół https://www.airplane-pictures.net/ph...pzl-w-3-sokol/

here list of users https://www.helis.com/database/model...-3/%20?filc=DZ

And official list of repairs in their helicopters in different airforces by PZL Świdnik https://www.pzlswidnik.pl/en/wsparci...cje-techniczne

Re: Helo News game related.
 

China last year unveiled their Z-8L Heavy Lift Helo.

Recently, Chinese State Media showed a lineup of Z-8Ls waiting for take off:

https://i.imgur.com/lizl2he.jpg

Currently, we have the Z-8A (Unit 128) in the game.

Differences between the Z-8A and the Z-8L are:

The L model is wider so it can accommodate a Bobcat ATV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0pdb4RRpNo)

The A model is a 13 ton class helicopter, while the L model is 15 ton class.

L has better countermeasures such as RWRs and IR decoys.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

The Chinese introduced the Z-20 into service in October 2019.

https://i.imgur.com/9IkwTt8.jpg

The Z-20 is basically a Chineseized advanced version of the S-70C-2 Blackhawks (Unit 122) that China acquired in 1984 before Tiannamen.

It's not a straight Blackhawk clone though.

It has a 5 bladed rotor (Blackhawk has 4-bladed rotor), more powerful engines (2400 SHP vs 2000 shp on Blackhawk), and various improved technologies allowing it to work above 13,200 ft.

Recently, Z-20s have been seen with external weapons pylons, similar to the Blackhawk.

https://i.imgur.com/OcjlQNY.jpg

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Key.Aero is reporting that the first of 12 AH-1Zs ordered by the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2019 has been completed. It will be shipped to Bahrain sometime next year, but no exact date yet. Am I correct in assuming this goes in the Gulf States OB file?

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Yes. Thanks

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Poland has also Blackhawks 4x S-70i already but only in Special forces since 20/12/2019 so in reality January 2020 will be correct. And now have buy 4 more in 2021 also for special forces
https://www.gov.pl/web/obrona-narodowa/black-hawk

https://radar.rp.pl/smiglowce-dla-sp...ly-black-hawki

https://i.gremicdn.pl/image/free/314...:390,enlarge:1

As you can see this 8x helicopters are armed with guns in doors from both sides

There are also 3x S-70i unarmed Blackhawk's in Police in dark blue colour
since November 2018
https://twitter.com/MSWiA_GOV_PL/sta...licji%2F257107
https://wmeritum.pl/wp-content/uploa...wk-750x375.jpg

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Rare and not typical - if it is added, it should be separated from ordinary army helicopters (say, 221 Light Attack Helicopter class)

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Or an X3 radio code would do as a "not for the AI" item.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Could be - but human players also should know, that it is not an ordinary workhorse of Polish air cavalry, more luring, than W-3 Sokół...

And now for something completely different:
Japan

363, 364, 951 OH-64DJP Apache - according to Polish monographic article ("Nowa Technika Wojskowa" 6/2018), the first was given to military tests in 3/06, and several were used in military exercises from in 8/07, but first helicopters were delivered to regular combat unit only in 3/10 and achieved readiness by 12/10 [now 1/06].
Very rare machine - only 13 made (11 in Japan, throughout 2007-14).

AH-64DJP was Boeing's designation, but Japanese forces call it just "AH-64D" (not OH). The same says Japanese Wikipedia, according to the translator https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-64D...83%9C%E3%82%A6

Same for 359, 362, 366 OH-1S Cobra - https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-1_%...83%96%E3%83%A9 says AH-1S.

Same for 360, 950 OH-1N - https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/UH-1_(...9%BA%E6%A9%9F) says UH-1 in Japanese context, however there are only UH-1B, H and J used. Japan isn't mentioned as UH-1N Twin Huey user here https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/UH-1N_...83%BC%E3%82%A4

OH-1 is a different Japanese helicopter (unit 343)

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Then put some text to that effect in the unit description text as well as giving it an x3 code?.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

As you like. Maybe you'd want me to write encyclopedia descriptions for Polish units then?.. ;)

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Spain

520-523 - HA.28 - according to article in Polish "Lotnictwo" 6/21 and Spanish https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_EC665_Tigre it has a name "Tigre".
First version used in Spain was HAP (and it might have been its designation - Helicóptero de Apoyo y Protección), but it was armed only in 30mm gun, rockets and Mistrals.

Spike was introduced only with Tigre HAD (Helicóptero de Ataque y Destrucción), delivered from 2015 and probably operational from 2016, when they fired first Spike [now: all 1/08]

Now we have HAP units 520 and 521 with 4 Mistrals and 22 or 44 rockets. Since it can carry 44 rockets and 4 Mistrals, a weaker one seems redundant. But, as this photo shows https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...547548575).jpg, maybe unit 520, instead of Mistrals, should carry 68 rockets?...

501,502 HR.15 (Bo-105) - withdrawn in 2017 (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBB_Bo_105 )

Eurocopter EC-135 is used as a light helicopter from 2007 (as HU.26) (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:...ic%C3%B3pteros )

We have unit 582 HE.26, but it is wrong - photo and capacity suggest EC Panther or something similar, but HE.26 is a designation of training HU.26 = EC.135 (light helicopter).


507 HT.21L (Puma) - still in use, according to the article and last quoted page (not for long, to be replaced with last deliveries of NH-90)

BTW: should 506 and 507 HT.21 have carry capacity 220? French Pumas have 120, and 509 HT.27 (Cougar) has 125.

581 NH-90 TTH - according to the same page https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:...ic%C3%B3pteros Entrada en servicio: 2014 [1/10]

(BTW: I've just searched for NH-90 in German oob... and it seems it isn't there! Used from 2012 at least)

Re: Helo News game related.
 

More precisely, according to the quoted article, first two were delivered in 9/16 (in 2014 a contract was signed). I don't know when they became operational in significant number, though.
Spanish designation is HT.29.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Seems the Indians are arming their Russian-made helos with Spike NLOS missiles.

https://organiser.org/2022/04/24/777...ided-missiles/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/91049275.cms

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/20...g-missile.html

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Mil Mi-2 helicopters were traditionally build in Świdnik Polish Peoples Republic for whole Warsaw Pact and friendly States during cold war. So never were build in USSR factories. But after fall of Soviet Union new Ukrainian State which inherit some Mil construction Bureau blueprints starts to manufacture new modernised variant by Motor-Sich with new glass cockpit. So as for now Ukraine is only manufacturer of Mi-2 because Poland stops to build them quite long time ago and they aren't build in Russia.

Mi-2AM-1
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...2019%2C_01.jpg

Main difference which is possible to see is longer front nose and different engines than in older Mi-2

https://www.globalplanesearch.com/li...il-MI-2/263235

As you can see here there is now fundraiser to sponsor building this helicopter in Motorsich factory what my help also boost local econmy on Ukraine.
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/poland-fun...s-for-ukraine/


Before this new variant were build Mi-2MSB in Ukraine
Nose is like in older helicopters probably cockpit wasn't with glass technology but engine is like in this new variant

https://cdn.airplane-pictures.net/im...15/1156282.jpg

In 2015 25 were build in armed variant for Ukrainian army
https://uprom.info/wp-content/upload...1_n.jpg?x33944

here more photos of this armed variant
https://defence24.pl/sily-zbrojne/pr...glowca-mi-2msb

And here article from 2021 that they were delivered to navy
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrai...pers-1796.html

https://en.defence-ua.com/media/illu...693c00d792.jpg

Re: Helo News game related.
 

I just found about another very light helicopter build until war in Kharkiv and most likely used on front-line even if is not official in Ukrainian army probably as a spotter and light liaison.

АК1-3
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/uh/za6.html
https://www.facebook.com/aerocopter.ak1.3/

here destroyed helicopter on front-line
http://www.ukraviaforum.com/index.php/topic,1950.0.html

And here article about Russian conversion of that helicopter to UAV drone
https://defence-blog.com/russia-conv...er-into-drone/

Re: Helo News game related.
 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...h=528dbfd87823


How The Ukrainians Wrecked the Russians’ Best Helicopter Regiments
In part....

and further

Re: Helo News game related.
 

Well, it feels like beating a dead horse again but...

...helos in the game are WAAAY too resilient. Their countermeasures are godly effective (to the point that no SAM can have more than 5% chance of hitting them), but even the few times that are hit, barely if any damage is scored. I remember this in the WW3 scenarios where Ka-52s are the vehicles from hell that absolutely dominate open field warfare and force you to hide and try to take potshots at them with ATGMs when hovering (!!!)

If this and large caliber HE effectiveness vs. tanks is improved, then the game is perfect.

disclaimer: I havent played the latest patch extensively, so some of these stuff may have already been fixed.

Re: Helo News game related.
 

There had been some tweaks last time and I HAVE seen >5% "to hit" and I HAVE seen gunship helos taken down by manpads but this is on our "to investigate further" list. Just had a conversation with Andy about that when we start work probably January. We are thinking ( but have NOT yet fully investigated ) that like the glorious AT defensive systems allegedly common on all those Russian tanks now scrap metal that perhaps the EW ratings for the helos are a bit "generous".....BUT it may be that the "issue" is with the SAM/ manpads. That's what we need to investigate.

Remember the game is built on a lot of guesswork as "real life" data like we are getting now is rare. There has not been wide-open European combined arms combat on this scale since 1945 so there is a bit of a tsunami of data coming in

This type of thing harkens back to the game's very roots. I remember referring to the German HT's in the original SP as the "Murder Machines"