Difference between revisions of "HKP9A"

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{{About
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| about = Swedish utility helicopter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
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;Skins
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=hkp9a_cb2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
;Images
 
;Images

Revision as of 18:46, 8 December 2022

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the Swedish utility helicopter HKP9A. For the other version, see HKP9A (FC).
HKP9A
hkp9a_cb2.png
GarageImage HKP9A.jpg
HKP9A
AB RB SB
9.7 9.3 9.7
Research:360 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:980 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The HKP9A is a rank VI Swedish utility helicopter with a battle rating of 9.7 (AB/SB) and 9.3 (RB). It was introduced in Update "Wind of Change".

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 0 m242 km/h
Max altitude5 180 m
Engine2 х Allison 250-C20B
Power420 hp
Take-off weight3 t

The HKP9A is a light utility helicopter operated by the Swedish army. Although different in designation, the helicopter is identical in flight performance to the German BO 105 CB-2, only being differentiated in loadout options. This family of helicopters are some of the most agile in game, able to perform most advanced manoeuvres without sacrificing a lot of altitude. All control surfaces are incredible responsive and quickly react to any input a pilot throws at it. This can often allow pilots to be much more aggressive when facing gunfire, as the helicopter can change directions almost immediately. On top of this, the HKP9A is one of the smallest helicopters in the game, making it difficult to both spot and shoot down. It is this small profile that allows the helicopter to manoeuvre with ease, as it is very lightweight. A consequence, however, of this weight saving, is the lacklustre engine power that despite its size makes the HKP9A slow in both top speed and climb rate. Although not detrimental to its general combat effectiveness, it can be a noticeable downside especially when avoiding incoming aircraft, or trying to gain altitude over mountains.

Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
Max altitude
(metres)
AB RB
Stock 215 196 5180
Upgraded 257 242

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural300 km/h
Gear320 km/h

As the HKP9A is a light utility helicopter, the vehicle lacks any form of protection against small arms fire. The helicopter has directly exposed pilots at the front, and a fuel tank stretching the entire underside of the vehicle. This makes it so that a lot of hits from below sets the helicopter ablaze, while most hits from the front knocks out both crew members. This makes the flak jacket modification a vital component for protection as it can allow the crew to survive longer in battle. The engine is also prone to catching fire, and the lack of significant thrust makes the loss of one of the two powerplants enough to take it down.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB10 186 → 12 926 Sl icon.png
RB3 626 → 4 601 Sl icon.png
SB6 058 → 7 687 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications277 000 Rp icon.png
428 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 300 Ge icon.png
Crew training280 000 Sl icon.png
Experts980 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 000 Ge icon.png
Research Aces830 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 300 / 420 % Sl icon.png
208 / 208 / 208 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
18 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods cd 98 main rotor.png
Replacing helicopter blades
Research:
21 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
32 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
35 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
54 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png
Mods heli flak jacket.png
Flak jacket
Research:
18 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods heli structure.png
Helicopter frame
Research:
21 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
32 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
90 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
140 000 Sl icon.png
1 100 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Research:
18 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
28 000 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods gunpods.png
FFV UNI-pod
Research:
21 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
32 000 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun
Research:
35 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
54 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (3)
Setup 18 x RB 55B Heli TOW missiles
Setup 22 x 12.7 mm FN M3P machine gun (ammunition: 300 rounds)
Setup 34 x RB 55B Heli TOW missiles
1 x 12.7 mm FN M3P machine gun (ammunition: 400 rounds)

The HKP9A can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 8 x RB 55B Heli TOW missiles

The eight TOW missiles is the most ideal loadout for the HKP9A as it allows for a lot of stopping power against ground vehicles. Having this amount of missiles is fantastic, especially for its class, where four or six missiles is usually the average. Despite this quantity, the general flight performance stays almost identical, still allowing for aggressive manoeuvring.

  • 2 x 12.7 mm FN M3P machine guns (150 rpg = 300 total)
  • 1 x 12.7 mm FN M3P machine gun (400 rpg) + 4 x RB 55B Heli TOW missiles

A researchable modification on the HKP9A is the installation of 12.7 mm gunpods fixed against the fuselage. This weapon type can be carried one on each side or in combination with the TOW launcher. Although this weapon type limits the quantity of missiles the helicopter is able to carry, it gives the HKP9A some form of self-defense against flying targets, as it lacks any sort of air-to-air capabilities otherwise. It can be worthwhile for a player to carry a combination of missiles and guns if they expect to face off against other helicopters.

Usage in battles

As this helicopter is incredibly light with a lot of firepower for its class, the general playstyle should be one of risk-reward. The HKP9A can be played effectively in both long range and close range territory, depending on what a pilot prefers. Both playstyles can be equally effective employed correctly but have their own drawbacks.

Defensive playstyle

As the HKP9A carries missiles with almost 4 kilometres of firing range, staying out of sight from close range SPAA is one way to approach the helicopter. A pilot can in this case decide to utilize cover around the map, hiding behind buildings and mountains peeking out of cover to fire on stationary targets. This playstyle is most optimal when the enemy has a lot of SPAA active. Most of these players will be stationary in their spawn point looking for enemy helicopters, which the HKP9A can take full advantage of.

As a downside to this playstyle, the HKP9A is very vulnerable to incoming aircraft, as the helicopter has to operate entirely by itself. Being situated in a high battle rating without any strong defensive weaponry makes it a perfect prey for enemy pilots. The playstyle also limits the offensive capabilities of the HKP9A as the missiles are much slower than their Soviet counterparts. This means that moving targets can escape into cover before the missile impacts, resulting in wasted time. On top of this, the helicopter requires visual contact with the enemy while firing, sometimes requiring upwards of 20 seconds spent outside of cover.

Aggressive playstyle

Almost opposite to the defensive one, the HKP9A can counteract the slow guidance speed and weak air-to-air protection by playing inside the map boundaries. This allows the HKP9A to take advantage of allied SPAA units using them as cover, allowing a player to spend more time focusing on ground targets instead. On top of this, the closer distance between the helicopter and target allows for less time where the enemy can retaliate. The slow travel speed of the TOW missiles will instead work in a player's favour as it allows for better accuracy when guiding.

This way of fighting requires a bit of map knowledge and spatial awareness as enemies can spawn in their own SPAA to retaliate almost immediately. On top of this, a closer proximity puts the HKP9A in range of roof-mounted machine guns, which are heavily prominent at this battle-rating. Although you can hide behind cover or stay directly above a target to counter it, this only works in the short term as the longer you stay alive the more people will become aware of your presence, putting more and more emphasis on staying out of sight.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great agility - one of the most manoeuvrable helicopters in the game
  • Large missile payload
  • Small profile
  • Great stock performance - comes with all eight missiles from the start

Cons:

  • Weak powerplant - slow climb and top speed
  • Poor survivability
  • Lacklustre air-to-air protection - only has access to optional 12.7mm machine guns
  • No Night Vision Devices (NVD)
  • No Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
  • Missiles have to be guided manually
  • Small firing window - helicopter must be pointed at target to guide effectively

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the helicopter in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins
Images

See also

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB)*
Utility  BO 105 CB-2 · BO 105 PAH-1 · BO 105 PAH-1A1
Export  HKP9A · HKP9A (FC)
  *This company is a conglomeration of several post-war aviation companies which focused on building helicopters.

Sweden helicopters
Attack 
Havoc  Mi-28A
Apache  AHS
Utility 
Alouette  HKP2
Huey  HKP3C
BO 105  HKP9A · HKP9A (FC)