Helicopters
Airborne radars are found on aircraft at both low and high ranks, if an aircraft is equipped with radar then a radar display will be present in the right portion of a player's screen, as well as a compass displaying the player's current heading and the directions to detected targets at the top of the screen.
The Ballistic Computer is a system found on some modern aircraft and helicopters used to aid the player in the delivery of unguided air-to-ground munitions. There are two key functions of the ballistic computer: Constantly Computed Impact Point (CCIP) and Constantly Computed Release Point (CCRP). CCIP continually calculates where munitions will land and gives the pilot an accurate impact point to aim with. CCRP allows the player to specify an impact point, the ballistic computer will then continually calculate at which point along the player’s flight path munitions will need to be released in order to hit the player’s designated impact point, and will only allow munitions to be released when that point is reached.
The AH-60 Battlehawk is an Israeli development of the famed Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter, adapted for combat operations. With an exceptional air-to-ground armament in the form of 16 fire-and-forget SPIKE-ER missiles, the Battlehawk excels in ground engagements where it can devastate targets and overwhelm SPAAs with its SPIKEs while having the ability to dip behind cover to avoid any return fire.
The Mi-24P (NATO reporting name: Hind-F) is the dedicated anti-tank variant of the venerable Mil Mi-24V Hind attack helicopter. With its extensive suite of ground and air armaments, ranging from 500 kg bombs to the Shturm ATGM, the Mi-24P can dish out a great deal of damage while being able to tank most return fire due to its rugged construction and various survivability systems. In addition, the turreted 12.7 mm machine gun found on the preceding Mi-24V is replaced with a longer version of the Su-25's twin-barrelled 30 mm autocannon, which can easily tear apart aircraft and most ground units.
With the release of the “It’s fixed No. 51” update, the game features an editor for suspended weaponry, a mechanic allowing players freedom of choice of weaponry to bring into battle. This feature is primarily found on higher rank aviation and helicopters, although some lower rank examples exist as well, with more being added in every major update.
The story of the A129 Mangusta began during the late stages of the Cold War. The helicopter was developed at the request of the Italian Army, which saw the need to equip its air units with a dedicated attack helicopter equipped with anti-tank capabilities. The A129 was the first dedicated attack helicopter fully designed and built in Western Europe. Its project began in 1978, and its final design was ready only in 1982.
