Top Ten Warships

1. Iowa Class - Fast Battleship; United States

Like a cat, the the Iowa class fast battleship seems to have many, many lives. Mothballed at the end of World War II, the Iowas were soon recalled for action in the Korean War .

Again mothballed, they were once more called for the Vietnam War . Almost 50 years after the first Iowa was launched, they were made ready for the cold war.

In 1991, the Iowas answered the call again - when they went into action during operation Desert Storm.

2. Nimitz Class - Aircraft Carrier; United States

With the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991, the threat of the cold war vanished and the Nimitz class carrier's role changed to one of peacekeeper throughout the world.

And its this ability to go anywhere in the world at a moments notice, and at a speed of 30 knots, that makes the Nimitz class invaluable to the US Navy. But what makes the Nimitz class unique is its two nuclear reactors that enables them to roam the world indefinitely. 

3. Queen Elizabeth Class - Battleship; Great Britain

Launched in 1913, The Queen Elizabeth battleship was the first of a new design of fast battleships that were powered by oil rather than coal.

By early 1916, she was joined by her four sister ships - Barham, Malaya, Valiant and Warspite. Armed with eight 16-inch main guns, and sixteen 6-inch secondary, the Queen Elizabeth class were the most powerful British class warships in World War 1 .


4. Ticonderoga Class - Missile Cruiser; United States

Initially developed as a Cold War warrior in the 1970's as an answer to the Soviet arms race, the Ticonderoga class' first role was seen as a guided missile destroyer. But it was felt by the Navy brass that something bigger was needed, so Ticonderogas were upgraded to fast cruisers in 1980.

Known as the instigators of the completely 'computer controlled' ships, the Ticonderogas are at the center of today's digital battlefield and have seen service off the coast of Lebanon, Kuwait and Korea, acting in either a peace keeping or offensive roles.

5. Fletcher Class - Destroyer; United States

When one Fletcher class destroyer, the USS Johnston, was commissioned, her Captain made a speech to his crew that typified the destroyer man's creed.

"This is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harms way, and anyone who doesn't want to go along had better get off right now."

By early 1943, the first five Fletcher class destroyers had arrived in the Pacific, their task was to target and smash the Japanese supply convoys.

Already the role of the Destroyer was changing. Once looked on as a defense for the capital ships, the new Fletchers were now being thrown into the furnace of battle.


6. North Carolina Class

On June 1, 1940, the first of the new North Carolina class battleships, the USS Washington, was launched. She and her sister ship, the USS North Carolina, were the first of the new generation American battleships that called for better torpedo and deck armor, longer endurance and gas protection.

Over the next three years there was hardly an action that the North Carolina class were not involved in.

7. Bismarck Class - Battleship

Launched in February 1939, and known as Hitler's favorite ship, the German naval brass were itching to get the Bismarck into the fight. On May 19, 1941, they got their wish. The Bismarck went on her first war patrol in the north Atlantic.

Six days later, on May 25th, Bismarck sighted the British Navy's Battleship HMS Hood. Five salvos from the Bismarck's superior guns sent the Hood to the bottom of the ocean.

The Royal Navy wanted revenge for the Hood, and the order went out, 'Sink the Bismarck!'

For over three days the British fleet hunted and chased the Bismarck. Finally, on the morning of May 27th, with its steering smashed from torpedo bombers, the pride of the German Navy was cornered.

For over three hours the Bismarck slugged it out with the British fleet and at 10:39 a.m. she was sunk with over 2000 men lost.

8. Essex Class - Aircraft Carrier

On March 17 1945, during an air strike against the Japanese Island of Honshu, one Essex class aircraft carrier - the USS Franklin came under attack.

As wave after wave of suicide pilots came in, the Franklin fought for its life. For over 12 hours the ship was a blazing furnace. 724 members of her crew were killed. But the Franklin was so well designed and built that she didn't sink.

In total, 24 Essex class were built - more than any other class of large carrier - and when peace came, the Essex carriers remained in service for another 30 years. No other class of aircraft carrier has served so long or so effectively

9. Deutschland Class - Pocket Battleship

The British dubbed Germany's Deutschland class the 'pocket battleship' because it was so small, fast and deadly.

The secret of the pocket battleships' speed and power was the innovative design of making the ship lighter.

By using diesel engines, instead of steam turbines, and an electrically welded hull, the Deutschland class was able to cruise over 12,500 miles, equal to half way around the world. It sent shivers of fear throughout the allied navies.

10. Hood Class - Battle Cruiser; Great Britain

Known as the 'Mighty Hood', it was considered the greatest warship ever built, and throughout the 1920's and 30's went on world tours boasting its power and size.

But that boast would soon be shattered when World War II began. Hitler's navy had some of the most modern and sophisticated battleships. The Hood met her match in May of 1941 when she came up against the German Battleship Bismarck, and Heavy Battlecruiser Prinz Eugen.

It only took five salvos from Bismarck to pierce the Hood's deck armor. Within eight minutes the Hood sank and out of crew of 1418, only three men survived.

Top Ten Infantry Fighting Vehicles

1. M-113

After World War II had shown the need for an armored personnel carrier for infantry, it became obvious that a fully tracked vehicle would offer the best combination of speed and all-terrain mobility. The M-113 went into production in the early 1960s.

With the ability to carry 10 troops plus crew, an all-terrain speed of 40 mph and a range of 300 miles, it was an immediate winner. Since then over 80,000 have been built, and the M-113 has been exported to nearly 50 countries. Amphibious and air portable, the M-113 has been used in combat in Vietnam, the Middle East and Iraq.

Besides fulfilling its basic personnel carrier role, the vehicle has served as a mortar carrier, command, anti-aircraft and flamethrower vehicle. The M-113 is still going strong and will probably be one of the most widely used armored vehicles ever built.

2. M-2 Bradley

The shortcomings of armored personnel carriers as battlefield vehicles - thin armor and limited firepower — led to the concept of the infantry-fighting vehicle in the late 1960s. Rather than simply carry an infantry squad to the battlefield, where they would dismount to fight, the IFV would enable infantrymen to fire their weapons from within the vehicle and engage targets while still protected behind armor.

Derived from Soviet and German designs, the Bradley IFV went into production in 1981. With laminate spaced armor on top of an aluminum hull, the M-2 provides greater protection for its passengers than the M-113. The Bradley also has greater firepower available in the form of a 25-mm chain gun that can fire depleted uranium rounds. This powerful weapon knocked out more Iraqi armor during Operation Desert Storm than the 120-mm guns of the Abrams tank and is on the U.S. Army's books for the foreseeable future.

3. MCV-80 Warrior

The British MCV-80 Warrior, like the U.S. Bradley, reflected a change in the philosophy of armored personnel carrier design that had come about when the Soviet BMP-1 was introduced. APCs were now infantry fighting vehicles, capable of giving fire support and engaging enemy vehicles.

During the recent Iraqi conflict, a Warrior demonstrated its ability to take punishment when, caught in a fierce firefight, its driver managed to get the vehicle out of harm's way and save the lives of his badly wounded troops. For this action the driver was awarded Britain's highest military honor, the Victoria Cross.

Self-contained, the Warrior carries sufficient stores and equipment to fight on the battlefield for a sustained period of 48 hours, plus a range of 410 miles, a speed of 47 mph and a 7.62 chain gun. The Warrior earns huge praise from all that have fought with, and against, it. This tough APC is now the standard vehicle of the British armed forces. 

4. Stryker

The Stryker is the first new armored vehicle to be introduced into U.S. Army service since 1980. This versatile warrior can be used as either an infantry carrier or mobile gun system armed with a 105-mm cannon.

With a top speed of 62 mph and the ability to carry nine troops plus crew, this all-terrain vehicle provides both a highly mobile troop transport and a powerful gun in the fluid combat environment of the war against terror.

With the ability to be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules, the Stryker can reach a combat zone much faster than the weighty Abrams tank, which has been criticized for being too heavy and unable to cope with off-road situations. The Stryker has seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 2,400 have been contracted to be built.

5. Sd.Kfz. 251

When Nazi Germany began developing its new theory of blitzkrieg in the 1930s, it became obvious that its infantry and artillery would need a new type of cross-country vehicle if they were to keep up with the tanks of the Panzer divisions. The result was one of the most important fighting vehicles of its time — the halftrack.

First issued in 1938, the Sd.Kfz. 251 halftracks proved their worth during the fighting in Poland and showed that they were the ideal partners for the fast-moving German armor. Used initially as either armored personnel carriers or towing vehicles for artillery, the halftracks soon took on many other roles - such as anti-tank, anti-aircraft vehicle, ambulance, command vehicle and even a rocket launcher variant known as the "infantry Stuka" or "howling cow."

The halftracks' outstanding cross-country ability was due to the unique sophisticated track system, though the lack of power to the front wheels made them harder to maneuver than their American equivalent. Employed in every major battle fought by the German army in World War II, the Sd.Kfz. 251 was constantly in demand. It was kept in service for another 10 years after the war by the Czech army.

6. BMP-1

Once the armored personnel carrier had shown its worth in World War II, wheeled and tracked vehicles entered service with all the world's armies. The Soviet Red Army was the first to move the idea of a personnel carrier forward so that infantrymen would be able to fight from it, rather than have to dismount and lose the protection of the vehicle's armor.

The first sight the West had of the brand-new vehicle was at a parade in Red Square in 1967. The Bronevaya Maschina Piekhota (BMP-1) had firing ports and vision blocks to enable its passengers to fire from within the vehicle. It also featured an automatic loading 73-mm turret-mounted gun firing fin-stabilized HEAT missiles. The BMP was amphibious, propelled though the water by its tracks.

Though the BMP revolutionized armored warfare, it was not without drawbacks. The armor was thin and the low silhouette made it cramped for crew and passengers, but it was still used by many of the worlds' armies. Its successor, the BMP-2, has been made in large numbers and seen combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

7. Universal Bren Gun Carrier

The British Universal Carrier, or Bren Carrier as it was popularly known, was the most widely used of all armored fighting vehicles during World War II. Able to carry between four and 14 troops, the Bren Carrier came in several versions, including machine gun, flamethrower, mortar platform, troop carrier, medi-vac and gun tractor. It was also capable of being glider borne and airlifted with a 6-pound anti-tank gun.

From the battlefields of Europe to the jungles of the Far East, this vehicle was involved in every theater of action during World War II. Many of these carriers were captured by the Germans, who modified them to carry a 37-mm anti-tank gun and called them Panzerjaeger Bren. In fact, the Bren was the only carrier used by soldiers from every nation involved in the conflict of 1939-45. With a service record second to none, and with more than 200,000 built, this World War II vehicle richly deserves its accolades.


8. M-3 Halftrack

Inspired by a 1931 French design, the U.S. Army started work on a halftrack in 1938 and the basic M-3 design went into production in 1941. Used throughout the Army, the M-3 was an essential part of the armored divisions — each motorized infantry battalion had approximately 62.

By the end of World War II, more than 40,000 M-3 halftracks had been produced in a wide variety of configurations, including personnel carrier, artillery tractor and communications vehicle. Because of the drive to its front axle, the M-3 was easier to maneuver than its counterpart, the German Sd.Kfz. 251. However, it lacked all-terrain usage and the ability to carry troops.

The M-3 served around the world during World War II, as well as for many years afterward. Although production stopped in 1945, the M-3 was still going into combat with the Israeli Defense Force in the 1980s.
9. LVT MK-4 (Landing Vehicle Tracked)

Known as amphibious tractors, or amtracks for short, the LVTs were the backbone of all the Marine landings during the long and bloody campaign of the Pacific War.Introduced in 1944, the innovative LVT MK-4 had a rear door so that either a jeep or gun could be unloaded. This new door also saved the lives of countless Marines, as they did not have to clamber over the side as in previous LVTs.

With its powerful 75-mm howitzer, the LVT MK-4 could deliver a hail of fire to protect its 30 disembarking troops. Also, it did not have to stop at the water's edge. Propelled by tracks instead of a propeller, this LVT was just as at home on water, sand or jungle mud as it was on hard roads or grass. It was also used by the British forces in river crossings, particularly the Rhine, during the war in Europe.

So respected was the LVT, that Navy leader Vice Adm. Edward L. Cochrane wrote: "There is not the slightest shadow of doubt that the overwhelming victories of our forces at Tarawa, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima would not have been possible without the Amtracks."

10. Humvee

When the call went out to develop a vehicle to replace the much-loved and ubiquitous jeep, the winning design had to be exceptional. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee, first appeared in 1980 and a contract was awarded to makers AM General for nearly 60,000 vehicles. This figure has now risen to over 160,000, with Humvees sold to more than 36 countries.

Its low center of gravity and strong frame make the Humvee a very dependable transport in over 12 different configurations. From armored carrier to special operations, from missile platform to recoilless rifle vehicle, this amazing fighting vehicle is fast making a reputation for itself.

The Humvee's ability to carry eight troops plus crew, top speed of over 65 mph and .50-caliber machine gun further strengthen that reputation. Its all-terrain capability is global, with the U.S. Army using the Humvee for operations in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Though the Humvee has been criticized by some for its vulnerability, the sheer usefulness of this vehicle has led to its service in situations that normally call for much more heavily armed and armored vehicles.g.

Top Ten Bombers

No. 1: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

With a maximum speed of 650 mph, a range of over 8,000 miles and the capability to drop 70,000 pounds of bombs, the B-52 is the most lethal bomber in the world. It can also deliver nuclear weapons, cruise missiles and precision bombs.

In addition to its deterrent role during the Cold War, it was also used to bomb North Vietnam. In both Afghanistan and Iraq it hit enemy targets with a heavy punch. Despite being built with 1950s technology, the B-52 is likely to remain in active service until 2045.

No. 2: Nothrup Grumman B-2 Stealth Bomber

The flying-wing concept was brought into the world of advanced stealth technology by Northrop with the B-2 Bomber.

Coated with special composite laminate and secret paint, the B-2 is almost invisible to radar and more B-2s have been identified as UFOs than any other aircraft. Based in the U.S., B-2s on refueling missions can hit any part of the world. At $2.2 billion per aircraft, the cost is awesome, but so is this aircraft.

No. 3: Boeing B-29 Super Fortress

The B-29 had a range of over 3,500 miles, an operational ceiling of 31,850 feet and a top speed of 358 mph. It could carry a huge payload of 20,000 pounds of bombs and was armed with 12 .50-caliber machine guns and a 20-mm cannon.

The aircraft's design was very advanced. It featured aerodynamic fuselage, and the crew compartment was pressurized and fitted with bullet-proof glass. Used extensively in conventional bombing missions against the Japanese, the B-29 is best remembered for dropping atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and thus ending World War II. 

No. 4: De Havilland Mosquito

Nicknamed the "Wooden Wonder," the Mosquito was perhaps the most versatile aircraft to see action during World War II. As a bomber, it was also the fastest.

Constructed of wood, the plane was almost undetectable to radar. In addition, because of its speed, it carried no defensive armament as it could outrun any enemy fighter. With a payload of 2,000 pounds (later upgraded to 4,000 pounds) and the ability to fly from 10 feet to 31,000 feet, it could take the fight right to the enemy's door.

By the end of World War II, more than 40 variants of this remarkable aircraft had been in action.

No. 5 Avro Lancaster

The Lancaster was Britain's most famous heavy bomber of World War II. Capable of carrying a bomb load of up to 22,000 pounds, Lancasters, which flew at night, pounded German cities and factories.

As Bomber Command's favorite aircraft, the Lancaster was used on many specialized operations, such as the 1943 dam-busting strike and battleship Tirpitz sinking raids. But the success of the Lancaster came at a high price, with over 55,000 crewmen lost in the course of the war. 

No. 6: Boeing B-47 Stratojet

When the B-47 Stratojet first took to the skies in 1947, few people in the Air Force, or even Boeing, were enthusiastic about the design.

The B-47 used swept-wing technology captured from Nazi Germany and an unusual tricycle undercarriage, which led many to think it would serve as no more than a research plane.

But by mid-1948 it became clear to the Air Force and Boeing executives that the airplane far surpassed all of its contemporaries with straight wings. Test pilot Chuck Yeager was sent to follow a B-47 in a jet fighter to check its speed.

He radioed to the B-47's civilian pilot, "I can't keep up." The next day, the B-47 set a new cross-country speed record at an average of 609.8 mph. Within only a few years, the plane became the primary bomber for the Strategic Air Command and eventually more than 2,000 B-47s were built.

Though without the range and payload of its successor, the B-52, the B-47 "held the line" as a nuclear deterrent bomber in the early years of the Cold War.

No. 7: Tupelov Tu-95

This huge Soviet long-range bomber, nicknamed the Bear, was designed to carry up to four nuclear bombs to the U.S. mainland from bases in Russia.

Launched at the Moscow air show in 1955, its existence led American planners to believe there was a bomber gap between the Soviet Union and the U.S. In reality, the Bear stretched Soviet technology to the limit, but it could still pack a big punch and for three decades was a major threat to Western forces.

No. 8: Junkers Ju-88

Believed by many to be the most important German bomber of World War II, the Ju-88 was in front-line service throughout the 1939-45 conflict. Its versatile design enabled it to be used as a bomber, dive bomber, torpedo bomber, heavy fighter and night fighter.

Although heavier than the Heinkel 111 and the Dornier 17, it was the fastest of the Nazi bomber fleet. Armed with seven .303 machine guns and a payload of nearly 8,000 pounds, this aircraft was a formidable opponent during its service life.

No. 9. Handley Page 0/100

Aircraft technology was only 10 years old at the start of World War 1, but within a few years it had developed at an extraordinary pace. Great Britain's first heavy bomber, the Handley Page 0/100, entered service in 1916 as a means of attacking the German Zeppelin bases that were causing huge damage to London.

Powered by two Rolls Royce engines with a speed of 79 mph, these 100-foot wingspan aircraft were able to deliver their 2,000 pounds of bombs with remarkable accuracy. After the war, the Handley was converted and formed the staple flying machine for the first civilian airlines in Europe. 

No. 10. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

In 1937 the Boeing Aircraft Company built America's first all-metal, four-engine heavy bomber, the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress. Bristling with 13 0.5 machine guns, and with an average bomb load of 6,000 pounds, the "Forts" took on the worst the Luftwaffe had to offer.

Flying in formations of up to 1,000 bomber daylight raids, the B-17s attacked some of the most heavily defended targets in occupied Europe. Suffering unprecedented losses, the young American airmen in their B-17s helped turn the tide of the war in Europe by destroying the Nazi war machine.

Top Ten Fighters

No. 1: P-51D Mustang
Manufacturer: North American Aviation
Power Plant: 1600 hp Packard-built Merlin 61 piston engine
Top Speed: 437 mph
Armament: Six wing-mounted .50-caliber machine guns


Fitted with external drop-tanks the Mustang's range was extended to almost 2,000 miles, making it the only Allied fighter capable of protecting the Allied bombers on long-range, deep-penetration raids.
The Mustang performed its job so well that after its introduction in 1944, casualty rates for bomber crews were reduced by 75 percent. In fact, American P51s destroyed almost 5,000 enemy aircraft in Europe - making it the highest scoring U. S. fighter in the European theater of operations.

No. 2: F-15C Eagle
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglass
Power Plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F-100-PW-100 after-burning turbofans
Top Speed: Mach 2.5
Armament: One 20-mm cannon, four AIM-7F Sparrow and four AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles

No other fighter in the history of aerial combat has a record that even comes close to the Eagle's. The F-15 is far superior to most of its brethren - way better than the F-4 - accelerating better, turning better, handling better.
In fact, such is the reputation of the F-15 that during the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Saddam Hussein's air force simply refused to get in the air. They knew the F-15 would just knock them out of the sky.

No. 3: F-4 Phantom
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglass
Power Plant: Two J79 Spey turbojet afterburning engines
Top Speed: 1,485 mph
Armament: Four AIM 7 Sparrow and four AIM 9 Sidewinder missiles.

Produced in large numbers the F-4 Phantom has an unrivaled service history. But the aircraft really earns its third place ranking for being fast, durable and deadly.
Phantoms were the test bed for missile technology - and the aircraft held five speed records for an impressive 13 years before being beaten by the aircraft featured in the No. 2 spot on our list of the top 10 fighters of all time.

No. 4 - A Tie!
MiG 15
Manufacturer: Mikoyan Gurevich Design Bureau
Power Plant: Klimov VK-1 turbojet
Top Speed: 668 mph
Armament: One 37mm N-37 cannon and two 23mm NR-23 cannon

AND

F-86 Sabre
Manufacturer: North American
Power Plant: General Electric J47 engine
Top Speed: 685 mph
Armament: Six .50-caliber machine guns and eight 5-inch rockets

Compared to today's fighters both these jets are underpowered and primitive but few aircraft have done so well at the job they were designed to do. Both the F-86 Sabre and MiG 15 were the right aircraft at the right time and each richly deserve a prominent place in aviation history.
Both designs relied heavily on captured German swept-wing technology and British engine design, so for innovation the MiG and Sabre are equally matched. Both fighters were produced in large numbers, but the MiG edges in front of the Sabre in the production category because of its renowned simplicity. Both jets have similar service records. The result? They are inseparable in the rankings: the MiG 15 and F-86 Sabre tie for fourth place.

No. 6: Supermarine Spitfire
Manufacturer: Supermarine Aviation Works
Power Plant: Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 piston engine
Top Speed: 369 mph
Armament: Eight Browning .303 machine guns; later version, four 20mm cannon

Used in all British theaters of conflict throughout the Second World War the Spitfire remains the unrivaled symbol of victory and Britain's finest hour. But the Spitfire is also famous for giving Field Marshall Erwin Rommel the scare of his life.
On July 17, 1944, in the north of France, a Canadian pilot named Charlie Fox shot at the car carrying the German military mastermind and knocked it off the road, putting Germany's "Desert Fox" out of commission.

 No. 7: Me 262 Schwalbe
Manufacturer: Messerschmitt
Power Plant: Two Junkers Juno 004s
Top Speed: 540 mph
Armament: Four 30mm MK-108 cannons

For innovation the "Swallow" scores maximum points. As the first of its kind, the Me 262 inspired equal measures of fear and admiration, so it also scores at the top of the scales in the fear factor category.
However, because the aircraft was difficult to build and it had notoriously unreliable engines, the aircraft's production rating is low - so too is its service record, having only been active for a little over two years. Nevertheless, the Me 262 will forever be in the record books as being the world's first fully operational jet fighter - a legend of the skies and the seventh greatest fighter of all time.

No. 8: Sopwith Camel
Manufacturer: Sopwith Aviation Company
Power Plant: Clerget rotary engine
Top Speed: 112 mph
Armament: Two Vickers .303 machine guns

Credited with destroying at least 1,200 enemy aircraft, the Sopwith Camel rightly deserves to be called one of the best fighters of all time. Its solid, if unspectacular, scoring across the board ensures its standing in eighth place on the list of the greatest fighters of all time.

No. 9: Sea Harrier FA2
Manufacturer: British Aerospace
Power Plant: Rolls Royce Pegasus mk 104 or 106 turbofan
Top Speed: 736 mph
Armament: Two 30-mm Aden cannon, plus two AMRAAM and four Sidewinder missiles, two Harpoon or Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles

With its unrivaled ability to maneuver, hover and pop up from unexpected places, the Sea Harrier earns a solid fear factor rating. Its unique design and simple-to-produce airframe score well. Despite achieving a high kill ratio in the Falklands, the "jump jet's" slow speed makes it vulnerable to ground fire, which reduces its overall score. Though the aircraft is being phased out of frontline operations it still earns a respectable ninth place in our top 10 league. 

No. 10: F/A-22 Raptor
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney F-119 PW-100
Top Speed: Mach 2.5
Armament: One 20mm cannon, six AMRAAM and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles

Because it is almost invisible to radar and carries an awesome array of weaponry the F-22 Raptor, America's fourth-generation fighter, gets superb innovation and fear factor ratings. However, the aircraft's prowess is compromised by its astronomical production costs and the fact it has some way to go to match the combat records of the F-15 and F-16. Therefore, in the kill ratio, production and service length categories, the Raptor scores zip, placing it firmly in 10th place on our list.

Top Ten Helicopters

No. 1: Ah-64d Apache Longbow
Manufacturer: The Boeing
Type: Attack Helicopter
Powerplant: Two General Electric T700-Ge-701c Turboshafts
Principal Armament: One 30-mm Automatic Cannon, 16 Hellfire Anti-Tank Missiles, Seventy-Six 70-mm Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets
Maximum Cruising Speed: 165 mph


First entering service in 1984, the AH64-A Apache was America's answer to Cold War fears of a Soviet ground attack in Europe. The result? A $20 million can opener with state-of-the-art technology.

Built to endure front-line environments, it can operate during the day or night and in adverse weather using the integrated helmet and display sight system. It's also equipped with some of the latest avionics and electronics, such as the target acquisition designation sight, pilot night vision system, black hole passive infrared countermeasures and map-of-Earth navigation and GPS.

No. 2: Uh-60 Black Hawk
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Type: Multirole Medium Helicopter
Powerplant: Two General Electric T700-GE-701c Turboshafts
Principal Armament: Two 7.62-mm Six-Barrel Miniguns, 16 Hellfire Anti-Tank Missiles
Carrying Capacity: 11 Troops or 8,000-pound Cargo
Maximum Cruising Speed: 160 mph


Nicknamed the Night Stalker, the Blackhawk is an evolutionary airframe. With its large cabin it can fulfill a number of mission sets, including Medevac, reconnaissance, command and control, and resupply. It can also take 11 fully armed troops into battle and has the capability to carry a formidable payload of missiles, rockets, cannons and electronic countermeasures.

Of course no helicopter that goes into combat is indestructible - on Oct. 3,1993, two Night Stalkers were shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia, and the phrase "Black Hawk Down" passed into legend. As tragic as that incident was, the Blackhawk is a gritty survivor. Besides having protective armor that can withstand hits from 23-mm shells, it has an array of cutting-edge safety features

No. 3: Uh-1 Huey
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Type: Utility Helicopter
Powerplant: One Textron Lycoming T53-L-13 Turboshaft
Principal Armament: Two 7.62-mm Machine Guns, 16 70-mm Air-to-Surface Rockets
Carrying Capacity: 11 - 14 Troops, 6 Medical Litters or 3,000-pound Cargo
Maximum Cruising Speed: 115 mph


The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known by its nickname the Huey, first flew in 1956 and is still in service today. Over 16,000 models have been built, the largest production run of any helicopter in history. With numerous appearances in blockbuster films and television shows, it's become an American icon.

The birth of the Huey came in the wake of the Korean War. During that conflict, the U.S. Army was learning that for rapid Medevac and troop insertion, a faster, more robust helicopter was needed. To achieve that goal, the guys at Bell developed a radically new bird that pushed the avionics envelope.

No. 4: AH-1 Cobra
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopters
Type: Attack Helicopter
Powerplant: 2 X General Electric T700-Ge-401 Turboshafts
Principal Armament: 1 X M197 Three Barrel 20-mm Gun, 16 X Hellfire Anti-Tank Missiles, 76 X 70-mm Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets
Maximum Cruising Speed: 173 mph


In January 1965, Bell invested heavily on a prototype for a radically new chopper. Taking the proven transmission, rotor system and the turboshaft of the Huey UH-1, they designed a tandem-seat helicopter that had only one thing on its mind: all out attack! The Cobra went into full production just as the war in Vietnam was expanding. The need for closer air support for troops on the ground had become a priority, and the AH-1 would fly straight into battle.

No. 5: Oh-6 Cayuse
Manufacturer: Hughes Helicopters and McDonnell Douglas
Type: Light Observation and Attack Helicopter
Powerplant: Allison T63-A-5a Turboshaft
Principal Armament: Two 7.62-mm Machine Guns and two 70-mm Rocket Pods
Carrying Capacity: Four Armed Troops
Maximum Cruising Speed: 137 mph


The teardrop-shaped OH-6 Cayuse was a small, sturdy helicopter with very low drag. Nicknamed the "Flying Egg," it could perform maneuvers that would leave other choppers in a spin. But being nimble means that this bird can't carry much weight, losing it marks for versatility. The Cayuse can carry a diversity of weapons, but on that small frame only a few can be taken on any single flight.

No. 6: MI-24 Hind
Manufacturer: MIL Moscow Helicopter Plant
Type: Two-Seat Gunship Helicopter
Powerplant: Two Klimov TV3-117MT Turboshafts
Principal Armament: One YakB 12.7-mm Machine Gun, four 9M17P Skorpion Anti-Tank Missiles, twenty 80-mm S-8 Rockets
Carrying Capacity: 8 Troops
Maximum Cruising Speed: 185 mph


Nicknamed the crocodile, the HIND was a cold-blooded predator for the Cold War age. Capable of tearing through tanks, men and machinery, it saw battle on three continents and was a symbol of Soviet muscle.

Delivered to the Russian army in the 1970s, the Hind was a unique concept in helicopter design. It combined two very different roles within a single airframe, as the Hind is an attack helicopter that also has a cabin section large enough to carry troops. Think of it as what would happen if the U.S. combined an Apache with a Black Hawk.

 No. 7: CH-47 Chinook
Manufacturer: The Boeing Company
Type: Medium Transport Helicopter
Powerplant: TwoHoneywell T55-L-712 Turboshafts
Principal Armement: Two 7.62-mm Machine Guns
Carrying Capacity: 33 - 55 Troops, 24 Medical Litters or 26,000-pound Cargo
Maximum Cruising Speed: 165 mph

The genius of the Chinook design lies in its 60-foot-long contra-rotating rotors. These eliminate the need for a rear vertical rotor, allowing all power to be used for lift and thrust. But the Chinook isn't just about muscle - this bird is fast and agile too.

First deployed to Vietnam in 1965, the Chinook CH47-A was tested to the max.

In just two years it put in 161,000 hours of flying time, carried millions of passengers and transported more than 1.3 million tons of equipment. In a single flight it could carry a platoon of soldiers into the heart of battle, and with its dual hooks hanging underneath, it fast became the king of swing

No. 8: Lynx
Manufacturer: Agusta Westland
Type: Light Utility Helicopter
Powerplant: Two Rolls-Royce GEM 41-1 Turboshafts
Principal Armament: Two 20-mm Cannons, two 70-mm Rocket Launchers & eightTow Missiles
Carrying Capacity: 10 Troops, or 2,000-pound Cargo
Maximum Cruising Speed: 152 mph


The Lynx's cutting-edge semi-rigid titanium rotor head makes it superbly maneuverable and very fast. In 1986, a stripped-down Lynx broke the record for the fastest speed ever achieved by a chopper, recording 249 mph.


No. 9: Bell 47 OH-13 Sioux
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
Type: General Utility Helicopter
Powerplant: One Lycoming V0-435-A1B 6-Cylinder Engine
Principal Armament: Two 7.62-mm Machine Guns
Carrying Capacity: 2 Medical Litters or 1,000-pound Cargo
Maximum Cruising Speed: 83 mph


The first of many U.S. Army helicopters to be named after Native American tribes, the Bell 47 Sioux was distinctive for its bubble canopy, exposed welded-tube tail boom and saddle fuel tanks. Its two-bladed rotor made a "chop-chop" sound, leading to the nickname "chopper" for helicopters. Easily recognizable for its appearances in the smash hit film and television series MASH, the Sioux earned its reputation during the Korean war -- the conflict in which helicopters first cut their teeth.