Q&A · 1:15:57-1:16:32

Air-to-air missiles on helicopters

Helicopter missile carriage still requires suitable sensors and guidance support.

AH-64 Apache AIM-9 Sidewinder AIM-120 AMRAAM Air-to-Air Missiles Helicopters

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Question

How viable is fitting anti-aircraft missiles to rotorcraft?

Short answer

It has been done, but the helicopter also needs suitable targeting and guidance support.

Notes

Helicopters have carried air-to-air missiles, and further arrangements have been considered. One example is a proposal to fit an AIM-120 to an Apache. Launching the weapon leaves the radar and targeting problem to be solved. Infrared-guided Sidewinders offer a different guidance option.