Top 10 Fastest Helicopters In The World

Each day with newer techniques there is advancements in technology. One of them is a Helicopter which is considered to be the fastest mode of transport. Helicopters are useful in many ways like to move from one place to another, transport material, in natural calamities, and in military operations.

More commonly they are used for military purposes. They can carry heavy materials and deliver them at remote spots and can travel at faster speeds. There are many helicopters in the world that travel at a very fast speed so we have made of list of Top 10 Fastest Helicopters in the World.

10. AH-64D Apache, 284 km/h

Starting off our list is with AH-64D Apache which consists of four-blade, twin-turboshaft with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. The AH-64D Apache can fly at a speed of 284 km/h and is known to be one of the fastest helicopters in the world.

It is also equipped with a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems. It is currently being manufactured by Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The main operator of these helicopters in the United States but other countries are also using it as a primary attack helicopter.

9. Mil Mi-26 (Halo), 295 km/h

Next up in the list of fastest helicopters is Mil Mi-26 (Halo) with a product code izdeliye 90 is a Russian/Soviet heavy transport helicopter. Manufactured by Rostvertol and designed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant its first flight was on December 14, 1977.

Due to the engine load sharing system, the helicopter can continue to fly even in case of power loss by one engine. It is operated by military and civilian operators. Its main purpose is to carry heavy equipment such as 13 metric ton amphibious armored personnel carriers and mobile ballistic missiles to remote locations. With a speed of 295 km/h, it is 9th among the fastest helicopters in the world.

8. Mi-28N Night Hunter, 300 km/h

With a speed of 300 km/h Mi-28N Night, Hunter is one of the fastest helicopters in the world. It was manufactured by Mil and the first flight was on November 10, 1982. Mi-28N is a Russian helicopter that can be used in all-weather, day-night, military tandem, two-seat anti-armor attack helicopter.

It was specially designed to fight against tanks and enemy helicopters and covering helicopter landing operations. It is equipped with armored cabin and windshields that can provide protection from bullets and shell fragments.

7. Ka-52 “Alligator”, 300 km/h

The Ka-52 “Alligator” is a Russian helicopter designed by Kamov Design Bureau. It is equipped with Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engines and can fly at a maximum altitude of 5,500m.

It completed its first flight in June 1997 and can destroy ground targets and aerial targets. Its maximum take-off weight is 10,800kg. It has a speed of 300 km/h similar to that of Mi- 28N Night Hunter and is the 7th fastest helicopter in the world.

6. NH90, 300 km/h

The NH90 is a twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter. It is manufactured by NHIndustries a company that is owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo-Finmeccanica, and Fokker Aerostructures. It made its first flight on December 18, 1995. The helicopter was developed in response to NATO requirements for a battlefield helicopter so that it can be operated in naval environments.

It can fly at a maximum altitude of 6,000m and has a maximum take-off weight of 10,600kg. It is fully integrated with heavy weapons to deal with any situation and has a flight speed of 300 km/h.

5. AgustaWestland AW139, 306 km/h

AgustaWestland AW139 is a 15-seat twin-engine helicopter developed by AgustaWestland. It was primarily developed for VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport, fire fighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief, and maritime patrol.

It is manufactured primarily in Italy and the United States but is also produced in Italy by HeliVert. It first flew on February 3, 2001, and from 2003 the helicopter has become one of the most influential products of AgustaWestland. AgustaWestland AW139 can fly at a speed of 306 km/h making it the 5th fastest helicopter in the world.

4. AW101 (EH101) Merlin, 309 km/h

AW101 (EH101) Merlin is a medium-lift helicopter that can fly at a speed of 309 km/h thus making it one of the fastest helicopters in the world. It is used in military and civil operations and developed by Westland Helicopters in the UK and Agusta in Italy.

It first flew on October 9, 1987, and is currently manufactured by Leonardo-Finmeccanica. The AW101 has replaced many helicopters and was primarily developed to perform roles such as medium-sized transport, anti-submarine warfare, and ship-based utility operations.

3. Mi-35M, 310 km/h

Mi-35M is a multi-role combat helicopter and was manufactured by Rostvertol. It can fly at a speed of 310 km/h making it the 3rd fastest helicopter in the world.

It is powered with two engines and output power of 2,200hp and was primarily designed for attack and military missions. It can fly in any environmental conditions at a maximum altitude of 5,400m.

2. CH-47 Chinook, 315 km/h

CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine and one of the two fastest helicopters in the world. It is manufactured by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems and considered to be one of the heaviest lifting Western helicopters.

It was first flown on September 21, 1961, and its objective was to facilitate troop movement, artillery placement, and battlefield resupply. It can fly at a speed of 315 km/h because of which many other nations also use it. It has two Honeywell engines that can go up to an altitude of 6000m and can carry the load of 10,000 kg.

1. Eurocopter X3, 472 km/h

The fastest helicopter in the world Eurocopter X3 which was manufactured by Eurocopter. During the demonstration, it achieved an amazing speed of 472 km/h in level flight on 7 June 2013, setting an unofficial helicopter speed record.

It is equipped with two Rolls-Royce turbo engines providing 2,270 hp each. Eurocopter X3 is the world’s fastest non-jet augmented compound helicopter.