U.S. Army

Aviation

The largest helicopter fleet in the world — over 4,000 aircraft spanning attack, assault, recon, cargo, MEDEVAC, and special ops. From Grasshoppers spotting artillery in WWII to Hueys defining Vietnam to Apaches opening Desert Storm, Army aviators fly low, slow, and close to the fight because that's where the ground force needs them.

"Above the Best" Est. 1983

EST. APRIL 12, 1983

Rotary Wing · Attack · Assault · Recon · Lift

Branch Established

ROTARY FLEET IN WORLD

The United States Army operates the largest helicopter fleet in the world — over 4,000 rotary-wing aircraft spanning attack, assault, reconnaissance, cargo, MEDEVAC, and special operations. Army Aviation was born from the need for organic air support that didn't depend on the Air Force for every mission. From observation planes in WWII to Hueys in Vietnam to Apaches in Iraq, Army aviators have always flown low, slow, and close to the fight — because that's where the ground force needs them. Read more

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From Balloons to Helicopters 1861 – 1965

L-Birds & Observation Aviation

Grasshoppers · Liaison · Artillery Spotting

Grasshopper · Piper Cub

Bird Dog · Korea

Aerial Observation

AIR FOR THE ARMY

Army Aviation started with liaison pilots flying unarmed Piper Cubs — "Grasshoppers" — over the battlefield to spot for artillery and evacuate casualties. In Korea, the L-19 Bird Dog became the forward observer's aerial platform, and the first helicopters began evacuating wounded. These small, unglamorous aircraft proved that the Army needed its own organic aviation rather than depending on the Air Force. The Key West Agreement of 1948 gave the Army rotary-wing aviation. Everything that followed grew from that decision. Read more

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Vietnam — The Helicopter War

UH-1 Huey · AH-1 Cobra · CH-47 Chinook

Cobra · First Attack Helo

Helicopters in VN

HELICOPTERS LOST

Vietnam was the helicopter war — and the UH-1 Huey was its defining image. Over 12,000 helicopters served in Vietnam. Air assault replaced the foot march. MEDEVAC replaced the stretcher. The AH-1 Cobra became the first purpose-built attack helicopter, flying gun runs on tree lines while Hueys extracted infantry. Over 5,000 helicopters were lost. Army aviators flew into landing zones they knew were hot because the infantry on the ground needed them. The sound of rotor blades is the sound of Vietnam. Read more

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Modern Army Aviation 1983 – Present

The World's Most Lethal Attack Helicopter

Opened the War · 1991

OEF · EVERY FIGHT

Apaches from 1/101st Aviation fired the opening shots of Desert Storm — destroying Iraqi radar sites to open the air corridor for the air campaign. The AH-64 Apache is the most lethal attack helicopter ever built — Hellfire missiles, 30mm chain gun, Longbow fire-control radar, and the ability to fight at night in any weather. In Iraq and Afghanistan, Apaches provided armed overwatch that ground forces depended on for every major operation. The Apache is the weapon the enemy hears before they die. Read more

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UH-60 · EVERY MISSION

UH-60 Black Hawk

The Army's Workhorse

Built Since 1979

MEDEVAC · C2 · SOF

The UH-60 Black Hawk replaced the Huey as the Army's utility helicopter in 1979 and has been the backbone of Army Aviation ever since. Over 4,000 built. Air assault, MEDEVAC, command and control, special operations, VIP transport — the Black Hawk does everything. In Mogadishu, Black Hawks fought the battle that became "Black Hawk Down." In every deployment since, UH-60s have been the first aircraft soldiers see when help arrives. The Black Hawk is the Army's helicopter. Read more

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CH-47F · 60+ YEARS

Heavy Lift Since 1962

In Service Since

HIGH ALTITUDE OPS

The CH-47 Chinook has been hauling the Army's heavy loads since 1962 — the longest-serving helicopter in U.S. military history. Chinooks carried artillery pieces to mountaintops in Vietnam, resupplied FOBs in Afghanistan that no road could reach, and sling-loaded everything from Humvees to downed aircraft. In Afghanistan's high-altitude thin air, the Chinook was often the only helicopter with enough power to operate. Over sixty years of continuous service with no replacement in sight. Read more

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NEXT GENERATION

Future Vertical Lift

FLRAA · FARA → Next Generation

V-280 Valor Selected

Speed of Black Hawk

FIELDING BEGINS

The Future Long Range Assault Aircraft — the V-280 Valor tiltrotor — will replace the Black Hawk with an aircraft that flies twice as fast and twice as far. Future Vertical Lift is the most significant aviation modernization since Vietnam. The Valor combines helicopter agility with tiltrotor speed, giving commanders the ability to move troops across distances that current helicopters can't cover. Army Aviation is preparing for its biggest transformation since the Huey. Read more

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4,000+

Aircraft

#1

Rotary Fleet Worldwide

41

Years as Branch

Above

The Best