Are Attack Helicopters dead?

[Blackfingers]

With the last few years of war within Ukraine and the rise of Drone and UAV warfare it appears the attack helicopters day as a front line asset has waned.Now they just appear to be mobile missile batteries,UAV hunters and the odd tank hunter.
Last year the USA terminated its future projects to replace the Ah-64 platform and only putting its money into transport or support roles.
I can see it in used in 3rd world countries where total air superiority is achieved but anything with Stinger capabilities or decent anti air Helos will suffer.

[BeyondKnowledge]

Helicopters, tanks, close support ships, they are all just targets for drones now. The front line is more like WW1 than WW2 now. Hiding in trenches and trying to shoot down anything approaching that is not friendly outbound.

A thousand dollar drone is much easier to loose when it takes out a million dollar tank.

And yes, transports to deliver more drones to the front  and behind the lines launch areas are still useful.

It is likely that soon land drones or dropped forward observer drones will replace soldiers in the trenches. Satellites don't have the coverage for targeting moving enemies yet.

And then there is the Skynet possibility with AI. War against the clankers anyone?

[andy06shake]

With the last few years of war within Ukraine and the rise of Drone and UAV warfare it appears the attack helicopters day as a front line asset has waned.Now they just appear to be mobile missile batteries,UAV hunters and the odd tank hunter.
Last year the USA terminated its future projects to replace the Ah-64 platform and only putting its money into transport or support roles.
I can see it in used in 3rd world countries where total air superiority is achieved but anything with Stinger capabilities or decent anti air Helos will suffer.

The Russian variants don't seem to fare too well against the likes of mere MANPADS when they choose to enter contested Ukrainian airspace.

They still have their place, but not in most unsecured theatres of war where air superiority is yet to be attained.

[Zaphod58]

With the last few years of war within Ukraine and the rise of Drone and UAV warfare it appears the attack helicopters day as a front line asset has waned.Now they just appear to be mobile missile batteries,UAV hunters and the odd tank hunter.
Last year the USA terminated its future projects to replace the Ah-64 platform and only putting its money into transport or support roles.
I can see it in used in 3rd world countries where total air superiority is achieved but anything with Stinger capabilities or decent anti air Helos will suffer.

The Army is looking at fighting in the Pacific where the Apache is going to be borderline useless until they hit mainland China. If they don't, then they don't have the range to island hop, or to go from a ship very well. That's why they're going for longer range, and more efficient engines for existing airframes. The AH-64 has a combat range of 260 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 143 knots, while the MV-75 will be between 500-800 nautical miles with a cruise speed of 280 knots.

[Maxmars]

...

The AH-64 has a combat range of 260 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 143 knots, while the MV-75 will be between 500-800 nautical miles with a cruise speed of 280 knots.

Now that's an extended range... and something any hostiles need to keep in mind... reach matters.

[Blackfingers]

Warfare in Ukraine is unique as its a scaled down WW1 static trenchline.Even the assaults are limited asset non linked affairs with small or zero gains.
Apaches and Ka52 are born out of the Cold War with large scale deep penetration attacks.Why the Apache worked in Desert Storm but its shortcomings were soon found out.High maintenance in dusty conditions,high wear on parts and short time loitering over targets looking for targets only to put a $200G Hellfire through it.
Efficiency is the keyword now.Range,speed,fuel usage and rapid target elimination.
Drones and UAV,s do it cheaper,quieter but still havent cracked the range.

 while the MV-75 will be between 500-800 nautical miles with a cruise speed of 280 knots.

As an empty demonstrator/prototype yes but wonder how close they will get when they fit it with a mini gun,missiles,targetting gear and armour plate.

[Zaphod58]

Warfare in Ukraine is unique as its a scaled down WW1 static trenchline.Even the assaults are limited asset non linked affairs with small or zero gains.
Apaches and Ka52 are born out of the Cold War with large scale deep penetration attacks.Why the Apache worked in Desert Storm but its shortcomings were soon found out.High maintenance in dusty conditions,high wear on parts and short time loitering over targets looking for targets only to put a $200G Hellfire through it.
Efficiency is the keyword now.Range,speed,fuel usage and rapid target elimination.
Drones and UAV,s do it cheaper,quieter but still havent cracked the range.
As an empty demonstrator/prototype yes but wonder how close they will get when they fit it with a mini gun,missiles,targetting gear and armour plate.

The V-280 prototype was flown with troops aboard, full payloads, and with Army pilots. That program was run hard and wildly successful. They completed the required Army test points and moved into their own, and were working on autonomous flight afterwards.

[Bizup]

If you try to launch an attack with helicopters in a modern warfare scenario chances are you are going to be dead.

[Zaphod58]

If you try to launch an attack with helicopters in a modern warfare scenario chances are you are going to be dead.

Not necessarily. It depends on so many factors that it's not funny. Like terrain, range, air defense situation, etc. There are plenty of scenarios where attack helicopters will be extremely useful.

[Bizup]

Not necessarily. It depends on so many factors that it's not funny. Like terrain, range, air defense situation, etc. There are plenty of scenarios where attack helicopters will be extremely useful.

Only against village-level opponents. If you have the technological upper hand and are fighting aborigonees youve got quite the chance.