Combat helicopters in War Thunder

~ Sebastianul

We are happy to announce a new vehicle type – combat helicopters! They play a very important role in modern warfare and they are an important part of the air forces of many countries, that’s why they are coming to War Thunder!

Completely new gameplay will become available in the next major update with these heavily armed war machines! We will talk about helicopters and new armoured vehicles in our devblog series that begins today.

Information about helicopters in War Thunder

FAQ

— Which nations will have helicopters available from the start?

We will start with helicopters of the USA and USSR. As for the introduction of helicopters for other nations, we will let you know at later date.

— In which game modes will helicopters be implemented?

Helicopters will be available in combined ground battles (all modes) from rank V. We will probably add ‘helicopter vs helicopter’ battles in the future.

— May I join the battle in a helicopter from the start?  

Helicopters are limited with spawn points, just as with aircraft, so you should first gain enough SP whilst controlling ground vehicles.

— Do you plan any unique events for helicopters only or events where they play a special important role?

It’s too early to say at the moment, considering helicopters’ characteristics and capabilities. I think that special events will be introduced when the time comes.

— What will the control mechanics be in different game modes? Will there be “full controls” option as for aircraft?  

As is the case for aircraft, we plan 4 control modes as for aircraft.

The easiest mode is mouse aim – in this mode a player controls helicopter through autopilot that is very similar to aircraft MA but with specific helicopter FM features. All other modes will also be available up to full control mode where automatic system is completely switched off and player has total control of the machine.

— Can you tell us about researchable modifications for helicopters?

Just like other vehicles, they will divided into types that affect “flight characteristics”, “survivability” and “armament”. Available modifications – just like other aircraft – will affect flight characteristics and unlock new armament types.

— Will the helicopter research tree be available for all players from the beginning, or will there be a CBT first?  

We plan to launch the CBT after the release of update 1.81. You will be able to get access by completing specific tasks or purchasing special packs in the store. More details will be released later.

— Will helicopters have their own research tree? What rank will the first helicopters be?  

Helicopters will have their own tree, access to which will be obtained by players who have at least one ground vehicle or aircraft of rank V in the hanger of the corresponding nation (at the moment it will be USSR and USA).

— Do you plan on making premium helicopters available for purchase right from the start?  

Yes. The UH-1C XM30 and Mi-24D will be available in the store.

— Helicopters from what time period will be available in the game?  

Starting from the first strike helicopters – modifications of the multipurpose machines and special designs up to modern gunships. But it is possible that most modern modifications will not have all the possible armament, especially modern missiles that use “fire and forget” principle. At least not until ground forces will have something to counter that.

— Is it possible to research all helicopter tree whilst flying only aircraft? Is it possible to convert RP for Golden Eagles?

You may only gain RP to research helicopters whilst flying helicopters. As for RP conversion – it the same as for other vehicle types.

— Will there be separate helicopter crew or will it be the same as for aircraft?

Helicopters will be using aircraft crews and their skills.

— Will there be user-created camos available for helicopters? What about decals?  

Yes we plan to introduce possibility for users to create camos. Decals are already available – they are implemented the same way as for aircraft.

— What armament is planned for helicopters?  

Almost all weaponry that was available for them in reality: turreted and stationary MG and cannon mounts, grenade launchers, MG/cannon/grenade launcher pods, unguided rockets of different calibres, ATGMs. We also have plans for air-to-air missiles

— Will you make cockpits for helicopters?

“Dimensional cockpit prototypes” will be available – they will have the cockpit’s geometry and all instruments and devices needed for flight control, with a separate gunner position and helicopter aiming system view.

— Will there be special landing sites for helicopters? In ground battles, in naval battles? Or will helicopters land on the same airfields and carriers as aircraft?  

We have already added helicopter landing sites in test flights. Special landing sites for take-off, landing, resupply will also be added to those maps where battles with helicopters will take place.

— Will I be able to capture a zone using my helicopter?

Yes, we have already implemented these mechanics.

— Helicopter FM is very different from that of aircraft. Will it have the same level of detail as aircraft FMs have? Will such aspects as auto-rotation (with possibility to land helicopter with dead engine) be implemented?

Yes. Helicopter FM has the same level of detail as all in-game aviation. Such effects as auto-rotation are implemented. Besides the effects based on aerodynamics and other physical laws, we have also implemented various helicopter systems, such as gas-turbine engines, transmissions, control systems etc.

Don’t miss live streams with the first helicopter gameplay footage and other details from the upcoming update with Gaijin Entertainment Creative Director Kirill Yudintsev on August 21st and 22nd 13:00 GMT on our official platforms. Your favorite bloggers and letsplayers will also be with us along the way, presenting a hands-on experience in exploring the recent updates to War Thunder!

Stay tuned!

Huey Hog Pack
Huey Hog Pack
The Kit Includes:
  • Helicopter UH-1C XM-30 (Rank 5, USA)
  • 2000 Golden Eagles
  • 15 days or premium account
  • Unique title: “Pathfinder”
  • Unique decal: Iroquois
  • Helicopters Closed Beta access

The UH-1 “Iroquois” helicopter, also known as “Huey”, is one of the most famous mass production helicopters in the world. Designed by the American company Bell in the mid 60’s, this utility helicopter powered by a single turboshaft engine, with two bladed main and tail rotors, took part in more than 10 wars around the world and currently is in service in 60 countries. The model 1C was developed during the Vietnam War and has an upgraded 1100 hp engine, allowing for 135 mph (220 km/h) maximum speed and 13,390 ft (5900 m) service ceiling. As an alternative to the standard armament, which consists of machine guns, unguided rockets and 6 “TOW” ATGM’s, you can install an experimental XM-30 system – two 30 mm guns with 600 rounds per gun.

Hind Pack
Hind Pack
The Kit Includes:
  • Helicopter Mi-24D with Czechoslovakian Air Force camouflage (Rank 5, USSR)
  • 2000 Golden Eagles
  • 15 days or premium account
  • Unique title: Sharp-toothed
  • Unique decal: Czechoslovak army coat of arms
  • Helicopters Closed Beta access

The Mi-24 series were developed in late 1960’s and is the most widely used attack helicopter in the world. The model Mi-24D was released in 1972 and has several distinctive features over the original Mi-24A model. This model has a redesigned forward fuselage, with two separate cockpits for the pilot and gunner in a tandem configuration, also new titanium armor was installed, which sustains shots from 20 mm guns, and armored cockpit glass. The armament consists of a 12.7 mm calibre four-barrel rotary cannon, four SACLOS “Phalanga-MV” anti-tank missiles with 600 mm armor penetration, and various additional ordnance options of 23 mm gunpods, unguided rockets and bombs.

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34 thoughts on “Combat helicopters in War Thunder”

        1. Read that again, “genius”. Mi-24D WITH Czechoslovakian camouflage.
          If you arent complete idiot, WT have lot of premiums that are “just” reskins of tanks in normal tree….

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            1. You started that attacks, and yes, there are tons of premiums that are only reskins, so yours “the most iconic helicopters will be premiums” doesnt make sence. There will be premium Mi-24 and normal Mi-24. Understood?

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                    2. What has that to do with them being lazy?
                      CBT access premiums are reskins so that the die-hard players can get access immidietly, while not locking the more unique premiums behind timed offer for the rest of the players. No one forces anyone to pay for them.

                      It’s always been like that. Push out 2-3 packs of reskins which are available only during, or before CBT, and retire them when it goes live.

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    2. This one is a premium since it has an experimental Cannon on it. There is already a Huey in the tech tree and I am sure they will add more variants.

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    1. Maybe that’s because russian tanks 90% of the time don’t have turret racks and turret baskets?
      Some tanks that had ammo stored in turrets(such as T-44s and T-54 family), and they have this mechanic implemented.

      Out of curiosity, which ones do you think should have ammo in turret, but don’t in-game?

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. It’s to bad , was hoping for something more interesting than these, here’s hoping the Italians come before Christmas.

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        1. Yeah, Italians are probably coming out this December, or November.
          It would make sense if you take a lookj when the previous tank techtrees were introduced.

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      1. Vehicle balance…(Yes I know WoT is worse but WT isn’t good either)

        And they seems to forgot the Air Force….whereas modern MBTs are all over Ground force…There’s no equivalent or at least jets up to the Vietnam War era.

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        1. I agree with you on that, would rather have seen newer jets or at least ground attack planes , I understand more modern fighters taking a while.

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          1. WoT is worse IMO mainly due to 357MM….some tanks are so bad that even in top tier, they couldn’t carry.

            And also I said this so the non-WoT supporters/WT fanbois stay off and don’t call me bias.

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        3. They’ve driven themselves into a corner with jets.

          Even 1930s tanks can destroy an MBT from the side or rear. That’s why they can push the timeline as far as they want. But the gap between jet fighter generations is ENORMOUS. Not just the engines etc. but the whole tech behind it: afterburners, A2A missiles, radar guidance, chaff, flares.

          It goes on and on. F-100 makes the MiG 17 totally obsolete. While the MiG 21 makes the F-100 totally obsolete.

          It’s a nightmare to balance.

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          1. Besides like a historical battle where king tigers verses weaker tankers happen more often, there are a few tanks that run amok. Obj 906 was one but it’s BR was finally changed, another is the RU251, it is extremely over powered at it’s BR.

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  6. I love reading all those whiny comments from die hard wot fans (and wallet warriors – because you can’t enjoy wot without screwing your wallet these days). So, I heard there are more premium tanks inbound for wot =]]

    Liked by 2 people

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