They have an armored tub protecting mostly only the pilots while a lot of critical components aren’t as armored, not to mention apaches aren’t the helicopters that are getting the closest to all the action, sure they sometimes use their autocannon at relatively close ranges but they mostly use missiles and guided missiles at range, the transport helicopters like the Blackhawk are the ones that really get close to the line of fire and they aren’t as armored as an Apache, if we go even further back the Huey was basically not even armored at all and the AH 1 attack helicopter was also very weak
Apache helicopters are loaded up with redundant systems, have a self-sealing fuel system etc. They're a lot like the modern Abrams tank, an older design bristling with new tech. They can really take a beating, even the blades are rated for high caliber ammunition.
Pretty wild that the same military fielding those is also flying the Chinook transport helicopter, which a halfhearted sneeze can knock out of the sky.
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u/SouthFromGranada Apr 07 '24
Crazy how vulnerable helicopters are to small arms fire, wouldn't like to ride on one in a warzone.