||The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily
with USA and Soviet Union/Russia and do not represent a
worldwide view of the subject. (December 2010)| An attack
helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an
attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the
ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles. Due to
their heavy armament they are sometimes called helicopter
gunships. Weapons used on attack helicopters can include
autocannons, machine-guns, rockets, and guided missiles such as
the Hellfire. Many attack helicopters are also capable of
carrying air to air missiles, though mostly for purposes of
self-defense. Today's attack helicopter has two main roles:
first, to provide direct and accurate close air support for
ground troops, and the second, in the anti-tank role to destroy
enemy armor concentrations. Attack helicopters are also used to
supplement lighter helicopters in the armed scout role. In
combat, an attack helicopter is projected to destroy aro