- Yes
- No
- Israel
- Future Latin American Tree
- Other
- I said no
This suggestion is a complement to the 3 previous suggestions that I have made which are the Chilean land, air and naval sub tree for Israel, to know the history and details please consult the other 3 suggestions within the forum.
History between Chile and Israel
During the 1970s Chile was going through very tense moments with its 3 neighbors (Argentina, Bolivia and Peru) who had territorial claims and like Israel at that time Chile was politically alone and surrounded by belligerent countries. Chile was under the government of Dictator Augusto Pinochet accused of crimes against humanity, the country was under embargo on military purchases. This is how Chile turned to Israel, which accepted the request for help. Thus, in 1977, Chile and Israel signed a contract for the purchase of various military equipment (Tanks, missiles, etc.). Once the conflict ended, both countries continued to collaborate and Chile acquired much more equipment of Israeli origin for its 3 branches, army, air force and navy.
In relation to the helicopters, Rafael and IAI of Israel converted 2 Chilean MD 530F into a more powerful attack version, equipping one with LAHAT missiles while the other was equipped with Spike missiles and new vision devices, giving them great capacity antitank. The Israeli LAHAT missiles were also tested on other Chilean vehicles such as the Mowag Piranha and the Leopard 1V, so IAI advertising for these missiles uses these vehicles as examples to promote the LAHATs, including the Chilean helicopter. There is also a video where you can see the Chilean helicopter launching this missile.
To this day, the Chilean Air Force continues to work together with the Israeli Air Force and the highest authorities of the countries have exchanged knowledge and strengthened ties, highlighting Israel’s collaboration in the Chilean space program where Israeli companies developed Chilean satellites and the authorities of that country collaborated. It should also be noted that a large amount of Chilean military material is composed of Israeli material in the 3 main military branches of Chile, Army, Aviation and Navy.
Disclaimers:
- The BR of this tree represent the realistic game mode.
- Some data may not be 100% accurate, also some sources may contradict in some aspects such as technical specifications, basically I did what I could with what I found, if anyone has more information I would appreciate it if you share it in the comments section.
The second column where the Israeli Lahatut is located is complemented almost perfectly by the Chilean helicopters that follow it as they help fill those missing spaces. It is also important to note that the Chilean MD 530F are the natural evolution of the MD 500-TOW Lahatut Israeli since they are more advanced versions of the Israeli helicopter, as well as the weapons evolve to Israeli LAHAT and Spike missiles that are more powerful than the TOW, so the link with Israel is not lost with the new Chilean helicopters. In addition, the Chilean subtree integrates some unique national modifications such as the Cardoen-Bell 206L-III.
Helicopter list:
Rank 5
Bell UH-1H
- Description:
- The first UH-1 arrived in Chile in its D version in 1966 and later all were converted to the more powerful H version. They had an important role during the conflict with Argentina at the end of the 70s where they were armed and modified by the FACH to be able to fight, two .50 machine guns from the old B-26 invader were installed in the front and they were armed with Brazilian SBAT 70 rockets. In addition, SURA rockets were added, allowing only two pairs to be hung per side. The sights of the B-26 invader were also adapted to the helicopters.
- Crew:
- 2
- Armament:
- Guns: 2x Browning AN/M2 .50-cal
- Rockets: 38x SBAT 70 rockets, 8x SURA rockets
- Dimensions:
- Lenght: 17.6 m
- Width: 2.9 m
- Height: 4.4 m
- Empty weight: 2,363 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 4,309 kg
- Maneuverability:
- Engine: 1× Lycoming T53-L-13 turboshaft, 1,400 hp
- Max speed: 204 km/h
- Cruise speed: 204 km/h
- Range: 511 km
- Service Ceiling: 3,800 m
- Rate of climb: 8.1 m/s
- Sources:
- Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 1987-88
- Unsung: The AN/M2 .50-cal. Machine Gun in World War II | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- https://www.fach.mil.cl/images/biblioteca/rojo.pdf
- https://museoaeronautico.dgac.gob.cl/2017/12/07/140-vitrina-de-la-actualidad-el-helicoptero-bell-uh-1-d-h-de-la-fuerza-aerea-de-chile/
- Janes Air-Launched Weapons-1997
- IROQUOIS en CHILE
Bell UH-1H “Mamba”
- Description:
- In the years after the conflict with Argentina, Chile continued to provide its UH-1H with new weapons. The most important addition being the Mamba anti-tank missiles of Swiss-German origin, which were the best version of the Cobra missile that could penetrate up to 350 mm of armor.
- Crew:
- 2
- Armament:
- Guns: 2x Browning AN/M2 .50-cal
- Rockets: 38x SBAT 70 rockets, 14x SBAT 70 rockets, 8X SURA rockets
- Missiles: 2x Mamba Anti-tank Missiles
- Dimensions:
- Lenght: 17.6 m
- Width: 2.9 m
- Height: 4.4 m
- Empty weight: 2,363 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 4,309 kg
- Maneuverability:
- Engine: 1× Lycoming T53-L-13 turboshaft, 1,400 hp
- Max speed: 204 km/h
- Cruise speed: 204 km/h
- Range: 511 km
- Service Ceiling: 3,800 m
- Rate of climb: 8.1 m/s
- Sources:
- Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 1987-88
- Unsung: The AN/M2 .50-cal. Machine Gun in World War II | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- https://www.fach.mil.cl/images/biblioteca/rojo.pdf
- https://museoaeronautico.dgac.gob.cl/2017/12/07/140-vitrina-de-la-actualidad-el-helicoptero-bell-uh-1-d-h-de-la-fuerza-aerea-de-chile/
- Janes Air-Launched Weapons-1997
- IROQUOIS en CHILE
Cardoen-Bell CB 206L-III
- Description:
- Chilean modification of a Bell 206 made by Cardoen industries. The front part was completely changed by a more reinforced structure, becoming single-seat and providing the helicopter with various national and foreign weapons. For this, a sight for Chinese HJ-8 missiles was added and tests of said missile were carried out without much success. However, the new modified helicopter managed to withstand loads 3.5 times higher than the original one, so in its 5 hard points it could be loaded with heavy bombs manufactured in Chile by Industrias Cardoen, in addition to a torpedo and minor weapons. 2 of these helicopters were built, one being the attack version that did not fly and the second that traveled to the United States for certifications and that flew, however it was confiscated in the United States under the slander that it would be sold to Iraq, so the mass production of these helicopters could not be carried out.
- Crew:
- 1
- Armament:
- Guns: 1x Lucas Turret carrying 0.50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine-gun
- Rockets: 2x LAU-32 rocket launchers each with 7 FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- Missiles: 4x HJ-8 anti-tank missiles (tested) or 4x HJ-73 anti-tank missiles (?)
- Bombs: Cardoen GP (3x Mk.81/121 kg, 3x Mk.82/230 kg, 2x Mk.83/416 kg)
- Torpedoes: 1x Sting Ray Torpedo
- Dimensions:
- Lenght: 12.95 m
- Width: 1.98 m
- Height: 3.66 m
- Empty weight: 1,095 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 1,928 kg
- Maneuverability:
- Engine: 1x Allison 250-C30P turboshaft, 650 hp
- Max speed: 241 km/h
- Cruise speed: 207 km/h
- Range: 596 km
- Service Ceiling: 6,100 m
- Rate of climb: 6.8 m/s
- Sources:
- Janes Air-Launched Weapons-1997
- Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 1991-92
- Cardoen Bell 206 LIII: Proyecto Helicóptero de Industrias Cardoen
Rank 6
MD530F-LAHAT
- Description:
- Chile acquired the first 5 of these helicopters in 1989 and later 3 more. One of these MD 530F with number H-133 from Chile was modified by IAI to launch up to 8 Israeli LAHAT anti-tank missiles, these missiles are capable of penetrating up to 800 mm of RHA after ERA, which greatly increased the anti-tank capability of this Chilean helicopter. A video of this helicopter firing the LAHAT missile can be seen on YouTube.
- Crew:
- 2
- Armament:
- Guns: 2x 12.7mm FN Herstal M3P Machine Gun Pods
- Rockets: 2x LAU-7H each with 7 FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- Missiles: 8x LAHAT anti-tank missiles
- Dimensions:
- Lenght: 9.94 m
- Height: 2.67 m
- Empty weight: 722 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 1,406 kg
- Maneuverability:
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C30B turboshaft, 650 hp
- Max speed: 249 km/h
- Cruise speed: 228 km/h
- Range: 430 km
- Service Ceiling: 5700 m
- Rate of climb: 10.5 m/s
- Sources:
- https://www.iai.co.il/sites/default/files/2021-03/LAHAT%20Helicopters%20-%20Brochure.pdf
- El Ejército de Chile despliega el helicóptero MD-530F en tareas de reconocimiento en La Araucania
- MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 530F Specifications, Cabin Dimensions, Performance
- The international directory of civil aircraft, 2003/2004
MD530F-Spike
- Description:
- Chile acquired the first 5 of these helicopters in 1989 and later 3 more. One of these Chilean MD 530Fs was modified by Rafael and was equipped with 4 Spike LR missiles and 4 Spike ER missiles, and was also fitted with an 8-12um Topaz optical sight in a belly-mounted turret. Therefore, the new Spike LR and ER missiles provided the helicopter with 700 and 1000 mm of anti-tank penetration respectively via IR guidance and fire mode “fire and forget”.
- Crew:
- 2
- Armament:
- Guns: 2x 12.7mm FN Herstal M3P Machine Gun Pods
- Rockets: 2x LAU-7H each with 7 FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- Missiles: 4x Spike LR anti-tank missiles and 4x Spike ER anti-tank missiles
- Dimensions:
- Lenght: 9.94 m
- Height: 2.67 m
- Empty weight: 722 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 1,406 kg
- Maneuverability:
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C30B turboshaft, 650 hp
- Max speed: 249 km/h
- Cruise speed: 228 km/h
- Range: 430 km
- Service Ceiling: 5700 m
- Rate of climb: 10.5 m/s
- Sources:
- US eases attack helicopter stance for South Americans | News | Flight Global
- Spike-ER
- El Ejército de Chile despliega el helicóptero MD-530F en tareas de reconocimiento en La Araucania
- MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 530F Specifications, Cabin Dimensions, Performance
- The international directory of civil aircraft, 2003/2004