H-20 Horse
| H-20 Horse | |
|---|---|
| |
| An Earth Navy H-20/N Seahorse helicopter from ENS Chancery at the Floating City | |
| Role | Medium-lift utility helicopter |
| National origin |  Earth Kingdom
|
| Manufacturer | Royal Ba Sing Se Foundry Works |
| First flight | 12 April 2022 |
| Introduction | 16 April 2022 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Earth Army Earth Navy |
| Produced | 2022–present |
| Number built | 33 |
The Royal Foundry H-20 Horse is a medium-lift utility helicopter developed for the Army and Navy of the Earth Kingdom. Initially developed to serve as an armoured airlifter for the air assault battalions of the Earth Army's Airborne Regiment, the helicopter first entered service in April 2022. It has since been adopted by the Earth Navy as a ship-based maritime patrol helicopter and seen combat at the Battle of Besorrowed Gorge. It is the first functional rotary-wing aircraft in the world; unlike an airplane, it generates lift by means of its large rotor rather than by .
As an airskiff, the H-20 Horse is a fast, agile and small craft designed to operate from ships and airbases with a limited loitering ability. Unlike most earlier unarmoured models, the H-20 Horse possesses an armoured front fuselage to withstand frontal anti-aircraft fire. The H-20 is named for the horse, in recognition of the animal's versatile uses to humans; likewise, each of its variants is named after a type of horse. The H-20 Horse currently exists in three variants: the H-20/T Workhorse, an armed utility helicopter and medium airlifter; the H-20/C Packhorse, an unarmed transport helicopter; and the H-20/N Seahorse, a naval patrol helicopter. A theoretical fourth variant, the H-20/A Warhorse attack helicopter, was designed but has not yet entered production.
Today, the H-20 Horse is a ubiquitous presence in the military forces of the Earth Kingdom, functioning in a variety of naval, ground and air roles. With over thirty examples manufactured and currently operational, the H-20 Horse is both the most numerous aircraft in active service and the most-produced aircraft in history.
Design
Operational history
Variants
Operators
- Earth Army: 23
- Earth Navy: 8
Specifications
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Water Tribe helicopter of unknown model