Gyundoan-Han GH-26 Agŏ

The Gyundoan-Han GH-26 Agŏ is a Menghean attack helicopter with a secondary troop transport capability in certain models. Originally a licensed copy of the Reberiyan ShGv-5 with downgraded electronics, through a separate, parallel series of improvements and modernizations it has developed a number of major differences, most notably in the distinct location of the flexible 30mm cannon.

Design and development

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Democratic People's Republic of Menghe procured licenses for a number of military helicopters, mainly from Letnia. By 1973, the Menghean People's Army was expressing interest in a heavily armed helicopter gunship, motivated in large part by the ongoing proxy war in Dzhungestan.

Sim Jin-hwan initially favored a domestic design, in line with the Daesŭngri DS-5 and Songrim SR-7, but the Gyundoan-Han helicopter design bureau was apparently struggling to move beyond small, lightweight aircraft. After Letnia offered a gunship modification of the Mi-8, which the MPA found inadequate, Reberiya became an unlikely entrant into the competition by offering its ShGv-5. Six airframes were shipped to the DPRM for testing and evaluation in 1975, and after these impressed their operators, Menghe negotiated a production license in 1976. Mass production of the domestic Menghean variant, designated GH-26G, began the following year.

Variants

GH-26G:

Original license-production variant, which entered service in 1977. Its ATGM armament consisted of manually guided YDCh-10 missiles.

GH-26N:

Variant with a laser guidance system to support more accurate YDCh-12 ATGMs. Also had minor changes to the IFF system. Introduced in 1981.

GH-26N1:

Upgrade kit for GH-26Ns, for compatibility with the newer YDCh-13. Introduced in 1985.

GH-26G1:

Upgrade kit for the GH-26G, to bring it to GH-26N1 standard.

GH-26N2:

Post-revolution upgrade of the GH-26N with improved electronics and avionics.

GH-26D:

The first major post-revolution variant, first seen in 1997. Avionics and electronics, including the gunner's camera, were substantially improved, and compatibility with early-model helmet-mounted sights was added. The wing hardpoints were updated to the new Army Aviation modular standard, and wired to carry the YDCh-17 ATGM or the YGG-5 air-to-air missile. Also introduced armored glass panels around the cockpit, though not around its lower section.

GN-26N3:

Upgrade kit for the GH-26N with most of the D model's features: new avionics, improved ECM, bulletproof glass, and compatibility with the YDCh-17.

GH-26R:

A major variant introduced in 2006. The nose-mounted 23mm cannon was replaced by a 30mm cannon centered under the fuselage, and the passenger compartment was converted into fuel and ammunition storage. Air mixing units were added over the exhaust vents to reduce the infrared signature. In addition to the D model's bulletproof glass, also added an armored tub around the lower half of the cockpit.

GH-26D1:

Upgrade kit for the GH-26D, introduced in 2008. Added compatibility with the YGJ-48 (Brimstone) missile and other new GH-26R armaments, as well as the -R's exhaust air mixers and defensive EW suite. The position of the cannon was not changed.

GH-26H:

Dedicated training airframe with the gun removed. All are conversions of "G" or "N" airframes, usually early-production ones. The external hardpoints are retained.

GH-26Jj:

Special upgrade package for service in Dzhungestan. Prominent dust filters are added ahead of the turbine intakes, and dust filtration elsewhere in the airframe is improved. Also carries all modifications up to -D1 standard.