Daegu HG-14
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
| Daegu HG-14 | |
|---|---|
 Main HG-14 variants | |
| General information | |
| Type | Attack helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Daegu Aircraft Company |
| Status | In service |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1993 |
| Introduction date | 9 April 1996 |
The Daegu HG-14 (헬리콥터, 공격 14; Helicopter, Attack (No.) 14) is a Daekanese twin-engine, twin tandem cockpit attack helicopter. Designed and produced by the state-owned Daegu Aircraft Company, the HG-14 makes up the backbone of the Daekanese People's Army Ground Force's attack helicopter fleet. The HG-14 is an all weather, day-night attack helicopter optimised for the anti-tank role, and carries a nose mounted sensor suite for target detection and acquisition. The helicopter is armed with a chin-mounted GW-16/23 23mm chain gun, and features pylons under each stub wing that are able to mount a variety of ordnance.
Origins and development
Daekan became interested in attack helicopters early on in their developement. The country's number one defensive priority was a large-scale land war on the long border with Esgonia, and a dedicated attack helicopter for close air support (especially in the anti-armour role) was deemed necessary. Daekan first secured the sale of 40 Mi-24Ds from Vanquaria in 1978, with the aircraft delivered the same year. While overall liking the aircraft and its capabilities, the Daekanese military leadership considered it cumbersome and overly large, while its secondary transport capability was seen as next to useless was seldom used save for special forces insertions. Plans were drafted to design and produce a domestic attack helicopter, but the disastrous 7th Five-Year Plan and the Daekanese economic crisis put a halt to those plans. The military, however, still demanded an attack helicopter. In 1979, domestic production rights for the Mi-24 were secured, with first factory being opened in 1980.