The Soviet Air Forces and the US Air Force equipped the Sikorsky R-4 and the Mil Mi-4 with weapons, creating the first helicopters with limited combat capabilities. Additional losses occurred during scouting missions conducted by the army and marines.īefore the introduction of light attack helicopters, armed forces mostly used helicopters for transport and recon.

The air force flew 5.25 million deployments during the Vietnam War, losing 2,251 total aircraft, including over 100 helicopters. Out of about 11,856 helicopters deployed during the war, 5,607 helicopters were lost.

How many helicopters were lost in Vietnam?Īlong with significant losses of life, the Vietnam War resulted in the loss of military aircraft and equipment.

During this period, over 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam and over 58,000 died. The United States began providing military support for the South Vietnamese in 1955.

The United States used a variety of types of helicopters throughout the Vietnam War, as the conflict lasted for two decades.

Vietnam air force gunship operations