Top 10 Fastest Helicopters in the World (Hybrids and War Machines)

The undisputed speed demon. This was a demonstrator from Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter). Instead of a tail rotor, the X3 has two propellers on small wings. Airbus confirmed in its press release that it smashed the unofficial speed record with it. Unfortunately, this aircraft never went into mass production; it is now in a museum in France.

The big American rival of the X3. The Sikorsky X2 uses a completely different system: two main rotors spinning in opposite directions (coaxial) and a large pusher propeller at the back. In 2010 this aircraft set an unofficial record. The X2's technology is now being used for the US Army's new generation of combat helicopters.

This is the “big brother” of the X2 and is intended for the military. The 'Defiant' was designed to replace the well-known Black Hawk. It is built to get soldiers to the front twice as fast as conventional helicopters. Lockheed Martin boasts that it combines the maneuverability of a helicopter with the speed of a propeller plane.

This is the official world record holder for conventional helicopters (without extra propellers). In 1986, a specially modified British Lynx (G-LYNX) flew faster than 400 km/h. The record has stood for almost 40 years and is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Its rotor blades were specially designed to handle the supersonic shock waves at the tips.

A flying tank from the Soviet era. The 'Hind' is unique because it is a heavily armored attack helicopter that can also carry 8 soldiers. Despite its clumsy looks, it is terrifyingly fast. Thanks to its streamlined shape and retractable landing gear, it is still the fastest production helicopter in service worldwide.

Formerly known as the EC155. This is a luxury civilian helicopter often used by police or for VIP transport. It is the fastest helicopter you can buy as a private individual (if you have a few million lying around). It is known for its quiet 'Fenestron' tail rotor (a rotor built into the tail).

The famous “flying banana” with two large rotors in tandem. You wouldn't expect it from such a bulky transport aircraft, but the Chinook is one of the fastest helicopters in the US arsenal. According to manufacturer Boeing, this is because all engine power goes into lift and forward speed, with no energy wasted on a tail rotor.

A modern classic you'll see all over the world, from the coast guard to offshore transport to oil rigs. The AW139 is extremely powerful for its size. In Italy and the Middle East it is often used as an air ambulance because it gets patients to hospital faster than almost any other model.

The Russian counterpart of the Apache. What makes the Ka-52 unique is that it has no tail rotor, but two main rotors stacked on top of each other (like the Sikorsky X2). This allows it to pull off extremely strange maneuvers, such as flying sideways at high speed. It is also the only helicopter in the world with ejection seats for the pilots.

We end with the most famous attack helicopter in the world. Although the Apache isn't the very fastest in a straight line (it loses out to its Russian rivals), it is fast enough to keep up with tanks. The Dutch Ministry of Defence describes the Apache as a versatile workhorse that excels mainly in agility and firepower, not pure top speed.