MH-60L DAP

US Special Forces Attack Helicopter

The MH-60L DAP (Direct Action Penetrator) is an attack helicopter developed in the early 1990s for U.S. Special Operations Forces. It was created in response to the need of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Night Stalkers for an armed escort helicopter for transport aircraft. Existing AH-1 and AH-64 attack helicopters were not well suited to operating alongside transport helicopters, so the standard MH-60L was adapted into a powerful gunship.

The MH-60L DAP was designed to escort transport helicopters, provide direct fire support, engage armoured vehicles, and suppress enemy air defences in all weather conditions, day and night. Its main weapons included laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and the 30 mm M230 Chain Gun. The Hellfire missiles allowed it to engage armoured targets, while the M230, with a rate of fire of up to 625 rounds per minute, was effective against light armoured vehicles, trucks, and infantry.

An FLIR turret with a laser rangefinder/designator was mounted beneath the nose for weapon targeting. Integrated with the pilots’ helmet-mounted displays, the system allowed weapons to be aimed by turning the pilot’s head.