A guide to over 80 years of rotorcraft, from the first types deployed in World War II to the specialized aircraft in service today. This fully up-to-date reference book provides an authoritative overview of the military helicopter. It begins with a detailed history, from the ideas of Leonardo da Vinci through to the tilt-rotor aircraft that have operated with coalition forces in Afghanistan. The book continues with an A–Z directory covering over 80 helicopters from the most famous manufacturers including Aérospatiale, Agusta, Bell, Boeing-Vertol, Eurocopter, Kamov, Robinson, and Sikorsky. The origins, development and operation of each type are clearly described, and a specification panel gives key performance and dimensional data. This informative book is superbly illustrated with cutaway drawings and over 500 photographs showing helicopters both on the battlefield and in service