[Exclusive] "Army Helicopters Breaking Down One After Another"... Flights Halted for Apaches, Black Hawks, Cobras in Emergency [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Another "second Apache" grounded
Army Aviation Operations Command's helicopter fleet plagued by failures
Black Hawks, Cobras, light utility helicopters grounded

The Army's helicopter fleet is facing a crisis. The Apache (AH-64E) attack helicopter has been unable to fly for more than a month, and it has been confirmed that helicopters of other types are in the same situation.

An AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter hovers during a large-scale aviation operations exercise at the Army Aviation Command in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Joint Press Corps / File photo.

According to the military on November 11, Sikorsky, the U.S. manufacturer of the Army's Black Hawk (UH-60) helicopters, recommended full modifications in 2023 and 2025 after technical defects were found in the tail rotor. The issue involves the tail rotor's components lifting or separating. The tail rotor reduces the rotational force of the main rotor, which generates lift, and controls the helicopter's direction. If a problem develops with the tail rotor, the helicopter could lose control and is more likely to crash.

Sikorsky has offered to modify the tail rotors, but cannot guarantee when the work will be completed. Of the 113 Black Hawks currently operated by the Army, about 70 have yet to be modified. The manufacturer says it would be difficult to modify more than eight helicopters a month because so many aircraft deployed around the world require the work. The Army believes the Black Hawks will not be able to return to normal operations until after 2028.

The Army had planned to retire about 60 of its 75 Cobra (AH-1S) attack helicopters this year. These helicopters were deployed alongside the Apache. They were to be replaced by the domestically developed Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), but delivery of the LAH has been delayed. In September 2025, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the manufacturer, used tap water instead of distilled water while washing an engine, causing deposits to form inside it. In April 2026, the engine manufacturer Hanwha Aerospace used a rubber mallet while assembling an engine, causing it to crack. The company says the engine will be repaired, but the helicopters' entry into service will inevitably be delayed. With the introduction of the LAH running late, the Army has completely suspended flights of the Cobra helicopters, which were due to be retired.

The problem with the light-armed helicopters (500MD) is their age. In May 2025, a defect was discovered in the oil cooler blower, and all 500MD flights were suspended. The oil cooler blower is a cooling device that prevents the engine from overheating. The Army inspected all of its helicopters, but the same defect was found again in September 2026. The Army plans to replace the parts and maintain its target operational rate.

The Army said, "We are operating only helicopters whose safety is assured in accordance with the recommendations of the helicopter manufacturers," adding, "Once flight safety is confirmed, they will resume normal flights in accordance with the proper procedures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.