Guns are a ubiquitous element of military helicopter designs. While cannons continue to do the job on larger attack platforms, smaller rotorcraft are witnessing something of a renaissance in the development and application of guns. Roger O'Dell, director of programme management for MD Helicopters, explained to DH: 'I think the unique things about rotorcraft are that [the hostile engagements] are generally at closer range, generally in a denied area or in a [restricted engagement] environment, where a controlled response like a gun is always going to be a first or second line of response as you go up the kill chain.'
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