Aircraft & UAVs

Gyrocopters

Gyrocopters are light rotary-wing aircraft that use an unpowered autorotating rotor and a propeller for thrust; in Myanmar's civil war, the junta has used them in low-altitude bombing attacks.

Built by
Various manufacturers
Built in
International

Profile

Type
Gyroplane / autogyro
Origin
International
Service note
20th century-present
aircraftrotary-wingstrike

Service History

In service
Used in civil aviation and, in some cases, improvised military roles.
Used by
Civil aviation operators, Military and paramilitary forces
Wars
Myanmar Civil War

Production History

Designer
Juan de la Cierva
Designed
1920s
Built by
Various manufacturers
Built in
International
Unit cost
Varies widely by model and equipment
Produced
1920s-present
Number built
Thousands across many designs
Variants
Autogyro, Gyroplane

Specifications

Crew
1-3
Rotor
Unpowered rotor in autorotation
Propulsion
Engine-driven propeller
Takeoff
Requires forward motion and a short runway or takeoff roll
Role
Light aircraft for observation, sport flying, and niche utility use

Conflict Usage

Myanmar Civil War
Side: State Administration Council and allied forcesRole: Low-altitude bomb delivery platformstrikeclose air support

In the Myanmar Civil War, the junta has used commercial gyrocopters for low-altitude bombing attacks on civilians and opposition forces.

Gyrocopters Images

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Sources