Helicopters give US forces a huge edge in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, hauling troops to far objectives and raining fire on the ground. NVA players have no choppers of their own, but they are far from helpless. The most reliable way to take one out is a purpose-built anti-air gun, backed up by boat-mounted machine guns and, in a pinch, an RPG.
Quick answer: Play as a Machine Gunner at Level 2, equip a wrench in the utility slot, place an anti-air (AA) blueprint, and spend 50 supply units to build it. Roughly 10 seconds of sustained fire on a helicopter destroys it.
What you need to build an anti-air gun
The AA gun is the only tool designed specifically to bring choppers down, and building one has hard requirements. Only one role can place the blueprint, and you need enough supply on hand to finish it.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Machine Gunner at Level 2 (only role that can deploy an AA) |
| Utility item | Wrench equipped in the utility slot |
| Supply cost | 50 supply units to complete the build |
| Default tool | Machine Gunner carries a hammer, so you can build it yourself if supplies are present |
| Who can use it | Once built, any role can man the gun |
Note: If adding the wrench pushes you over the weight limit, drop your secondary weapon or a grenade to make room.
Build the anti-air gun
You know it worked when the blueprint turns into a usable anti-air gun that you or any teammate can hop onto and fire.
Where to place the AA gun
Placement decides whether your gun actually hits anything. There are two solid approaches, and each has a trade-off.
- On hilltops or elevated ground, so you have a clear line of sight and can track choppers across the map.
- Tucked into bushes and trees, so incoming pilots have a harder time spotting the position before you open fire.
Once you are on target, expect about 10 seconds of sustained fire to drain a helicopter’s health and force it to crash. Keep the barrel on it and lead your shots rather than firing in short bursts.
Other ways to damage helicopters
If you cannot build an AA gun, two other weapons can still hurt or down a chopper. Neither is as consistent as the dedicated gun, but both matter when the situation calls for it.
| Weapon | How it works |
|---|---|
| Boat machine gun | The machine guns mounted on boats deal heavy hull damage and can force a chopper to crash once enough damage lands. |
| RPG | Deals real damage but is hard to land, especially against high-flying targets. It will not down a chopper in one or two shots, so aim for helicopters flying low or close by. |
Why your shots may not connect
A few common reasons account for missed kills. Firing in short bursts instead of holding on the target rarely reaches the roughly 10 seconds of damage needed. RPGs sail past choppers at altitude because they are small, fast-moving targets. And if you have not hit Level 2 as a Machine Gunner, or you skipped the wrench, you simply cannot place the AA blueprint in the first place.
Pin down the anti-air gun early, hold it against every pass, and lean on boat guns and RPGs when a chopper strays low. That combination is enough to keep the skies dangerous for US pilots even without a helicopter of your own.
