Commercial Fixed Wing
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors; Procedure
ATC failed to notify us of a potential conflict until it was too late. The [conflicting] helicopter failed to maintain adequate visual separation.We departed Wichita (ICT). Tower cleared us for takeoff. We completed our before takeoff check and set takeoff thrust. Somewhere between V1 and 400ft AGL; tower called us and said '[Aircraft X]; do not respond; aircraft off your left has you in sight'. Almost immediately we received a Resolution Advisory (RA) to climb at 3;500 fpm. The other aircraft was within 500'; same altitude; and on a direct intercept course. We followed the RA. I could not see how close we came. The Captain stated that he had the helicopter in sight (I did not). It came very close. [It] appeared [we] were too low to make any kind of maneuver other than climb to avoid hitting the helicopter. At no point prior to departure were we warned of the helicopter's presence. The departure end appeared clear when we took the runway. Only after V1 were we issued a traffic advisory. It was far too late. We complied with the RA.
Air Carrier First Officer reported a NMAC with a helicopter during their initial climb on departure from ICT.