AH-64 Apache
Type	Attack helicopter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Hughes Helicopters McDonnell Douglas Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Maiden flight	30 September 1975
Status	Active service
Primary users	United States Army Israel Air Force Royal Netherlands Air Force Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Produced	1984-present
Number built	1,048 as of 2000[1]
Unit cost	US$18 million (1996)[1]
Variants	Westland WAH-64 Apache

The AH-64 Apache is an all-weather day-night military attack helicopter and is the United States Army's principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. An attack helicopter, also known as a Helicopter Gunship, is a Military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing building testing selling and maintaining Aircraft, Aircraft parts Hughes Helicopters was a major manufacturer of military and civil Helicopters from the 1950s to the 1980s McDonnell Douglas was a major American Aerospace manufacturer and Defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft Boeing Integrated Defense Systems ( Boeing IDS) based in St Louis, Missouri, USA, is a unit of The Boeing Company responsible for The maiden flight of an Aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1975: Events January A specially modified McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF, Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, is the aviation branch of the Netherlands armed forces The, or JGSDF, is the Military ground force ( Army) of Japan The largest of the three services of the JSDF, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates The Westland WAH-64 Apache is a licence-built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack helicopter for the British Army. An attack helicopter, also known as a Helicopter Gunship, is a Military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. The AH-64 is a twin-engined helicopter with four-bladed main and tail rotors. It has a crew of two which sit in tandem. The main fixed armament is a 30 mm M230 Chain Gun, it is also able to carry a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire and Hydra 70 rockets on four hard points mounted on its stub-wing pylons. The Hughes M230 Chain Gun is a 30mm single-barrel Automatic cannon developed by Hughes and now manufactured by Alliant Techsystems. The AGM-114 Hellfire is a multi-platform multi-target United States modular Missile system The Hydra 70 rocket is a weapon derived from the 275 inch (70 mm "Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket" ( Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket) developed by the U

Designed by Hughes Helicopters in response to the Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter Program. Hughes Helicopters was a major manufacturer of military and civil Helicopters from the 1950s to the 1980s McDonnell Douglas purchased Hughes Helicopters and continued the development of the AH-64 resulting in the AH-64D Apache Longbow which is currently produced by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems ( Boeing IDS) based in St Louis, Missouri, USA, is a unit of The Boeing Company responsible for The United States Army's Apaches have been in action in Panama, Gulf War (destroying 500 tanks^[2]), Afghanistan, and Iraq. The United States invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, was the Invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989 The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7 2001 as the U The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia

Contents 1 Development 1.1 Advanced Attack Helicopter 1.2 Into production 2 Design 3 Operational history 3.1 United States 3.2 Israel 3.3 United Kingdom 3.4 The Netherlands 3.5 Other users 4 Variants 4.1 AH-64A 4.2 AH-64B 4.3 AH-64C 4.4 AH-64D 4.5 Export Apaches 4.6 Sea Apache 5 Operators 6 Specifications (AH-64A) 7 See also 8 Notes 9 External links

Development

Advanced Attack Helicopter

Following the cancellation of the AH-56 Cheyenne in favor of USAF and Marine projects like the A-10 and Harrier, the United States Army sought an aircraft to fill an anti-armor attack role that would still fall under Army command (the 1948 Key West Agreement having forbidden the Army from commanding fixed-wing aircraft). WikipediaProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The Key West Agreement is the colloquial name for a policy paper entitled Function of the Armed Forces and the Joint Chiefs of Staff drafted by James V The Army wanted an aircraft better than the AH-1 Cobra in firepower, performance and range. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. It would have the maneuverability to fly nap-of-the-earth (NoE) missions. Nap-of-the-earth (abbreviated NOE) is very low-level type of Flight course used to avoid detection and attack by an enemy when in a high-threat environment To this end, the US Army issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for an Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) in 1972. ^[2]

Proposals were submitted by five manufacturers: Bell, Boeing-Vertol (teamed with Grumman), Hughes, Lockheed, and Sikorsky. Bell Helicopter Textron is an American Helicopter and Tiltrotor manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth Texas. Boeing Helicopters (now Boeing Rotorcraft Systems) is a US aircraft manufacturer part of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, later Grumman Aerospace Corporation, was a leading 20th century U Hughes Aircraft Company was a major aerospace and defense company founded by Howard Hughes. The Lockheed Corporation (originally Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company was an American aerospace company founded in 1912 which merged with Martin Marietta Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American Aircraft manufacturer In 1973, the U. S. Department of Defense selected finalists Bell and Hughes Aircraft's Toolco Aircraft Division (later Hughes Helicopters). Hughes Helicopters was a major manufacturer of military and civil Helicopters from the 1950s to the 1980s Hughes Helicopters was a major manufacturer of military and civil Helicopters from the 1950s to the 1980s This began the phase 1 of the competition. ^[2]

Each company built prototype helicopters and went through a flight test program. Hughes' Model 77/YAH-64A prototype first flew on September 30, 1975, while Bell's Model 409/YAH-63A prototype first flew the following day. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[2] After evaluating test results, the Army selected Hughes' YAH-64A over Bell's YAH-63A in 1976. Reasons for selecting the YAH-64A included its more damage tolerant four-blade main rotor and the instability of the YAH-63's tricycle landing gear arrangement. ^[3]

The AH-64A then entered phase 2 of the AAH program. This called for building three preproduction AH-64s, and upgrading the two YAH-64A flight prototypes and the ground test unit up to the same standard. ^[4] Weapons and sensor systems were integrated and tested during this time,^[2] including the new Hellfire missile. The AGM-114 Hellfire is a multi-platform multi-target United States modular Missile system ^[4]

Into production

In 1981, three pre-production AH-64As were handed over to the U. S. Army for Operational Test II. The Army testing was successful, but afterwards it was decided to upgrade to the T700-GE-701 version of engine, producing 1,690 shp (1,259 kW). ^[2] In late 1981, the AH-64 was named the "Apache" keeping with the Army's traditional use of Native American tribal names for its helicopters. Hughes was approved for full scale production in 1982. ^[2] In 1983, the first production helicopter was rolled out at Hughes Helicopter's facility at Mesa, Arizona. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Mesa ( "MACE-uh") is a city in Maricopa County, in the U The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. In 1984, Hughes Helicopters was purchased by McDonnell Douglas for $500 million. McDonnell Douglas was a major American Aerospace manufacturer and Defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft Hughes later became part of The Boeing Company with the merger of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas in August 1997. In 1984, the incremental or flyaway cost for the AH-64A was US$7. 8 million and the average unit cost was approximately US$14 million with development costs included. ^[2]

In 2004, General Electric Aviation began producing more powerful T700-GE-701D engines, rated at 2,000 shp (1,500 kW) for AH-64Ds. ^[5] The total cost of the AH-64D program is US$10. 5 billion through April 2007. ^[6]

Design

The AH-64 is powered by two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines with high-mounted exhausts on either side of the rotor shaft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Apache has a four-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor. The crew sits in tandem, with the pilot sitting behind and above the copilot-gunner in an armored crew compartment. The crew compartment and fuel tanks are armored against 23 mm gunfire. The main rotor blade is designed to remain intact after sustaining hits by 23 mm rounds.

The helicopter is armed with a 30 mm M230 Chain Gun that can be slaved to the gunner's helmet-mounted gunsight, fixed to a locked forward firing position, or controlled via the TADS (Target Acquisition and Designation System). The Hughes M230 Chain Gun is a 30mm single-barrel Automatic cannon developed by Hughes and now manufactured by Alliant Techsystems. The AH-64 carries a range of external stores on its stub-wing pylons, typically a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, Hydra 70 general-purpose unguided 70 mm (2. The AGM-114 Hellfire is a multi-platform multi-target United States modular Missile system The Hydra 70 rocket is a weapon derived from the 275 inch (70 mm "Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket" ( Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket) developed by the U 75 in) rockets, and AIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles for defense. The AIM-92 Stinger or ATAS ( A ir T o A ir S tinger or ATAL is an Air-to-air missile developed from the shoulder-launched In case of emergency the pylons also have mounting points for personnel transfer (mounting points are handles normally used by maintenance personnel). ^[7]

The AH-64 is designed to endure front-line environments and to operate during the day or night and in adverse weather using avionics and electronics, such as the Target Acquisition and Designation System, Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS), passive infrared countermeasures, Global Positioning System (GPS), and the Integrated Helmet And Display Sight System (IHADSS). The Target Acquisition and Designation System Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS is the combined Sensor and targeting unit fitted to the AH-64 Apache Helicopter Basic concept of GPS operation A GPS receiver calculates its position by carefully timing the signals sent by the constellation of GPS Satellites high above the Earth

Operational history

United States

The Apache was first used in combat during the 1989 invasion of Panama, Operation Just Cause. Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) is the southernmost country of Central America. The United States invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, was the Invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989 The AH-64A Apache and the AH-64D Apache Longbow have played important roles in several Middle Eastern wars, including the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF is the official name used by the U Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The Apaches were proven to be excellent tank hunters and also destroyed hundreds of armored vehicles (mainly of the Iraqi army). A tank is a tracked, Armoured fighting vehicle designed for Front-line combat which combines Operational mobility and tactical Pre-2003 History The first Iraqi military forces established by the British were the Iraq Levies several battalions of troops tasked to guard the Royal Air Force bases

During Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991, eight AH-64As guided by four MH-53 Pave Low IIIs, were used to destroy a portion of the Iraqi radar network to allow bomber aircraft into Iraq without detection. Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[2] This was the first attack of Desert Storm. ^[2] The Apaches carried an asymmetrical load of Hydra 70 flechette rockets, Hellfires, and one auxiliary fuel tank each. The Hydra 70 rocket is a weapon derived from the 275 inch (70 mm "Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket" ( Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket) developed by the U The AGM-114 Hellfire is a multi-platform multi-target United States modular Missile system ^[8] During the 100-hour ground war, a total of 277 AH-64s took part. Apaches destroyed over 500 tanks, numerous armored personnel carriers and many other vehicles during Operation Desert Storm. ^[2]

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, some Apaches were damaged in combat, including one captured by Iraqi troops near Karbala on March 24, 2003, and shown on Iraqi television. Karbala ( BGN: Al-Karbalā’; also spelled Karbala al-Muqaddasah) is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad at Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The captured helicopter was destroyed via air strike the day after it was captured. ^[9] The March 24 attack, against an armored brigade of the Iraqi Republican Guard's Medina Division, was largely unsuccessful, apparently because the tank crews had set up a "flak trap" in broken terrain, employing their guns to good effect. Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland A brigade is a Military unit Echelon: is The Iraqi Republican Guard ( Arabic: الحرس العراقي الجمهوري/al-Haris Al-Jamhuri was a branch of the Iraqi military. A heavy machine gun refers to either a larger-caliber high-power Machine gun or one of the smaller medium-caliber (rifle caliber machine guns meant for prolonged firing from ^[10][11] More recently two Apaches were lost along with their crews between January 28 and February 2, 2007 to Iraqi insurgent ground fire in Taji and Najaf. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Iraqi insurgency is composed of diverse mix of militias foreign fighters all Iraqi units or mixtures using violent measures against the US-led Coalition in Iraq ^[12]

American AH-64Ds are currently flying in Iraq and Afghanistan without the Longbow Fire Control Radar as there are simply no armored threats for coalition forces to deal with. ^[13]

The vast majority of Apache helicopters that have taken heavy combat damage have been able to continue their assigned missions and return safely to their bases. For example, of the 33 Apaches employed in the March 24, 2003 attack, 30 were damaged by Iraqi ground fire with several being damaged beyond repair, but only one of these did not make it back to base. Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[11]

Israel

The Israeli Air Force uses the Apache to strike various targets with guided missiles. The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל Guided Missile is a London based Independent record label set up by Paul Kearney in 1994. The AH-64A attacked and destroyed some of Hezbollah outposts in Lebanon during the 1990s, attacking in many weather conditions — day and night. Hezbollah (حزب الله, literally " party of God " is a Shi'a Islamic political and Paramilitary organisation Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية During the al-Aqsa Intifada, the IAF used the Apaches to kill senior Hamas figures, such as Ahmed Yasin and Adnan al-Ghoul, with guided missiles. Ḥamas (ar حركة حماس acronym ar حركة المقاومة Sheikh Ahmed Ismail Yassin (1937 – March 22 2004 ( Arabic: ar الشيخ أحمد ياسين was the co-founder with Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, of Hamas Adnan Al-Ghoul (c 1962 - October 22, 2004) (عدنان الغول) was the assistant of Mohammed Deif, the leader of the Izz ad-Din In the Israel-Lebanon conflict of July – August 2006, two IAF AH-64A helicopters collided, killing 1 pilot and wounding 3, all critically. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל In another incident in the conflict, an IAF AH-64D Longbow crashed, killing the two pilots, due to a malfunction in the rotor hub. ^[14]

United Kingdom

Main article: Westland WAH-64 Apache

The UK operates a version of the Apache called the Westland WAH-64 Apache, and is designated Apache AH Mk1 by the British Army. The Westland WAH-64 Apache is a licence-built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack helicopter for the British Army. Westland has built 67 WAH-64 Apaches^[15] under license from Boeing replacing the engines with more powerful Rolls-Royce units. AgustaWestland is a Helicopter design and manufacturing company based in Italy and the United Kingdom. Rolls-Royce plc ( is a British Aircraft engine maker and the second-largest in the world behind GE Aviation. A folding blade assembly for carrier operations is another important change so they can operate alongside amphibious forces off Royal Navy ships. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The Westland Apache replaces the Westland Lynx as the British Army's tactical attack helicopter. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The WAH-64s are currently deployed in Afghanistan. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, ^[16] British WAH-64 Apaches are using the Longbow Fire Control Radar in Afghanistan, saying that it improves situational awareness and avoidance of other aircraft during tactical maneuvers. ^[17]

The Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Air Force ordered 30 AH-64D Apaches in 1996,^[18] after leasing 12 AH-64As. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF, Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, is the aviation branch of the Netherlands armed forces The radar domes were not included, hence the Dutch AH-64Ds are not referred to as Longbows. Their first deployment was in Djibouti, Africa. Djibouti ( جيبوتي Jībūtī, Somali: Jabuuti) officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country in the They were also deployed alongside US AH-64s in support of NATO peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Stabilisation Force (SFOR was a NATO -led multinational force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Latin script: Bosna i Hercegovina, Cyrillic script: Босна и Херцеговина is a country on the Balkan In 2004, Dutch AH-64s were deployed as part of the Netherlands contribution to Multinational force in Iraq. Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I, is a military command, led by the United States that is fighting the Iraq War against Iraqi insurgents or resistants ^[19] At the same time Dutch Apaches were also deployed to Kabul as part of the Netherlands contribution to ISAF. } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with In February 2006, the Netherlands contribution to NATO forces in Afghanistan was increased from 600 to 1,400 troops and 6 AH-64s were sent in support. ^[20]

Other users

In September 2003, Greece ordered 12 AH-64D (in addition to the already existing fleet of 20 AH-64A+) for a total cost of $675 million (presumably including weapons and support), indicating a gross unit cost for the AH-64D of $56. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία 25 million. Singapore purchased a total of 20 AH-64D Longbow Apache aircraft in two batches between 1999 and 2001. Singapore The United Arab Emirates purchased a total of 30 AH-64A helicopters in 1991 and 1994, which they are now upgrading to AH-64D specification. ^[21] Kuwait has purchased 16 Longbow helicopters. ^[22] Other countries with the Apache include Egypt, Holland, Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia. ^[23]

Pakistan is thought to have ordered six Apache Longbow for its various anti-terrorism missions. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and ^[24][25][26]

South Korea is currently reviewing plans to purchase 36 AH-64D while simultaneously co-developing a domestic attack helicopter, the Korean Attack Helicopter, (KAH) under the KAH program with partnership from Eurocopter, which will be based on the Eurocopter Tiger. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː ^[27]

The Republic of China (Taiwan) plans to purchase 30 AH-64D from 2008 onwards for its Army. REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia. The Republic of China Army (中華民國陸軍 Pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó Lùjūn is the largest branches of the Armed forces of the Republic of ^[28]

India also issued a request for proposal for 22 attack helicopters for the Indian Air Force. The Apache Longbow is one of the three types competing in order to be supplied to the IAF in the future. [1]

Variants

AH-64A

The AH-64A is the original production attack helicopter. It is powered by two GE T700 turbo-shaft engines. The crew sit in tandem in an armored compartment.

The helicopter is armed with a 30 mm M230 chain gun that can be slaved to the gunner's helmet-mounted gunsight. The AH-64A carries a range of external stores on its stub-wing pylons, including a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, Hydra 70 general-purpose unguided 70 mm (2. The AGM-114 Hellfire is a multi-platform multi-target United States modular Missile system The Hydra 70 rocket is a weapon derived from the 275 inch (70 mm "Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket" ( Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket) developed by the U 75 in) rockets, and AIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles for defense. The AIM-92 Stinger or ATAS ( A ir T o A ir S tinger or ATAL is an Air-to-air missile developed from the shoulder-launched

AH-64B

In 1991 after Operation Desert Storm, the AH-64B was a proposed upgrade to 254 AH-64As. The upgrade included new rotor blades, a Global Positioning System (GPS), improved navigaton systems and new radios. Congress approved US$ 82 million to begin the Apache B upgrade. The B program was canceled in 1992. ^[2] The radio, navigation, and GPS modifications, would later be installed on most A-model Apaches as part of an upgrade program.

AH-64C

Additional funding from Congress in late 1991 resulted in a program to upgrade AH-64As to an AH-64B+ version. More funding changed the plan to upgrade to AH-64C. The C upgrade would include all changes to be included in the Longbow except for mast mounted radar and newer engines. However, after 1993, the C designation was dropped. ^[2]

The upgrades would go forward. However, since the only difference between the C model and the radar-equipped D model was the radar, which could be moved from one aircraft to another, a decision was made to not distinguish between the two versions, despite the presence or absence of the radar.

AH-64D

The advanced model, the AH-64D Apache Longbow, is equipped with an improved sensor suite and weapon systems. The key improvement over the A-variant is the AN/APG-78 Longbow dome installed over the main rotor which houses a millimeter-wave Fire Control Radar (FCR) target acquisition system as well as the Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI). Extremely high frequency is the highest Radio frequency band. A fire-control radar is a Radar which is designed specifically to provide information (mainly target azimuth elevation range and velocity to a Fire-control system The elevated position of the radome allows detection and (arcing) missile engagement of targets even when the helicopter itself is concealed by an obstacle (e. g. terrain, trees or buildings). Further, a radio modem integrated with the sensor suite allows a D-variant Apache to share targeting data with other AH-64Ds that do not have a line-of-sight to the target. Modem (from mo dulator- dem odulator is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode Digital information In this manner a group of Apaches can engage multiple targets but only reveal the radome of one D-variant Apache. Apaches that include all of the improvements of the Longbow Apache, with the exception of the Fire Control Radar are still designated as "AH-64D Apache Longbows", as the radome is removable and interchangeable between aircraft.

The aircraft was updated with more powerful T700-GE-701C engines, and a fully-integrated cockpit. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The forward fuselage of the aircraft was expanded to accommodate new systems. In addition, the aircraft receives improved survivability, communications, and navigation capabilities. Survivability is the ability to remain alive or continue to exist Communication is the process of conveying information from a sender to a receiver with the use of a medium in which the communicated information is understood the same way Navigation is the process of reading and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another Most existing capabilities of the AH-64A Apache are retained.

The first of the upgraded Block II Apaches was delivered to the US Army in February 2003. Block II includes upgrades to the digital communications systems to improve communications within the 'tactical internet'. ^[29]

Block III improvements, slated for 2008 onwards, include increasing digitization, the joint tactical radio system, enhanced engines and drive systems, capability to control UAVs, new composite rotor blade and landing gear upgrades. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV is an unpiloted Aircraft. UAVs can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic The new blades, which successfully completed flight testing in May 2004, increase the Apache's cruise speed, climb rate and payload capability. The Block III System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract was awarded to Boeing in July 2006. ^[29]

Export Apaches

A number of other models have been derived from both AH-64A and AH-64D for export. The British-built Westland WAH-64 Apache (assembled from kits purchased from Boeing) is based on the AH-64D with several different systems, including newer, more powerful engines. The Westland WAH-64 Apache is a licence-built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack helicopter for the British Army.

Sea Apache

A naval version of the AH-64A was proposed for the U. S. Marine Corps and U. S. Navy from 1984 to 1987. ^[3] Multiple concepts were studied with altered landing gear arrangements, improved avionics and weapons. ^[30] Funding for the naval version was not provided and the Marine Corps continues to use the AH-1 SuperCobra as of 2008. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. ^[3]

Operators

 Egypt

• Egyptian Air Force has 35 AH-64Ds. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. The Egyptian Air Force, or EAF (القوات الجوية المصرية) is the aviation branch of the Egyptian armed forces.

 Greece

• Hellenic Army has 20 AH-64As, 12 AH-64Da for a total of 32. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Mission The Hellenic Army's objective is to defend Greece's independence borders and terrain and also to guarantee the country's defense

 Israel

• Israeli Air Force has 37 AH-64As, and 11 AH-64Ds for a total of 48. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל

 Japan

• Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has ordered 55 AH-64DJPs. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The, or JGSDF, is the Military ground force ( Army) of Japan The largest of the three services of the JSDF, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates

 Kuwait

• Kuwait Air Force has 6 AH-64Ds. The State of Kuwait ( دولة الكويت IPA [dawlatt̪ alkuwajt̪]) is a sovereign Arab Emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed The Kuwait Air Force (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya is the air arm of the State of Kuwait.

 Netherlands

• Royal Netherlands Air Force received 30 AH-64Ds. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF, Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, is the aviation branch of the Netherlands armed forces ^[2] 29 AH-64Ds in service.

 Saudi Arabia

• Royal Saudi Air Force has 12 AH-64As. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi The Royal Saudi Air Force (القوات الجوية الملكية السعودية) is the Air force branch of Saudi Arabian armed forces.

 Singapore

• Republic of Singapore Air Force has 18 AH-64Ds. Singapore

 United Arab Emirates

• United Arab Emirates Air Force has 12 AH-64As, and 14 AH-64Ds for a total of 26. The United Arab Emirates Air Force ( UAEAF) is the air force of the United Arab Emirates.

 United States

• United States Army has 104 AH-64As, and 639 AH-64Ds for a total of 743. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities.

Specifications (AH-64A)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2: pilot, CPG (co-pilot/gunner)
• Length: 58. 17 ft (17. 73 m) (with both rotors turning)
• Rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14. 63 m)
• Height: 12. 7 ft (3. 87 m)
• Disc area: 1,809. 5 ft² (168. 11 m²)
• Empty weight: 11,387 lb (5,165 kg)
• Loaded weight: 18,000 lb (8,000 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 21,000 lb (9,500 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× General Electric T700-GE-701 and later upgraded to T700-GE-701C & T700-GE-701D (1990-today) turboshafts, -701: 1,690 shp, -701C: 1,890 shp -701D 2,000 shp (-701: 1,260 kW, -701C: 1,490 kW) each
• Fuselage length: 49 ft 5 in (15. The Maximum Takeoff Weight or Maximum Takeoff Mass of an Aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot of the aircraft is allowed to attempt to take off WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A turboshaft engine is a form of Gas turbine which is optimized to produce Shaft power, rather than Jet thrust. 06 m)
• Rotor systems: 4 blade main rotor, 4 blade tail rotor in non-orthogonal alignment^[31]

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 197 knots (227 mph, 365 km/h)
• Maximum speed: 158 knots (182 mph, 293 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 143 knots (165 mph, 265 km/h)
• Combat radius: 260 nm (300 mi, 480 km)
• Ferry range: 1,024 nm (1,180 mi, 1,900 km)
• Service ceiling 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
• Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (12. In Aviation, V-speeds or Velocity-speeds are standard terms used to define Airspeeds important or useful to the operation of Aircraft, such In Aviation, V-speeds or Velocity-speeds are standard terms used to define Airspeeds important or useful to the operation of Aircraft, such In Aviation, V-speeds or Velocity-speeds are standard terms used to define Airspeeds important or useful to the operation of Aircraft, such For Aircraft, ferry range means the maximum range the aircraft can fly In Aeronautics, a ceiling is the maximum Density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditions In Aerodynamics, the rate of climb RoC is the speed at which an Aircraft increases its Altitude. 7 m/s)
• Disc loading: 9. 80 lb/ft² (47. 90 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0. Power-to-weight ratio (specific power is a calculation commonly applied to Engines and other mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another 18 hp/lb (310 W/kg)

Armament

• Guns: 1× M230 30 mm (1. The Hughes M230 Chain Gun is a 30mm single-barrel Automatic cannon developed by Hughes and now manufactured by Alliant Techsystems. 18 in) cannon, 1,200 rounds
• Rockets: Hydra 70 FFAR rockets
• Missiles: combination of AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-92 Stinger, AIM-9 Sidewinder

See also

• United States Army Aviation and Missile Command
• U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems
  

Related development

• Westland WAH-64 Apache
  

Comparable aircraft

• Agusta A129 Mangusta
• Eurocopter Tiger
• Kamov Ka-50
• Mil Mi-24
• Mil Mi-28
• Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
• CAIC WZ-10
• HAL Light Combat Helicopter
  

Related lists

• List of attack aircraft
• List of helicopters
• List of active military aircraft of the United States
• List of aviation accidents and incidents during the Iraq War
  

Notes

External links

• AH-64 Apache US Army fact file
• AH-64 Apache page on Boeing.com
• Jane's AH-64 page
• AH-64 Peten (Israeli Air Force web page)
• AH-64 page on GlobalSecurity.com
• Apache description on army-technology.com
• AH-64D Apache Longbow on AusAirPower.net
• Apache page on AviationExplorer.com
• Boeing AH-64 Apache on Vectorsite.net
• Apache overview with supporting images on HowStuffWorks.com
• Apache Helicopter Acoustic Analysis
• Boeing eyes X-49A technology for Apache attack helicopter
• Making of AH-64D Apache at YouTube

The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees

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