AH-64 Apache

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 Boeing AH-64 Apache

Type Attack helicopter

Manufacturer Hughes, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing

Maiden flight 1975-09-30

Status Active service

Primary user United States Army

Produced 1984-1996
[1]
Number built 1,048
[1]
Unit cost US$18 million (1984)

Variants Westland WAH-64 Apache

The Boeing AH-64 Apache is the United States Army's principal attack helicopter, and is the successor
to the AH-1 Cobra.
History
The United States Army issued a request for proposals (RFP) in 1972 for an Advanced Attack
Helicopter (AAH). From an initial list of 5 manufacturers, Boeing-Vertol, Bell, Hughes, Lockheed, and
Sikorsky, the finalists selected were Hughes Aircraft's Toolco Aircraft Division (later Hughes
Helicopters) and Bell. Hughes' Model 77/YAH-64 was selected over Bell's Model 409/YAH-63 in
1976. First flight of a development prototype occurred on September 30, 1975 but it was not until 1982
that a production contract was signed. In 1983 the first production helicopter was rolled out at Hughes
Helicopter's facility at Mesa, Arizona. In 1984 Hughes Helicopters was purchased by McDonnell
Douglas for $500 million. Hughes later became part of The Boeing Company with the merger of Boeing
and McDonnell Douglas in August 1997.

Features

Royal Netherlands Air Force AH-64A at the Farnborough Air Show, 2006.

Two major models of AH-64 Apache are in service in the US Army; AH-64A and AH-64D. An AH-
64B variant was designed for naval operation (Marine Corps), but never manufactured.[citation needed]
When development of the D model started, the corresponding radarless version initially had the
designation AH-64C. 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, irrespective of the presence or absence of the radar. A number of
other models have been derived from both AH-64A and AH-64D for export. The British-built Westland
WAH-64 (assembled from kits purchased from Boeing) is based on the AH-64D with several different
systems, including newer engines.
Built to endure front-line environments, it can operate during the day or night and in adverse weather
using the integrated helmet and display sight system. The Apache is also equipped with some of the
latest avionics and electronics, such as the Target Acquisition and Designation System, Pilot Night
Vision System (TADS/PNVS), Black Hole passive infrared countermeasures, nap-of-the-earth (sic)
navigation, and GPS.

Hydra 70 and AGM-114 Hellfire

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.
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. In this manner a group of Apaches can engage
multiple targets but only reveal the radome of one D-variant Apache.

Also, the aircraft was updated with T700-GE-701C engines, and a fully-integrated cockpit. In addition,
the aircraft receives improved survivability, communications, and navigation capabilities. Most existing
capabilities of the AH-64A Apache are retained.
 Apache Longbow with a new smaller radar on the ILA airshow 2006

Combat operations
United States

The Apache was first used in combat during the 1989 invasion of Panama, Operation Just Cause.
Apache AH-64 and AH-64Ds 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
Apaches were proven to be excellent tank hunters and also destroyed hundreds of armored vehicles
(mainly of the Iraqi army).

During Operation Desert Storm, nine AH-64s carrying an asymmetrical load of Hydra 70 flechette
rockets, Hellfires, and one auxiliary fuel tank each, and guided by four MH-53 Pave Lows, were used to
destroy a portion of the Iraqi radar network to allow bomber aircraft into Iraq without detection. This
was the first attack of Desert Storm.

Recent reports indicate that the helicopter is vulnerable to ground forces in certain environments.
Operation Enduring Freedom witnessed as high as 80% of Apaches badly damaged by ground fire in
mountainous regions with dispersed enemy forces. Similarly, the Apache has been shown to be
vulnerable to infantry when operating in urban terrain. During the Second Gulf War, Iraqi ground troops
and insurgents were able to damage propulsion and flight control systems with ground-fire, sometimes
forcing the helicopters to make immediate emergency landings. During the Operation Iraqi Freedom,
some Apaches were damaged in urban combat areas including one captured near Karbala by Iraqi troops
in March of 2003 and paraded on Iraqi television. The captured helicopter was destroyed via airstrike
the day after it was captured. [2]
 US Army AH-64D provides air support during raid in Remagen, Iraq, Feb. 24, 2006.

There are various factors that contribute to these occurrences. First, Apaches were designed to engage
and destroy armor at safe ranges, where they could not be fired upon. Secondly, infantry are less easily
detected than armor. In Iraq, the close-quarters, and ample cover afforded by the urban environment
make it easy for ground forces to attack at close ranges (50 - 850 m). This environment brought out the
Apache's vulnerability to close range attacks from heavy caliber machine guns (0.5 inch). Also, since the
Apache is only capable of firing at a single target at a time, it is vulnerable when attacked from several
dispersed positions. Combat utility helicopters like the UH-60 Black Hawk may not suffer this
disadvantage, as they have multiple manned side armaments, adding extra protection in certain tactical
situations. However, the relative effectiveness of utility helicopters is debatable when taking into
account other factors like the Apache's superior maneuverability, armament, and speed. In either case,
the Apache's use in both attack and support roles in urban environments has proven effective. Apaches
have been successful working in support roles with ground troops, and as an observation platform for
directing artillery. Despite the Apache's vulnerability in urban operations, it is currently rated as the
most survivable of all military helicopters. 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.[citation needed]

Israel

The Israeli Air Force uses the Apaches as a high-tech platform to perform strikes with guided missiles
against various targets. The AH-64A attacked and destroyed dozens of Hezbollah outposts in Lebanon
during the 1990s, attacking in many weather conditions - day and night. 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. In the Israel-Lebanon conflict of July-August 2006, two IDF AH-64A helicopters
collided, killing 1 pilot and wounding 3, all critically. In another incident in the conflict, IDF AH-64D
Longbow crashed - Hezbollah claims to have shot it down, killing the two pilots. The IAF denies this.
The cause is under investigation.[3]
United Kingdom

The UK licences the Apache design resulting in the Westland WAH-64 Apache of which 67 have been
built. They replace the Lynx Helicopter as the British Army's tactical attack helicopter. They are
currently deployed in Afghanistan.[1]

Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Air Force ordered 30 AH-64D Apaches in 1996.[2] Their first deployment was in
Djibouti, Africa. They were also deployed alongside US AH-64s in support of NATO peacekeeping
forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2004 Dutch AH-64s have been deployed as part of the Netherlands
contribution to Multinational force in Iraq.[3] In February 2006, the Netherlands contribution to NATO
forces in Afghanistan was increased from 600 to 1,400 and 6 AH-64s were sent in support. [4]

Cost and users

AH-64A at the Farnborough Air Show, 2006.

The original unit cost for the AH-64A was about US$14.5 million. 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 $56.25
million. Singapore purchased a total of 20 AH-64D Longbow Apache aircraft in two batches between
1999 and 2001. Pakistan is thought to have ordered 6 Apache Longbow for its various anti-terrorism
missions; unofficial reports suggest that the Pakistan Army has a requirement of up to 30 AH-64D
Apache Longbow by 2010.

In addition to the U.S., Greece, and Singapore, countries which use the Apache include Japan, Egypt,
the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Israel, South Korea, Bahrain, and
Jordan. (As of 2006, the latter three countries do not own any Apache helicopters.)

The United Kingdom is using 67 Westland WAH-64 Apaches which will operate alongside amphibious
forces as necessary and have a folding blade assembly for carrier operations. Taiwan and Pakistan have
also considered procuring the AH-64D.
Specifications (AH-64)

[1]
Data from Jane's Air Forces

General characteristics

 Crew: 2: one pilot, one CPG (co-pilot/gunner)

 Length: 58.17 ft (17.73 m)
 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 (A-model, 23,000 lb maximum for D-model)
(9,525 kg)
 Powerplant: 2× General Electric T700 turboshafts, 1,690 shp (1890 for -C)
(1,261 kW, 1410 -C) each

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 (12.7 m/s)
 Disc loading: 9.80 lb/ft² (47.90 kg/m²)
 Power/mass: 0.18 lb/hp (310 W/kg)

Armament

 Guns: 1× M230 30 mm (1.18 in) cannon, 1,200 rounds

 Missiles: combination of AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-92 Stinger, AIM-9
Sidewinder, Hydra 70 FFARockets