attack helicopter.
Designation: Boeing / McDonnell Douglas / Hughes AH-64 Apache / Apache
Longbow
Classification Type: Attack Helicopter
Contractor: Hughes / Boeing / McDonnell Douglas - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1984
Number Built: 1,200
Originally a Hughes-based design, the YAH-64 faced off against a Bell YAH-63
system in the United States Army's search for an advanced attack helicopter.
The system was to field the latest in technology, maneuverability and
battlefield survivability that was consistent with low-level, low-speed
warfare. The end result saw the YAH-64 coming out ahead, and plans were
underway to further develop the system as the principle attack helicopter of
the US Army. Initial units of the now-designated AH-64A "Apache" became
operational as frontline systems in 1986.
The base AH-64 was designed with crew survivability in mind featuring
anti-missile systems, specialized cockpit crew protection in the form of
Kevlar armor and bulletproof glass and a specially designed superstructure.
The short wingtip mounts offered up four original hardpoints to which the
Apache system could field the powerful and accurate Hughes AGM-114 anti-tank
missile. A total of sixteen of these could be carried on the underwing
hardpoints. To take on softer targets, the conventional Hydra 70 general
purpose rocket pod in various munition amounts and warhead types could be
fielded alongside the Hellfire. The later addition of wingtip mounts allowed
the system to field AIM-9 Sidewinder or AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles.
The system could also support the Sidearm anti-radiation anti-radar missile
air-to-surface missile. The primary standard armament of the Apache
consisted of the advanced chin-mounted Hughes M230 30mm chain gun with 1,200
rounds of ammunition setup that responded to the movements of the gunners
head-mounted helmet system through the IHADSS helmet sight system.
Traversing is limited to 11 degrees up, 60 degrees down and 100 degrees to
either side. The Apache is crewed by two personnel seated in tandem with the
gunner in front and the pilot seated in back.
Design of the Apache was conventional with the cockpit in a stepped
arrangement forward, the engines mounted high and to either side of the
center of the fuselage and wing stubs just underneath the powerplants. The
cockpit is designed flat glazed windows, crash supportive armored seating
and reinforced landing gear struts. Engines (AH-64D) were by General
Electric and featured the T700-GE-701C series turboshafts developing 1,890
shaft horsepower while driving a four blade main rotor and a four blade tail
rotor. The tail rotor in and "x" type arrangement sat on the port side of
the vertical tail fin. Landing gear were static with two main systems and a
tail wheel. Wire cutters to improve survivability at low level were added to
the top rear of the canopy, to each landing gear strut and one just forward
of the chin turret base underfuselage. A chaff/flare dispenser kit was added
to the aft portside of the tail assembly.
After spending some time deployed at home, the AH-64A set off for West
Germany in the first overseas deployment of the type. First combat
deployment was a short time later in 1989's Operation Just Cause concerning
Panama and was made by the 82nd Airborne. 1991 saw the AH-64A model series
deliver the opening salvos of action in Operation Desert Storm and later
taking part in the much publicized "100-hour" ground war following in which
some 500 enemy tanks were reportedly destroyed. Soon to follow were limited
deployments in the Bosnia / Kosovo affair and finally in Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
Based on lessons learned in the Gulf War of 1991, the AH-64A model was
followed by the proposed upgraded AH-64B series. This model sported a Global
Positioning System (GPS), improved communications and navigation and an all
new main rotor blade. Most of the A models were upgraded to this standard
despite funding being lost on the proposal in 1992. The AH-64C appeared
(sometimes referred to as AH-64B+) and featured much of the upgrades in
common with the succeeding "Longbow" version to follow, sans the
mast-mounted radar system and more powerful engines. An AH-64D model also
appeared but was very similar to the AH-64C series with the exception of
having a removable radar.
The definitive Apache became the AH-64D "Apache Longbow" model. This model
was distinguished by the noticeable mast-mounted AN/APG-78 Longbow radome
system above the main rotor. The Longbow radar is a millimeter wave radar
produced by Northrop Grumman and can guide the potent Hellfires through
radar seeking frequencies for an even more improved kill ratio. Of the
initial 800 or so AH-64A's produced for the US Army, no fewer than 500 were
updated to the Longbow standard. As it is mounted high on the design, the
Apache Longbow need only "peer" above the treeline to ascertain enemy
positions and potential targets. Target sharing was also a part of the
models new suite and allowed for multiple Apaches to "talk" to one another
despite one of the other not having a target locked on in its tracking
system.
The Apache Longbow featured an uprated General Electric powerplant in the
form of the T700-GE-701C series. Most all vital components were also updated
to increase the potency of the machine while at the same time improve the
crews survivability in the event of being fired upon, taking a direct hit or
having to make a crash landing. The Apache Longbow remains in frontline
active service and is seeing further enhancements and improvements made
through additional Block updates which include new rotors, more digital
automation integration with UAV battlefield elements.
The combat history of the AH-64 series as whole has been generally
acceptable. The system has shown an ability to take heavy damage and still
limp home for repairs. On occasion, a well placed hit has downed the mighty
bird several collision accidents were reported from time to time. On the
whole, the system has proven its worth in anti-tank combat and - despite its
1975-era upbringing - still remains one of the most potent attack
helicopters in service.
The British firm of Westland license-produced their own version of the
AH-64D Apache Longbow, maintaining most of the major characteristics of the
American type with addition of more powerful Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322
engines of 2,210 shaft horsepower. Israel represents another active user of
the Apache type and has operated the helicopter in countless sorties against
Hezbollah positions including direct missile strikes on top operatives.
Israel has fielded the Apache against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and
more recently in the 2006 summer war - also against Lebanon. Other operators
include The Netherlands, Singapore, Greece, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates. Planned usage of the weapon system is expected by Pakistan, Taiwan
and perhaps South Korea and India in the near future.
In any case, despite her twenty-plus years of active service, the Apache
series will still see operational status use for some time to come. Its
combination of mobility and firepower make it a top player on today's
battlefield. With improvements and complete digitization of systems, the
Apache will continually grow to play an expanded role in the new wireless
battlefield of tomorrow.
Variants
Model 77 - Hughes Developmental Designation
YAH-64 - Protoype Model Designation
AH-64A Apache - Initial production designation; Hellfire, Hydra and Stinger
support; General Electric T700-GE-701 turboshaft engines of 1,696 shaft
horsepower.
AH-64B Apache - Improved AH-64A Apache with GPS, improved navigation and
comm equipment; new rotor blades.
AH-64C Apache - Radar-less variant; Very similar to the "D" model; sometimes
noted as AH-64B+.
AH-64D Apache - Similar to AH-64C model with introduction of removable
radar.
AH-64D "Apache Longbow" - Updated engines (General Electric T700-GE-701C of
1,890 shaft horsepower); noticeable radome (Fire Control Radar - FCR -
target acquisition system) on top of main rotor mast; updated navigation and
comunications; improved crew survivability; integrated radio-based moden for
multiple target tracking; planned UAV support function; further systems
digitization.
WAH-64 Apache - British production model of AH-64D Apache Longbow models
under license from Boeing and manufactured through Westland.
"Sea Apache" - Proposed US Marine navalized version of land-based Apache
featuring specialized suite of weapons and avionics systems; redesigned
landing gears; never ordered nor produced.
Ah-64DI "Saraph" - Israeli Apache Longbow Model
Specifications for the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow
Dimensions:
Length: 49.11ft (14.97m)
Width: 17.16ft (5.23m)
Height: 16.24ft (4.95m)
Performance: About MACH
Max Speed: 162mph (261kmh; 141kts)
Max Range: 1,181miles (1,900km)
Rate-of-Climb:2,415ft/min (736m/min)
Service Ceiling: 9,478ft (2,889m; 1.8miles)
Structure:
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 6 (including wingtip mounts)
Empty Weight: 11,799lbs (5,352kg)
MTOW: 22,282lbs (10,107kg)
Powerplant:
Engine(s): 2 x General Electric T700-GE-701C continuous rated turboshafts
developing 1,890shp and driving a four blade main and tail rotor.
Armament Suite:
1 x 30mm chain gun
Four underwing hardpoints and two wing stub endpoints for various mission
specific ordnance including:
16 x AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles
4 x Hydra-70 2.75in 7/14-Shot FFAR (Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket) rocket pods
4 x Hydra-70 2.75in 14-Shot FFAR (Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket) rocket pods
18 x Stinger AAM (Air-to-Air Missile) missiles
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM (Air-to-Air Missile) missiles
2 x Sidearm ARM (Anti-Radiation Missile) missiles
4 x Auxiliary Fuel Tanks
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