Country of origin |
United States |
Entered service |
1986 |
Crew |
2 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
14.97 m |
Main rotor diameter |
14.63
m |
Height |
4.66
m |
Weight (empty) |
5.1 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
9.5 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
2 x General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshafts |
Engine power |
2 x 1 800 shp |
Maximum speed |
293 km/h |
Service ceiling |
6.4 km |
Range |
428 km |
Armament |
Cannon |
1 x 30 mm M230 cannon with 1 200 rounds |
Missiles |
16 x AGM-114A Hellfire anti-tank missiles,
optional AIM-9L, AIM-92A Stinger and Mistral air-to-air missiles, Sidearm
anti-radar missile |
Other |
19-shot pods with Hydra 70 unguided rockets |
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Designed in 1972 to
meet the US Army's need for an AAH (Advanced Attack Helicopter), the
AH-64A has taken over the mantle of the world's premier attack
helicopter from the Bell
AH-1 Cobra. The first Hughes YAH-64
prototype flew on 30 September 1975, the programme coming under the
jurisdiction of McDonnell Douglas from August 1985 and Boeing from
1997.
Features of the Apache include two T700 engines flat-rated to
provide high emergency power, with large Black Hole IR-suppressing
exhaust systems, a large flat-plate canopy with boran armour,
multi-spar stainless steel and glassfibre rotor blades designed to
withstand 23 mm hits, comprehensive avionics and weapon fits, and
numerous features to protect the crew, including crash-resistant
seats and an airframe designed to withstand ballistic impact from
guns up to 12.7 mm caliber.
The Apache's primary sensor is the
Martin Marietta TADS/PNVS (Target Acquisition and Designation
Sight/Pilot's Night Vision System) that combines a low-light level
TV, laser designator and FLIR (forward-looking infra-red). Both crew members use various
sophisticated sensors and systems for the detection and attack of
targets, including the IHADSS (Integrated Helmet And Display
Sighting System) which provides a monocular helmet-mounted
designator/sight.
Some 827 AH-64As were eventually procured by the
US Army and the helicopter entered service in July 1986. The
helicopter was first blooded in combat during Operation Just Cause
over Panama in December 1989, and went on to serve with devastating
effect during the 1991 Gulf War - Apaches fired the first shots of
that short-lived conflict. AH-64As have been exported to Egypt,
Greece, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Variants
AH-64N Sea
Apache, was a proposed navalized version of the Apache. This gunship
was intended to
operate on warships including amphibious assault ships. Though this variant
of the AH-64 Apache was ultimately never produced.
AH-64D is an upgraded version, also known as the Longbow Apache,
witted new fire control radar. This attack helicopter is compatible
with the newer
Hellfire 2
anti-tank guided missiles.
AH-64E,
also known as Apache Guardian, is the latest version of the Apache.
Until 2012 it was designated as AH-64D Block III. It has a number of
improvements and upgrades, including more powerful engines, upgraded
transmission and other improvements. This helicopter might be also
fitted with updated Longbow fire control radar. US armed forces plan
to upgrade a total of 634 AH-64D helicopters to AH-64E standard.
Deliveries began in 2011. This helicopter has been approved for
export. Export operators are Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. This
helicopter has been ordered by some other countries. India ordered
22 of these gunships, Indonesia 8, Iraq 24, and South Korea 36.
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