Helicopter Profile: Boeing AH-64 Apache

The Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is the principal attack helicopter of the United States Army, and successor to the AH-1 Cobra. The Apache is currently in active service with 10 nations, including Israel, Japan and the United Kingdom (built under license as the Westland WAH-64 Apache).

Designed by Hughes Helicopters in response to the US Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) program in 1972, the four bladed AH-64A won the army's AAH competition in 1976, with the first production Apache being rolled out in 1983. Purchased by McDonnell Douglas in 1984, continued development of the AH-64 has resulted in the AH-64D Longbow, which is now produced by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

Powered by two General Electric T700-701D turboshaft engines, the Apache has a cruise speed of 284kph (153kts) and a maximum range of 1,900 km (1,024nm), however its most impressive asset is its weaponry. A combination of laser-guided AIM-114 Hellfire, AIM-92 Stinger and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, 70mm unguided rockets and a 30mm chain gun aligned to the AH-64D's radar giving it the ability to classify and prioritise up to 128 targets in less than a minute make the Apache a truly formidable weapon.

The AH-64Ds key improvement, its AN/APG-78 Longbow dome, installed over the main rotor, houses a millimeter-wave Fire Control Radar target acquisition system as well a Radar Frequency Interferometer. The elevated position of this radome allows detection and missile engagement of targets, even when the helicopter itself is concealed by an obstacle. Furthermore, a radio modem integrated with the sensor suite allows D-variant Apaches 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.

Did you know?

The Apache was first used in combat during the 1989 invasion of Panama (Operation Just Cause). The AH-64A and the AH-64D Longbow have played important roles in several Middle Eastern wars, including the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Apache has proven to be an excellent hunter of tanks and armoured vehicles (mainly of the Iraqi army).