AH-64 Apache
IOC: 1984
Total Production: 1,900
Block III AH-64D Apache Longbow
Maiden Flight: Friday, July 11, 2008
IOC: October 2011
Production: 669
Unitary Cost: USD$14.0 million
Total Cost: USD$9.0 billion
Also Known As
AB3
Origin
United States of America
Program Status:
Under Development
Contractor/s
Boeing
Family Members
AH-64A Apache
AH-64D Apache
AH-64D Apache Longbow
Guided Missiles:
AGM-114A Hellfire (16)
AGM-114B Hellfire (16)
AGM-114C Hellfire (16)
AGM-114F Hellfire (16)
AGM-114K Hellfire II (16)
AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire (16)
SAM & ABM Missiles:
FIM-92 Stinger (4)
FIM-92 Stinger-RMP (4)
Power plant:
T700-GE-701D (2)
Sensors & Communications:
AN/APG-78
AN/APR-48A RFI
Arrowhead
Guns & Missile Launchers:
M230 Chain Gun
M299 (4)
Protection Systems:
AN/ALQ-136
AN/ALQ-211 SIRFC
DASS
|
Description:
The AH-64 Apache is a twin-turbine engine, armored, attack helicopter was designed to defeat the most advanced main battle tanks at standoff ranges. It employs a combination of advanced sensors and Hellfire anti-tank missiles (up to 16), as well as a 30mm nose-mounted M230 chain gun (1,200 rounds) and 70mm (up to 76) unguided rockets. It is capable of operation at night, in darkness, and in adverse weather, even in presence of obscurants. The M230 chain gun fires M788 30mm target practice rounds and M848 30mm dummy ammunition during training.
In 1991 the AH-64As played a vital role destroying Iraqi armored battle tanks stationary and moving. They were deployed for the first time in Panama during operation Just Cause in 1989 and subsequently in other military campaigns with less impact than during the Gulf War. Recently, during operation Iraqi Freedom they provided close air support to American armored units while they were deploying throughout Iraq.
The AH-64D Apache Longbow is the last improved derivative of the combat-proven AH-64A Apache attack helicopter. The Longbow radar is the only difference between the AH-64D and the Apache Longbow helicopter. It features 400% more lethality over current AH-64As, 720% more survivable, can hit moving and stationary targets in presence of obscurants when optical systems are rendered ineffective, can use multiple sensors, the Longbow radar detects and classifies up to 128 targets prioritizing the 16 most dangerous of them, and only needs 3.4 hours-man of maintenance per flight hour. It is compatible with the digitized battlefield of the 21st century.
Following the RAH-66 Comanche cancellation in February 2004, the US Army selected the Apache as the attack helicopter for the objective force associated with the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. This decision will keep the Apache Longbow in active service for the next three decades. The next round of Apache enhancements, sometimes referred to as Block III, will include a new composite rotor blade, JTRS radio system, improved drive system, and cognitive decision-aiding software.
The Block III AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopter Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) contract was signed on 28 June 2005 in Washington D.C.; Huntsville, Alabama; and Mesa, Arizona. Follow-on engineering and production contracts were anticipated by the US Army. Production of new Block III Apaches was planned to begin by 2010 when the current Apache models production work will expire.
Overall, Block III Apache is a combination of 25 technologies aimed at enhancing crew effectiveness in battle while reducing operations and support costs. Those technologies insertion will provide Network-Centric warfare capabilities in the multi-role combat helicopter for the Army's future force. To enable battlespace dominance, the program will incorporate open systems architecture, wideband network communications, extended range sensing, level IV unmanned aerial vehicle control, extended range fire control radar, extended range missiles, and data fusion to merge off- and on-board sensor imagery.
In addition, the Block III Apache Longbow will interface with Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and Future Combat Systems with a fully compatible and rapidly reconfigurable open systems architecture mission processor design. Other key benefits to the US Army include a reduced logistics footprint, and improved readiness and deployability.
In July 2006, the US Army and Boeing signed a $619 million contract covering Block III AH-64D Apache Longbow program System Development and Demonstration (SDD). Under the terms of the SDD contract the US Army will see the first production Block III Apache in 2011.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 2
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 30 mm
Dimensions: Height 5.0 m, Length 17.7 m, Main Rotor Diameter 14.6 m, Width 5.2 m
Weights: Max Weight 7,530 kg (16,601 lb)
Performance: Endurance 3 hours, Max Range 483 km (261 nm), Top Speed 74 mps (265 kph)
Power: Power 3,780 shp
Other: Main Rotor Blades 4, Number of Engines 2
|
Taiwan / 30 / 
United States of America / 639 / 