The AH-64 Apache is the primary helicopter gunship of the United States Army. When it was developed, it was designed to halt a Soviet armor advance into Western Europe. Several features were built into the airframe which greatly increase pilot and aircraft survivability.
The AH-64 is flown and cooked by a crew of two. The pilot and co-pilot sit in tandem with the pilot sitting in the rear cockpit which is slightly above the co-pilot / gunner. Both cockpits are enclosed by a titanium tub which is able to withstand hits from rounds up to 23mm in size.
The Apache is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines which produce 1890 shaft horsepower each. This gives the helicopter a top speed of 160 kts (185 mph) but more importantly the Apache is able to operate in hot / high conditions such as the mountains of Afghanistan and Iraq where every extra bit of extra power is appreciated.
The helicopter is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra which was developed during Vietnam and has seen action in numerous conflicts. It's more heavily armed than the Cobra and is capable of carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra rockets, AIM 92 Stinger missiles, AIM 9L Sidewinder missiles as well as its M23 30mm chain gun which is capable of penetrating main battle tank armor.
The AH-64 is able to self deploy by attaching four 230 gallon fuel tanks. A more likely scenario although the helicopter being airlifted by a C-5, C-17, C-141 or being delivered by sea-lift.
Once in theater the Apache is able to operate through out the entire area of responsibility and is able to operate day and night in most weather conditions.
One of the greatest advances from the AH-1 Cobra to the AH-64 Apache is the avionics package especially the targeting and navigation ability of the helicopter.
The crew uses a Target Aquisition Desigination Sight (TADS) and a Pilot Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) to navigate to, target and attack the enemy. These systems receive targeting data from the following three sensors:
- Day TV-Shows images in black and white. Used during the daytime when low light levels are present.
- TADS / FLIR- Shows thermal images that are able to be magnified. Used during day, night, and adverse weather conditions
- DVO- Shows full color images that can be magnified. Used during daylight and dusk conditions.
The Apache is also able to use the terrain to its advantage. The crew is able to hover below the treeline, or behind a hill to mask the helicopter. They also use Nap Of The Earth (NOE) flight to further reduce the possibility of detection.
The Apache is a very capable helicopter and gives the United States Army a potent weapon not only in the fight against terrorism but also against more conventional foes.