AH-64 Apache Longbow
                                      

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AH-64 Apachi Longbow

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The first AH-64D Apache Longbows for the U.S. Army were delivered in 1997. The first AH-64D for the Royal Netherlands Air Force was delivered in June while the first  WAH-64 for the United Kingdom was delivered in September.

The Apache Longbow is the only combat helicopter in service with the ability to rapidly detect, classify, prioritize and engage stationary or moving enemy targets at standoff ranges in near all weather environments. The Apache Longbow gives combat pilots an unmatched advantage over enemy threats through the integration of the Longbow fire control radar, advanced Hellfire
missiles, and an advanced avionics suite.

The first six production Apache Longbows were flown to Fort Hood, Texas, in April aboard a C-5A transport aircraft during a mission that demonstrated the Army's ability to rapidly deploy large numbers of the next-generation combat
helicopter. The Army unveiled the Apache Longbows to the public in June during a formal arrival ceremony.

The first fully equipped U.S. Army unit with AH-64D Apache Longbows, the 1-227th Attack Battalion, became the Army's first combat-ready Apache Longbow unit in November. The unit also became the first to field the Interactive
Electronic Technical Manual, a revolutionary Class IV computerized data storage system that eliminates the need for paper technical manuals.

The Boeing Company is under contract with the U.S. Army to produce 232 Apache Longbows over the next three years. The multi-year contract with the U.S. Army is saving millions of dollars over its term and is giving the U.S. Army
more aircraft compared to single-year funding over the same period. With the savings realized under the multi-year contract, the Army will field 48 additional aircraft, or two combat-ready Apache Longbow battalions.

In addition to its contract with the U.S. Army, Boeing will produce 30 AH-64D Apaches for The Netherlands and, with teammate GKN Westland, will build 67 WAH-64 Apaches for the United Kingdom

Apache Longbow Field Tests Validate Performance

To validate the Apache Longbow capabilities, Boeing built six prototypes: four equipped with the advanced Longbow fire control radar system, and two without the radar.

All six prototypes flew on or ahead of schedule and demonstrated the advanced capabilities of the improved Apache aircraft.
During U.S. Army's Force XXI field exercises in 1996 at Fort Irwin, Calif., two Apache Longbow aircraft put on a tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) clinic in the California desert. Key U.S. Army officers characterized the
Apache Longbow's performance as "the quintessential example" of how the U.S. Army will dominate the digital battlefield of the 21st century.

In earlier Army operational tests, held in 1995, six Apache Longbow prototypes competed against standard AH-64A Apaches. The threat array developed to test the combat capabilities of the two Apache designs was a postulated 2004 lethal and digitized force consisting of heavy armor, air defense and countermeasures. The tests clearly demonstrated that Apache
Longbows:
 

bulletAre 400 percent more lethal (hitting more targets) than the AH-64A, already the most capable and advanced armed helicopter in the world to enter service.
bulletAre 720 percent more survivable than the AH-64A.
bulletMeet or exceed Army requirements for both target engagement range and for probability of acquiring a selected target. The specific requirements and results are classified.
bulletCan easily hit moving and stationary targets on an obscured battlefield at maximum range, when optical systems are rendered ineffective.
bulletCan use either its Target Acquisition Designation Sight or fire control radar as a targeting sight, offering increased battlefield flexibility.
bulletHave the ability to initiate the radar scan, detect and classify more than 128 targets, prioritize the 16 most dangerous targets, transmit the information to other aircraft, and initiate a precision attack -- all in fewer than 30 seconds.
bulletRequire one third less maintenance man-hours (3.4) per flight hour than the requirement.
bulletAre meeting a 91 percent readiness rate -- 11 percentage points more than the requirement.
bulletAH-64D Apache Longbows have greater weapons accuracy at longer ranges and have the ability to fight more effectively at night and in virtually any weather. The Apache Longbow's advanced communications and combat capabilities gives battlefield commanders the ability to more effectively manage the 21st century battlefield.

AH-64D Apache

All next-generation Apaches have the designation AH-64D. Without the radar, the aircraft is the AH-64D Apache. Equipped with radar, the aircraft is the AH-64D Apache Longbow.

The first AH-64Ds - with radar - were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1997. The first AH-64D for the Royal Netherlands Air Force was delivered in June 1998 while the first  WAH-64 for the United Kingdom was delivered in September
1998.

Like its predecessor, the AH-64D carries a lethal array of missiles and rockets, and 1,200 rounds of ammunition for its 30mm M230 automatic cannon, which is produced by The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz., at the same facility
where the Apache is assembled, flight tested and delivered.

Its ability to communicate digitally with other aircraft and ground forces, and to share that information almost instantly, give the AH-64D a significant advantage over current combat helicopters and will enable it to dominate the
21st century battlefield.

The multi-year contract with the U.S. Army is saving millions of dollars over its term and is giving the U.S. Army more aircraft compared to single-year funding over the same period. With the savings realized under the multi-year
contract, the Army will field 48 additional aircraft, or two combat-ready Apache Longbow battalions.

The contract also includes funding for Boeing to train pilots and maintenance personnel for the first two equipped units, development of interactive electronic technical manuals, development of training devices, initial
testing of the production aircraft, initial spares, and a variety of program support tasks for the first production lot. A training center has been established at Boeing's Mesa facility. During the first full year of operation in Mesa, Army and Boeing personnel trained more than 250 Apache pilots and maintainers.

As of July 1999, the company had delivered 94 next-generation Apaches, including  82 AH-64D Apache Longbows to the U.S. Army, seven AH-64D Apaches to The Netherlands, and five WAH-64 Apache Longbow to GKN Westland
Helicopters for the United Kingdom. To validate the AH-64D's capabilities, Boeing built six prototypes: four
equipped with the advanced Longbow fire control radar system, and two without the radar.

All six prototypes flew on or ahead of schedule and demonstrated the advanced capabilities of the improved Apache aircraft.

During U.S. Army's Force XXI field exercises in 1996 at Fort Irwin, Calif., two AH-64D Apache Longbow aircraft put on a tactics, techniques and procedures clinic in the California desert. Key U.S. Army officers characterized the Apache Longbow's performance as "the quintessential example" of how the U.S. Army will dominate the digital battlefield of the
21st century.

AH-64A Apache

The AH-64A Apache, widely recognized as the most advanced, combat-proven attack helicopter in the world for the past decade, is the predecessor of today's unmatched AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-mission combat helicopter.

The Boeing Company produced the AH-64A in Mesa, Ariz., until 1997 when production in Mesa transitioned to the next-generation AH-64D Apache and AH-64D Apache Longbow. Some 900 AH-64As are in service worldwide for the U.S.
Army and five international customers.

Until fielding of the Apache Longbow, the versatile twin-turbine engine, 225-mph Apache was the only combat helicopter in the world capable of routine operations in daytime or darkness and nearly all bad weather. The Apache uses laser, infrared and other high technology systems - like the Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision System - to find, track and
attack armored and other targets.

Armed with 16 laser-guided precision Hellfire missiles, 76 70mm rockets, or combination of both, and a 30mm automatic cannon with up to 1200 rounds of high explosive dual purpose ammunition, the AH-64A was developed for the U.S.
Army to help counter a numerical advantage in Warsaw Pact armored forces.

U.S. Army Apache helicopters played a key role in the 1989 action in Panama, where much of its activity was at night, when the AH-64's advanced sensors and sighting systems were effective against anti-government forces.

Apache helicopters also played a major role in the liberation of Kuwait, destroying vital early warning radar sites, an action that opened the U.N. coalition's battle plan.    During Operation Desert Storm, AH-64As were credited with destroying more than 500 tanks plus hundreds of additional armored personnel carriers, trucks and other vehicles.

Apaches also demonstrated the ability to perform when called upon, logging thousands of combat hours at readiness rates in excess of 85 percent during the Gulf War. The AH-64A's advanced sensors and sighting systems proved
effective in removing the cover of darkness from opposing forces.

AH-64A Apaches also have helped keep the peace in Bosnia and have been called into service in Albania by the U.S. Army.

The Army also has fielded combat-ready AH-64A units in the United States, Germany and in Korea, where they play a major role in achieving the U.S. Army's security missions.

Army National Guard units in North and South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Utah and Idaho also fly Apache helicopters.

The Boeing Company delivered 937 AH-64A Apaches - 821 to the U.S. Army and 116 to international customers, including Egypt, Greece, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - between 1984 and 1997.
 

Apachi Longbow Specifications.
 

Length:  58.17 ft (17.73 m)   
Height:  16.25 ft (4.95 m)   
Wing Span: 17.15 ft (5.227 m)   
 Primary Mission Gross Weight  16,601 lb (7530 kg)  
   Standard Day Hot Day ISA + 15C° 
Hover In-Ground Effect (MRP) 13,690 ft (4172 m)  12,290 ft (3745 m) 
Hover Out-of-Ground Effect (MRP) 9,480 ft (2889 m) 7,960 ft (2427 m)
  Sea Level Standard Day Hot Day 2070 ft (610 m) 
Vertical Rate of Climb (MRP) 1,475 fpm (450 mpm) 1,255 fpm (383 mpm)
Maximum Rate of Climb (IRP) 2,415 fpm (737 mpm) 2,370 fpm (723 mpm)
Maximum Level Flight Speed 141 kt (262 kph) 143 kt (265 kph)
Cruise Speed (MCP) 141 kt (262 kph) 143 kt (265 kph) 

   
    
    
    

AH-64A Specifications
 
 

Length:  58.17 ft (17.73 m)   
Height: 15.24 ft (4.64 m)  
Wing Span: 17.15 ft (5.227 m)  
Primary Mission Gross Weight  15,075 lb (6838 kg)  
  Standard Day  Hot Day ISA + 15C° 
Hover In-Ground Effect (MRP) 15,895 ft (4845 m)  14,845 ft (4525 m) 
Hover Out-of-Ground Effect (MRP) 12,685 ft (3866 m)  11,215 ft (3418 m)
  Sea Level Standard Day Hot Day 2000 ft 70 F° (21 C°) 
Vertical Rate of Climb (MRP) 2,175 fpm (663 mpm) 2,050 fpm (625 mpm)
Maximum Rate of Climb (IRP) 2,915 fpm (889 mpm)  2,890 fpm (881 mpm)
Maximum Level Flight Speed 150 kt (279 kph) 153 kt (284 kph)
Cruise Speed (MCP) 150 kt (279 kph) 153 kt (284 kph)
     

 
  
AH-64D Specifications
 
 

Length:  58.17 ft (17.73 m)   
Height: 13.30 ft (4.05 m)  
Wing Span: 17.15 ft (5.227 m)  
Primary Mission Gross Weight  16,027 lb (7270 kg)  
  Standard Day  Hot Day Lot 1 Weight  ISA + 15 C° 
Hover In-Ground Effect (MRP) 14,650 ft (4465 m) 13,350 ft (4068 m) 
Hover Out-of-Ground Effect (MRP) 10,520 ft (3206 m) 9,050 ft (2759 m)
  Sea Level Standard Day Hot Day 2000 ft 70 F° (21 C°) 
Vertical Rate of Climb (MRP) 1,775 fpm (541 mpm) 1,595 fpm (486 mpm) 
Maximum Rate of Climb (IRP) 2,635 fpm (803 mpm) 2,600 fpm (793 mpm)
Maximum Level Flight Speed 147 kt (273 kph) 149 kt (276 kph) 
Cruise Speed (MCP) 147 kt (273 kph) 149 kt (276 kph) 

 

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