Hello and welcome to another episode of Military TV.
Today we are going to talk about an advanced multi-role combat helicopter, “AH-64 APACHE”.
The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas
(now Boeing). It was designed to be an extremely tough survivor under combat. The Apache prototype
made its first flight in 1975 as the YAH-64, and in 1982, the Army approved the program,
now known as AH-64A Apache, for production. Deliveries began from the McDonnell Douglas
plant at Mesa, Ariz, in 1984 the year Hughes Helicopters became part of McDonnell Douglas.
It is a quick-reacting, airborne weapon system that can fight close and deep to destroy, disrupt,
or delay enemy forces. The Apache is designed to fight and survive during the day, night,
and in adverse weather throughout the world. The principal mission of the Apache
is the destruction of high-value targets with the HELLFIRE missile.
It is also capable of employing a 30MM M230 chain gun and Hydra 70 or 2.75 inch rockets
that are lethal against a wide variety of targets. It also has a full range of aircraft survivability
equipment and has the ability to withstand hits from rounds up to 23MM in critical areas.
The question is How powerful are Apache helicopters?
Keep watching this video until the end, so you will find the answer.
First of all, let's see the capabilities of this advanced helicopter.
The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter designed as a
highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform. It is designed to fight and survive during the day,
night, and in adverse weather throughout the world. With a tandem-seated crew consisting
of the pilot, located in the rear cockpit position and the co-pilot gunner (CPG),
located in the front position, the Apache is self-deployable, highly survivable and delivers
a lethal array of battlefield armaments. In addition, the Apache features a Target
Acquisition Designation Sight (TADS) and a Pilot Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) which enables the crew
to navigate and conduct precision attacks in day, night and adverse weather conditions.
Furthermore, in the weapons side, the Apache can carry up to 16 Hellfire laser designated missiles.
With a range of over 8000 meters, the Hellfire is used primarily for the destruction of tanks,
armored vehicles and other hard material targets.
The Apache can also deliver 76, 2.75" folding fin aerial rockets for use against enemy personnel,
light armor vehicles and other soft-skinned targets. Rounding out the Apache's deadly
punch are 1,200 rounds of ammunition for its Area Weapons System (AWS), 30MM Automatic Gun.
Now let's talk about its engine and performance The Apache is powered by two General Electric gas
turbine engines rated at 1890 shaft horsepower each, the Apache's maximum gross weight is
17,650 pounds which allows for a cruise airspeed of 145 miles per hour
and a flight endurance of over three hours. While its performance, the AH-64 Apache can
climb at a rate of 889m/min. The maximum and cruise speeds of the helicopter are 279km/h
and 260km/h respectively. The ferry range and service ceiling of the helicopter are 1,900km
and 6,400m respectively. The endurance is 3 hours 9 minutes. The helicopter weighs around 5,165kg,
while the maximum take-off weight is 10,433kg. Moreover, the Apache can be configured with an
external 230-gallon fuel tank to extend its range on attack missions, or it can
be configured with up to four 230-gallon fuel tanks for ferrying or self-deployment missions.
The combat radius of the AH-64 is approximately 150 kilometers.
The combat radius with one external 230-gallon fuel tank installed is
approximately 300 kilometers and The AH-64 is air transportable in the C-5, C-141 and C-17.
Another sophistication of the Apache is,
it has state of the art optics that provide the capability to select from three different target
acquisition sensors. These sensors are:  Day TV. Views images during day
and low light levels, black and white.  TADS FLIR. Views thermal images, real world and
magnified, during day, night and adverse weather.  DVO. Views real world, full color,
and magnified images during daylight and dusk conditions.
Besides sensors, the Apache has four articulating weapons pylons,
two on either side of the aircraft, on which weapons or external fuel tanks can be mounted. The
aircraft has a LRF/D, this is used to designate for the Hellfire missile system as well as provide
range to target information for the fire control computer's calculations of ballistic solutions.
After we all know about its sophistication, it's time to see 8 variants of the helicopter:
#1 we have AH-64A The AH-64A is the
original production attack helicopter. The crew sit in tandem in an armored compartment.
It is powered by two GE T700 turboshaft engines. The A-model was equipped with the
701 engine version until 1990 when the engines were switched to the more powerful 701C version.
#2 AH-64B
The AH-64B was a proposed upgrade to 254 AH-64As. The upgrade would have included new rotor blades,
a Global Positioning System (GPS), improved navigation systems and new radios.
#3 AH-64C The C upgrade would include all
changes to be included in the Longbow except for mast-mounted radar and newer 700C engine versions.
#4 AH-64D
The AH-64D Apache Longbow is equipped with a glass cockpit and advanced sensors,
the most noticeable of which being the AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave fire-control radar (FCR)
target acquisition system and the Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), housed in a dome located
above the main rotor. The aircraft is powered by a pair of uprated T700-GE-701C engines.
#5 AH-64E
Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in 2012, it was redesignated as AH-64E
Guardian to represent its increased capabilities. The AH-64E features improved digital connectivity,
the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines
with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to
control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), full IFR capability, and improved landing gear.
#6 AH-64F The conceptual AH-64F would
have greater speed via a new 3,000 shp turboshaft engine from the Improved Turbine Engine Program,
retractable landing gear, stub wings to offload lift from the main rotor during cruise,
and a tail rotor that can articulate 90 degrees to provide forward thrust.
#7 Compound Apache In October 2018, Boeing began
testing the AH-64E Block 2 Compound, a compound helicopter design which added a larger fixed wing
and a pusher propeller to the Apache airframe to provide additional lift and thrust, respectively.
In addition, the engine exhaust was redirected downwards. Collectively, the modifications were
anticipated to improve speed to 185 kn, range to 460 nmi, payload to 5,900 lb, and fuel economy.
#8 Sea Apache During the 1980s
naval versions of the AH-64A for the United States Marine Corps and Navy were examined.
Multiple concepts were studied with altered landing gear arrangements, improved avionics
and weapons. The United States Marine Corps (USMC) was very interested and conducted a
two-week evaluation of the Apache in September 1981, including shipboard operation tests.
In the last part, we will show you the countries which operate
the advanced helicopter: Lihat daftar negaranya di (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_AH-64_Apache )
In conclusion, The AH-64 Apache has accumulated millions of flight hours over its lifetime,
supporting troops as an advanced multi-role combat helicopter. These capabilities make Apache not
only one of formidable attack helicopter in the world but also creates a chill in the spines of
the enemy. The most important factor to be noticed here is that till date over 2000 such helicopters
have been made & delivered to different countries in the world, only one had been the victim of
enemy fire in the gulf war. This too because this was a very initial type & was not upgraded.