( Hughes / Mc Donnell Douglas ) Boeing AH-64 Apache
The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, attack helicopter designed to operate during the day, night, and in adverse weather.
After the AFFSS competition cancelation, the US Army launch a new program for an AAH
or advanced attack helicopter . In 1973, the Hughes Model 77 was selected as the winner against the
Bell 409 ( YAH-63 )
The prototype made its first flight in 1975 as the YAH-64 , and in 1976 the
company received a full-scale development contract.
In 1982 the Army gave the program, now known as AH-64A Apache , production go-ahead.
Deliveries of production Apaches began in 1984 with the first combat unit deployed in 1986.
AH-64A of the first series played a key role in the 1991 Gulf War, where 147 Apaches destroyed near 245 enemy vehicles.
By late 1996, McDonnell Douglas Helicopters delivered 937 AH-64A Apaches -- 821 to the US Army and 116 to international
customers, including Egypt, Greece, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
At the end of the 90s, the AH-64D Longbow Apache designation was applied to near 600 upgraded
AH-64A with 2 x 1800 hp T700-GE-701 turboshafts engines , the Westinghouse Longbow
radar system for automatic detection and classification of targets and
all weather fire-and-forget type weapons.
The Apache was also exported to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom ( as
WAH-64 to be assembly by Westland )
AH-64A : Mission: Attack Helicopter Engines: 2 * 1536 hp General Electric T700-700 Turbine engines Top Speed: 309 km/h Range: 610 km -- Max: 1804 Km Weight: Empty: 4657 kg -- Max: 8006 Rotor Span: 14.63 m Length: 14.97 m Height: 4.22 m Disc Area: 168.11 m2
Boeing has developed and delivered Apache Longbow Crew Trainers -- deployable, full-mission, high-fidelity flight
simulators -- to the US Army, Dutch Air Force and international customers ensuring readiness levels for
individuals, crews and maintenance test pilots.
