AH-64 Apache

The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, attack helicopter designed to operate during day, night, and in adverse weather. After the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne cancellation, the US Army launched a new competition for an Advanced Attack Helicopter or AAH. In 1973, the Hughes Model 77 (YAH-64) was selected as the winner against the Bell 409 ( YAH-63 ).

Bell 409, YAH-63

Hughes 77, YAH-64

Hughes prototype completed first flight on September 30, 1975 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. On January 1984, McDonnell Douglas Helicopters acquired Hughes and deliveries of production Apaches began with the first combat unit deployed in 1986. These AH-64A of the first series played a key role in the 1991 Gulf War, where 147 Apaches destroyed near 245 enemy vehicles.

AH-64A Apache



By late 1996, McDonnell Douglas had 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.

Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas and launched a new variant, the AH-64D Longbow Apache . Near 600 AH-64A were upgraded with 1800 shp 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. New built aircraft production followed.

The Longbow Apache was exported to the United Kingdom, as WAH-64 to be assembled by Westland, and to the Netherlands.

Pilot Crewstation (Rear)

Gunner Crewstation (Front)

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.





Database:
AH-64A Apache Production List
AH-64D Apache Production List
AH-64E Apache Production List



Related News:
Boeing Celebrates Delivery of 1,000th Apache Mar 30, 1999
Pilots undertrained and underequipped ? Jul 1, 1999
WAH-64 Aviation Training International Led Jul 29, 1999
WAH-64 Boeing delivers first WAH-64 kit to Westland Sep 1, 1999
AH-64D Apache Longbow aerobatic tests Sep 17, 1999
Israel says Apaches were flawed Oct 19, 1999
2nd US Longbow battalion combat ready Nov 2, 1999
US Army grounds AH-64 Apaches [+ update] Nov 8, 1999
US Army speeding repair of Apache helicopters Nov 22, 1999
100th AH-64D Apache Longbow to US Army Dec 9, 1999
WAH-64 First WAH-64 arrives 100 days early Dec 13, 1999
WAH-64 New production facility opens at GKN Jan 14, 2000
US Army closes probe of Apache crash Jan 17, 2000
US refuses to give Israel Longbow Apaches Feb 2, 2000
Radars for Singapore Longbow Apaches Feb 22, 2000
WAH-64 UK Army take delivery of the first WAH-64 Mar 15, 2000
US Army and Boeing sign long-lead contract Mar 30, 2000
WAH-64 First UK built WAH-64 makes maiden flight Jul 19, 2000
WAH-64 First UK built WAH-64 delivered Aug 15, 2000
Boeing to modify Israeli Longbows Sep 15, 2000
New training system for british Apaches Sep 20, 2000
25th Anniversary of Apache first flight Oct 2, 2000
New sensors "Arrowhead" for AH-64 Apache Oct 27, 2000
US Army grounds all Apaches Dec 15, 2000
WAH-64 UK Apaches cannot fire missiles ? Mar 25, 2002
Apache first production ends Apr 3, 2002
Last dutch Apache delivered May 9, 2002
Boeing Delivers 300th Apache Longbow to US Army Jun 20, 2003
Boeing and US Army Sign Block III Apache Longbow Contract Jul 26, 2006
Boeing Delivers 501st AH-64D Apache Longbow to US Army Aug 9, 2006
Boeing Awarded Contract for 11 US Army AH-64D Nov 20, 2006
Boeing Completes Delivery of Remanufactured AH-64D Apaches for Egypt Jan 4, 2007
Delivery of New AH-64DHA Apache Longbows for Greece Jan 16, 2007
Boeing Awarded Contract for 126 Remanufactured AH-64D Jan 18, 2007
Boeing-built AH-64D Make Debut in Kuwait Mar 6, 2007
Boeing Awarded Contract for 18 US Army AH-64D Apr 9, 2007
Boeing Delivers First Extended Block II Apache to US Army Oct 5, 2007