Basic Information

Name

AH-64E Apache Guardian American Attack Helicopter

Designation

AH-64E Apache American Guardian Attack Helicopter

Alternate Designation

AH-64E Apache American Guardian Attack Helicopter

Equipment Type

Attack Helicopter

Manufacturer

Boeing

Date of Introduction

2012

Description

The AH-64E attack helicopter is the latest version of the AH-64, used by the US Army. It is also known as Apache Guardian. Until 2012 it was designated as AH-64D Block III. It has a number of improvements and upgrades, including more powerful engines, upgraded transmission, and other improvements. The AH-64E Apache Guardian features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability, and cognitive decision aiding, and reduced operating and support costs, Boeing officials say. The AH-64E Apache is being delivered to the U.S. Army and has been selected by several international defense forces. The AH-64E Longbow manufacturing effort involves the Longbow Limited Liability Co. (LBL) joint venture between Northrop Grumman Corp. and Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin provides the Modernized-Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI) and the Hellfire missile, which provides fire and forget capabilities. Northrop Grumman provides the AN/APG-78 millimeter-wave fire-control radar. The combination of the attack fire-control radar, frequency interferometer, and advanced navigation and communications avionics provides increased situational awareness, lethality, and survivability, Army officials say. This program also installs the Lockheed Martin Apache Arrowhead Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight (M-TADS) and Pilot Night Vision Sensors (PNVS) systems aboard new AH-64E helicopters.

Air & Air Defense Specifications

Crew 2

Engine Turboshaft (2 hp)

Variants

AH-64A The AH-64A is the original production attack helicopter. The crew sits 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. U.S. Army AH-64As are being converted to AH-64Ds. The service's last AH-64A was taken out of service in July 2012 before conversion at Boeing's facility in Mesa, Arizona. On 25 September 2012, Boeing received a $136.8M contract to remanufacture the last 16 AH-64As into the AH-64D Block II version and this was forecast to be completed by December 2013.

AH-64B In 1991, after Operation Desert Storm, 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. U.S. Congress approved $82M to begin the Apache B upgrade. The B program was canceled in 1992. The radio, navigation, and GPS modifications were later installed on most A-model Apaches through other upgrades.

AH-64C Additional funding from Congress in late 1991 resulted in a program to upgrade AH-64As to an AH-64B+ version. More funding changed the plan to upgrade to 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. However, the C designation was dropped after 1993. With AH-64As receiving the newer engine from 1990, the only difference between the C model and the radar-equipped D model was the radar, which could be moved from one aircraft to another; thus the decision was made to simply designate both versions "AH-64D".

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 radome's raised position enables target detection while the helicopter is behind obstacles (e.g. terrain, trees or buildings). The AN/APG-78 is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 128 targets and engaging up to 16 at once; an attack can be initiated within 30 seconds. A radio modem integrated with the sensor suite allows data to be shared with ground units and other Apaches, allowing them to fire on targets detected by a single helicopter. The aircraft is powered by a pair of uprated T700-GE-701C engines. The forward fuselage was expanded to accommodate new systems to improve survivability, navigation, and 'tactical internet' communications capabilities. In February 2003, the first Block II Apache was delivered to the U.S. Army, featuring digital communications upgrades. The Japanese Apache AH-64DJP variant is based on the AH-64D; it can be equipped with the AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles for self-defense.

AH-64E Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in 2012, it was re-designated 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. New composite rotor blades, which successfully completed testing in 2004, increase cruise speed, climb rate, and payload capacity. Deliveries began in November 2011. Full-rate production was approved on 24 October 2012, with 634 AH-64Ds to be upgraded to AH-64E standard and production of 56 new-build AH-64Es to start in 2019/20. Changes in production lots 4 through 6 shall include a cognitive decision aiding system and new self-diagnostic abilities. The updated Longbow radar has an oversea capacity, potentially enabling naval strikes; an AESA radar is under consideration. The E model is to be fit for maritime operations. The Army has expressed a desire to add extended-range fuel tanks to the AH-64E to further increase range and endurance. AH-64Es are to have the L-3 Communications MUM-TX datalink installed in place of two previous counterparts, communicating on C, D, L, and Ku frequency bands to transmit and receive data and video with all Army UAVs. Lots 5 and 6 will be equipped with Link 16 data-links. As of April 2020, 500 AH-64E have been delivered.

AH-64F In 2014, Boeing conceptualized an Apache upgrade prior to the introduction of the U.S. Army's anticipated attack version of the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft, forecast to replace the Apache by 2040. 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. In October 2016, the Army revealed they would not pursue another Apache upgrade to focus on funding FVL; the Army will continue buying the Apache through the 2020s until Boeing's production line ends in 2026, then FVL is slated to come online in 2030.

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 (343 km/h; 213 mph), range to 460 nmi (850 km; 530 mi), payload to 5,900 lb (2,700 kg), and fuel economy. A 30% scale model completed wind tunnel testing in January 2019. The Compound Apache has been pitched as an interim replacement for the Apache before its replacement under the Future Vertical Lift program.

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 USMC was very interested and conducted a two-week evaluation of the Apache in September 1981, including shipboard operation tests. Funding for a naval version was not provided; the Marine Corps continued to use the AH-1. The Canadian Forces Maritime Command also examined a naval Apache. In 2004, British Army AgustaWestland Apaches were deployed upon the Royal Navy's HMS Ocean, a Landing Platform Helicopter, for suitability testing; there was U.S. interest in the trials. During the 2011 military intervention in Libya, the British Army extensively used Apaches from HMS Ocean. In 2013, U.S. 36th Combat Aviation Brigade AH-64Ds were tested on a variety of U.S. Navy ships.

Export Apaches Several models have been derived from both AH-64A and AH-64D for export. The British-built AgustaWestland Apache (assembled from kits purchased from Boeing) is based on the AH-64D Block I with several different systems, including more powerful engines, folding rotor blades, and other modifications for operation from Royal Navy vessels.

System

Alternative Designation AH-64E Apache American Guardian Attack Helicopter

Type Attack Helicopter

Manufacturer Boeing Co

Crew 2 ea

Blades, Main Rotor 4 ea

Blades, Tail Rotor 2 ea

Number of Engines 2 ea

Number of Hard Points INA

Note The U.S. Army is the primary operator of the AH-64. It has also become the primary attack helicopter of multiple nations, including Greece, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

Dimensions

Length 17.7 m

Width INA

Main Rotor Diameter 14.6 m

Height 5 m

Weight, Combat 10.43 tons

Automotive

Engine Name 2 x General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshafts

Engine Type Turboshaft

Engine Power 2 x 1,994 shp

Cruising Range 476 km

Speed, Maximum 293 km/h

Speed, Average 275 km/h

Maximum Altitude 6.4 km

Main Gun System

System

Name 1 x McDonnell Douglas Helicopter's M230 30-mm chain gun

Type Chain Gun

Caliber 30 mm

Barrel Length INA

Weight 56 kg

Muzzle Velocity 805 m/s

Rate of Fire 625 +/- 25 rpm

Maximum Firing Range 4000 m

Effective Firing Range 1,500 m

Ammunition

Name M789

Type HEDP

Caliber 30 mm

Cartridge INA

Basic Load INA

Armor Penetration INA

Bursting Charge 21.5 g

Missile Weapon Systems

Missile System

Name Rockwell AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided anti-tank missiles

Type Air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missile

Length 1.6 m

Weight 45-49 kg

Rocket Weapon Systems

Rocket System

Name Hydra 70 2.75-in (70-mm) rocket pods

Type air-to-ground

Length 1060 mm

Diameter 70 mm

Weight 6.2 kg

Guidance System Unguided

Muzzle Velocity 700 m/s

Effective Firing Range 8000 m

Maximum Firing Range 10,500 m

Maximum Speed 739 m/s

Basic Load INA

Fire Control and Avionics

Fire Control System Type 1 x AN/APG-78 Longbow

Fire Control Radar 1 x Longbow Fire Control Radar

Navigation Radar 1x Honeywell embedded GPS/INS (EGI)

Digital or Analog Cockpit Digital

Direct Fire Control M-Turret - Azimuth and elevation motor housing that interfaces with the aircraft and houses the M-TADS/PNVS sensors

Laser Designator 1 x Modernized Day Sensor Assembly (M-DSA) with Laser Spot Tracker and Laser Range Finder / Designator

Target Acquisition System Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight / Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS)

Communications Suite Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS)

Note It performs wide area search, precise detection, location and classification of up to 256 simultaneous moving and stationary targets. From these, the system then prioritizes the top 16 targets for immediate evaluation and, if desired, engagement by the aircrew.

Protection

Add on Armor Yes, Armor Transparent Barrier

Stealth Properties None

Heat Signature Reduction None

NBC Protection INA

EW Counter Measures/CCM Spectral Emitter

Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares) Yes

Image Sources

Notes https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-04-21/boeing-secures-more-ah-64e-apache-upgrades; https://news.lockheedmartin.com/lockheed-martin-to-provide-enhanced-electronic-warfare-capabilities-to-us-army-coalition-helicopters; https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/lockheed-martin-delivering-next-generation-apache-sensor-systems-under-new-u-s-army-contract-1003532630;

Image Sources

Notes https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2013-09-06/us-announces-first-sale-apaches-indonesia; https://clearedcareers.com/blog/boeing-awarded-393m-mod-for-apache-ah-64e-services-equipment/; https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-04-21/boeing-secures-more-ah-64e-apache-upgrades;