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Apache AH-64D Longbow, US Army
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Photography by Action Asia Photo |
The Apache is a twin-engine attack helicopter developed by Boeing. It entered service with the US Army in 1984 as the AH-64A and has been developed up to the current version - the AH-64D Longbow - which is fitted with the Longbow millimeter wave fire control radar and the Longbow Hellfire missile. The Apache first saw combat over Panama in 1989, was used in the Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo, in Afghanistan, and recently in Iraq. More than 800 Apaches are now in service with the US Army. Over 1,000 have been exported to Egypt, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Many AH-64As are being upgraded to the AH-64D and the UK is building its own version. The AH-64D is armed with the Lockheed Martin/Boeing AGM-114D Longbow Hellfire air-to-surface missile that has a millimeter wave seeker which allows the missile to perform in full fire-and-forget mode at a range of 8 to 12 kilometers. The Longbow Apache carries the combination of armaments chosen for any particular mission. In the close support role the helicopter carries 16 Hellfire missiles on four 4-rail launchers and four air-to-air missiles. The Apache has been equipped with Stinger, AIM-9 Sidewinder, Mistral and Sidearm air-to-air missiles and 2.75 inch rockets. A 30mm automatic Boeing M230 Chain Gun - or cannon -is located under the fuselage. Firing 625 rounds per minute, the helicopter has capacity to carry up to 1,200 rounds. The AH-64D Longbow Apache is equipped with the Northrop Grumman millimeter-wave Longbow radar that uses passive location and identification of radar emitting threats. The advantage of millimeter wave is that it performs under poor visibility conditions and is less sensitive to ground clutter. Also, the very short wavelength emits a very narrow beam width that is resistant to countermeasures. The Longbow Apache can effect an attack in thirty seconds. The radar dome is unmasked for a single radar scan and then re-masked. The processors determine the location, speed and direction of travel of up to 256 targets. The Target Acquisition Designation Sight (TADS) and the Pilot Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) were developed by Lockheed Martin. The turret-mounted TADS provides direct view optics, television and 3-D forward looking infra-red (FLIR) to carry out search, detection and recognition and a Litton laser rangefinder/designator. PNVS consists of a FLIR in a rotating turret located on the nose above the TADS. The image from the PNVS is displayed in the monocular eyepiece of the Honeywell integrated Helmet And Display Sighting System (HADDS) worn by the pilot and co-pilot/gunner. Lockheed Martin has developed a new targeting and night vision system for the Apache, called Arrowhead. Arrowhead has a dual field-of-view second-generation long-wave infrared sensor with improved range and resolution. The new system is planned to enter service with the US Army in 2004.The Apache is equipped with an electronic warfare suite consisting of radar warning receiver, infra-red countermeasures set, laser warning receiver, radar jammer and chaff dispensers. Crew:
Pilot in rear, co-pilot/gunner in front
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