Aircraft

AH-64D Longbow

The Apache AH-64D Longbow is a multi-mission attack helicopter. It has twin turboshaft engines, and a four blade configuration. It is operated by two pilots who sit in a tandem cockpit arrangement with the pilot seated in the rear slightly higher than the co-pilot/gunner. The Apache’s Target Acquisition Designation Sights and Pilot Night Vision System are mounted on the nose. This system can be slaved to the pilots’ helmets allowing them to track targets with their head movements.

The Apache carries four main armaments:

1. 30mm M230 Chain Gun.This hydraulically-driven gun is located below the front fuselage on a swiveling mount and is capable of firing over 650 armor penetrating high explosive, dual purpose rounds per minute. It has a total ammunition capacity of 1,200 rounds.
2. Hydra 70mm rocket.Depending on the mission configuration, the Apache can carry up to 76 of the Hydra unguided Folding Fin Aerial Rockets. They are mounted on hard point pylons on the Apache’s wing stubs. The Hydra can be fitted with a number of different warheads including flechette anti-personnel, general purpose blast fragmentation, and armor piercing.
3. AGM-114 missile.This is a HELicopter Launched Fire and Forget (Hellfire) laser guided air-to-surface missile primarily designed as an anti-armor weapon. Once it has acquired a target and been launched, it needs no further guidance or line of sight maintenance. The launch platform can turn away from the target and the Hellfire will maintain its lock. Each Hellfire has a 20 lb (9kg) warhead and has a maximum operating range of 8,000 meters. The Apache can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles on its hard point wing stub pylons.
4. Stinger Air-To-Air missile.This is a short range, lightweight, Infra-Red homing missile primarily designed for use against low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The Apache can carry a total payload of four of these missiles in two by two-round pods on each side of the wing stubs.

The Longbow variant of the Apache is recognizable by the large circular dome installed over the main rotor that houses the aircraft’s millimeter wave Fire Control Radar target acquisition system and Radar Frequency Interferometer. The mast-mounted position allows the Apache to assume cover behind terrain and tree lines while maintaining an accurate radar view of the battlefield. It can quickly and accurately assess, categorize and prioritize up to 128 targets simultaneously.

The Apache can be fitted with a 30 round M130 automatic chaff/flare dispenser on the port side of the tail boom. The armored cockpit, bulletproof windows and Kevlar lined seats provide protection for its occupants. The entire helicopter can survive fire from 12.7mm rounds and the mission-critical components can tolerate 23mm rounds. An infra-red suppression system helps to reduce the heat signature emitted from the engines making it less vulnerable to IR homing missiles.