AH-64 Apache

TheBoeing AH-64 Apacheis a four-blade, twin-engineattack helicopterwith a tailwheel-typelanding geararrangement, and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. Originally, the Apache started life as theModel 77developed byHughes Helicoptersfor theUnited States Army'sAdvanced Attack Helicopterprogram to replace theAH-1 Cobra, and was first flown on 30 September 1975. The AH-64 was introduced to U.S. Army service in April 1986.

The AH-64 Apache features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition andnight vision systems. It is armed with a30-millimeter (1.2in)M230 Chain Guncarried between the main landing gear, under the aircraft's forward fuselage. It has fourhardpointsmounted on stub-wing pylons, typically carrying a mixture ofAGM-114 Hellfiremissiles andHydra 70rocket pods. The AH-64 has a large amount of systems redundancy to improve combat survivability.

The U.S. Army selected the YAH-64, by Hughes Helicopters, over theBell YAH-63in 1976, and later approved full production in 1982.McDonnell Douglascontinued production and development after purchasing Hughes Helicopters fromSumma Corporationin 1984. The first production AH-64D Apache Longbow, an upgraded version of the original Apache, was delivered to the Army in March 1997. Production has been continued byBoeing Defense, Space & Security; over 1,000 AH-64s have been produced to date.

The U.S. Army is the primary operator of the AH-64; it has also become the primary attack helicopter of multiple nations, includingGreece,Japan,Israel, theNetherlandsandSingapore; as well as being produced under license in theUnited Kingdomas theAgustaWestland Apache. U.S. AH-64s have served in conflicts inPanama, thePersian Gulf,Kosovo,Afghanistan, andIraq. Israel used the Apache in its military conflicts inLebanonand theGaza Strip; both British and U.S. Apaches have seen deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.