Among all military vehicles, the AH-64 Apache helicopter is perhaps the most renowned. Early in the 20th century, the first tanks were introduced. As they were no longer susceptible to small arms fire, soldiers could traverse landscapes unopposed. Due to advancements in airpower, the hunter has become the hunted, but technology never stands still.

Nine Little-Known Facts About The Apache Helicopter

While ground-attack missions are not new, the helicopter gunship best exemplified the combination of firepower, mobility, and stealth. A rotary assault helicopter is the most feared platform for any armored division.

A laser-equipped chopper hits its first target, delighting a defense contractor – The Washington Post

Boeing’s AH-64 Apache, possibly the most famous of them all, set the standard for gunship design that remains cutting-edge today. We are accustomed to seeing aircraft in flying displays showcasing their unique features, but the following information might surprise even the most passionate aviation fan.

According to The Economic Times, Apache attack helicopters will enable the Indian Army to conduct daring assaults.

Remarkably, the original AH-64 prototype dates back to 1975 when the US Department of Defense sought to replace its aging AH-1 Cobras. Hughes Helicopters secured the final design contract for what would ultimately become the AH-64 Apache.

The pre-production model of the AH-64 featured a lower tail plane design and redesigned nose section, making the early prototype easily distinguishable from the final production variant. After an extended 11-year development process, the AH-64 initially entered operational service in 1986.

Essential Statistics

You could be forgiven for thinking that gunships are small, agile machines, but a closer look at the formidable AH-64 Apache reveals a very different picture; the iconic gunship is much larger than most people assume.

The Apache falls into the same size category as a typical school bus, measuring 58 feet long, 48 feet wide, and over 13 feet tall. For rotary-powered aircraft weighing up to 21,000 pounds, a cruise speed of 182 mph and a “never to be exceeded” top speed of 227 mph are both highly impressive. The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce RTM322 turbojets with a combined output of 4540 hp. Keep their size in mind next time you see one of these incredible machines gracefully soaring above you.

Function Before Form

Helicopters travel at significantly slower speeds than their fixed-wing counterparts, eliminating the need for highly streamlined fuselages. While this lower speed makes helicopters more agile, it also has certain unfavorable consequences.

Its twin engines generate vast amounts of heat that could potentially put the aircraft at greater risk from enemy IR-guided missiles. Operating at lower altitudes and airspeeds does increase the likelihood of hostile encounters. This risk is minimized by positioning the engines as high and far back as possible, with rotor downwash assisting in heat dissipation.

The AH-64 Apache features the well-known tandem seating arrangement, as it is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment that requires a crew of two. Each gunship’s cockpit is packed with state-of-the-art equipment for the aircraft’s flight, navigation, offensive, and defensive capabilities. To become a pilot, one must complete a basic flight training program lasting nine weeks.

The AH-64 is equipped with dual control systems that allow the front occupant to take control of the aircraft in an emergency. Under normal operating conditions, the front seat is reserved for the weapons officer, while the pilot occupies the rear cockpit.

Performance Capabilities

The ability to operate from smaller forward bases in tight spaces is, by far, the greatest advantage Apache pilots have over traditional fixed-wing aircraft. The AH-64’s rotor diameter of 48 feet is the minimum area it