AH-64 Apache

AH-64 Apache (Attack helicopter) – 741

Manufacturer:

Hughes Helicopters (1975-84);

McDonnell Douglas: (1984-97);

Boeing Defense, Space & Security (1997-present)

Designer: Hughes Helicopters

First flight: 30 September 1975

Introduction: April 1986

Produced: 1983-present

Number built: 2,000 as of March 2013

Unit cost:

AH-64A – $20M (2007)

AH-64D – $65M (2010)

AH-64E – $35.5M (FY2014)

Variants: AgustaWestland Apache

General characteristics

Crew: 2 (pilot and co-pilot/gunner)

Length: 17.73 m (with both rotors turning)

Rotor diameter: 14.63 m

Height: 3.87 m

Disc area: 168.11 m²

Empty weight: 5,165 kg

Loaded weight: 8,000 kg

Max. takeoff weight: 10,433 kg

Powerplant:

AH-64D – 2× General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshafts, 1,890 shp (1,409 kW) each;

AH-64E – 2× General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshafts, 2,000 shp (1,490 kW) each

Fuselage length: 15.06 m

Rotor systems: 4 blade main rotor, 4 blade tail rotor in non-orthogonal alignment

Performance

Never exceed speed: 365 km/h

Maximum speed: 293 km/h

Cruise speed: 265 km/h

Range: 476 km with Longbow radar mast

Combat radius: 480 km

Ferry range: 1,900 km

Service ceiling: 6,400 m minimum loaded

Rate of climb: 12.7 m/s

Disc loading: 47.9 kg/m²

Power/mass: 0.31 kW/kg

Armament

Guns: 1× 30 mm M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds as part of the Area Weapon Subsystem

Hardpoints: 4 pylon stations on the stub wings. Longbows also have a station on each wingtip for an AIM-92 Stinger twin missile pack

Rockets: 4× 19 Hydra 70 (70 mm), and CRV7 (70 mm) air-to-ground rockets

Missiles:

4× 4 AGM-114 Hellfire variants;

AIM-92 Stinger may also be carried

Avionics

Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radar

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.

AH-64E

The AH-64E features improved digital connectivity, the joint tactical radio system, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control Unmanned aerial vehicle, 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.

Airbus Helicopters has completed official delivery of the first two Tiger helicopters in the new HAD-E version (Helicoptero de Apoyo y Destrucción, Support and Destruction Helicopter) for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force. The Spanish Army purchased a total of 24 of these helicopters, which offers numerous advantages compared to the HAP-E Tigers (Hélicoptère d'Appui Protection, Support and Escort Helicopter) currently in service.

(http://www.dmitryshulgin.com/2014/12/23/crouching-tiger/)