The US Army Apache: world's best attack helicopter

Two US-made Apache attack helicopters, from Taiwan's Army Airborne Special Forces, demonstrate their combat skills during a military open house event in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on September 21. [Sam Yeh/AFP]

The AH-64D/E Apache Guardian, the latest version of the US military's Apache helicopter, is the most advanced attack helicopter in the world.

Since Boeing delivered the first Apache to the US military in 1984, it has been the foremost attack helicopter in the world, with more than 2,700 produced for both the United States and its allies.

The Apache is a twin-engine, four-blade tandem seat attack helicopter that is equipped with the 30mm M230 cannon, a single barrel electrically driven chain gun that fires high explosive dual purpose or high explosive incendiary (HEI) ammunition.

The M230 is capable of single shot, controlled, burst and fully automatic firing modes with a maximum firing range of 4,000 meters and a lethality range of 2,000 meters.

US soldiers fly two AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters to Katterbach Kaserne, from Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Clay Kaserne, Germany, September 7. [US Army]

An Indonesian army AH-64 Apache helicopter prepares to take off for a joint training flight with a Indonesian pilot and an American gunner during Exercise Super Garuda Shield at Camp 515 Indonesian National Armed Forces Infantry Base, Banyuwangi, Indonesia, August 30. [US Army]

The Apache possesses four hard points that can mount AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, a family of 100-pound (45.4kg) air-to-ground missiles with high-explosive anti-tank capabilities for armored targets and blast fragmentation for "soft" targets.

The AGM-114 Hellfire missiles provide the Apache with point-target precision strike capability to defeat advanced armor. The missiles have a maximum range of 8km for indirect fire and 7.1km for direct fire.

The Hellfire has a "fire-and-forget" capability, which means it can hit targets without further guidance after launch and without the launcher requiring line of sight of the target.

The hard points can serve as mounts for the Hydra 70 Rocket Pod, a 2.75-inch (7cm) fin-stabilized unguided air-to-surface aerial rockets that can be equipped with both unitary and cargo warheads for use against point and area targets. The Hydra boasts a maximum effective range of 10,500 meters.

The Hydra 70 can use nine different warheads to give the AH-1Z air-to-ground suppression, smoke screening, illumination, and direct and indirect fire capabilities at close and extended ranges.

The most common warhead for the rocket is the M151 "10-Pounder," which has a blast radius of 10 meters and lethal fragmentation radius of about 50 meters.

The unguided rocket can be upgraded into a precision-guided munition with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II, which adds a mid-body guidance unit.

The AH-64E Apache has fully integrated Link 16 interoperability, which allows the helicopter to communicate in real time with other assets -- such as F-35 Lightning IIs and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) multiple rocket launchers -- in engaging targets.

Link 16 at its core is a communication system for transmitting and exchanging real time tactical data among the US military, NATO and other allies.

It provides a secure, jam-resistant, high-speed digital data link that operates at radio and microwave frequencies.

The network enables a range of platforms, including aircraft, surface ships, ground vehicles, missile defence systems, networked weapons and command-and-control networks, to exchange text, imagery and digital voice messages.

Global reach

The Apache enjoys worldwide distribution.

In August, more than 1,280 Apaches were in operation amassing more than 5 million flight hours, including 1.3 million hours in active combat, Boeing said.

Outside the United States, Apaches are owned and operated by Egypt, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

The Apache has seen action in every major American and NATO conflict since it was first used in combat in 1989 during the US invasion of Panama.

It was used in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Anaconda and has supported peacekeeping operations conducted by the United States and allies including those in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Compared with the more than 2,700 Apaches produced for the United States and its allies since 1984, Russia has been able to produce only 133 of its Ka-52 helicopters.

Equipped with a distinctive coaxial rotor system, the Ka-52 -- like the Apache -- is designed for a wide range of missions, including anti-tank, reconnaissance and close air support operations.

However, at least 41 Ka-42s have been lost during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Man-portable air-defense systems, including US-made Stingers, have been among the most effective weapons against the Ka-52, Forbes reported.