ARMY AL&T


In a Shephard Press book titled Promises Kept: 25 Years of the Apache, Al Winn, Boeing’s Vice President of Apache Programs, was quoted on the helicopter’s revolutionary evolution, “Apache … Block III is a visionary concept based on a legacy of success. In 1984, when the U.S. Army accepted delivery of the first A-model Apache, the operational effectiveness of the [service] was posi- tively altered. With the advantages and capabilities of the AH-64A, U.S. Army aviators coined the phrase ‘we own the night.’ And as those who flew the A-model helicopter in conflict can attest, the applications and usefulness of heli- copters in battle was forever changed.”


Phased Development Begins Conceptual design and development of what would ultimately become the Apache began in 1973 as the Secretary of Defense initiated a phased develop- ment effort for a new Advanced Attack Helicopter program. Bell Helicopter and Hughes Helicopters were awarded con- tracts to design and fabricate a static test article, a ground test vehicle, and two flying prototypes. Understanding that tank killing for a Fulda Gap scenario was a critical capability, Hughes designers developed an aircraft with a range of


performance advantages—integrating weapons and sensor systems, developing drive and rotor system components for maneuverability, and designing a crew station that enhanced survivability. The development team also spotlighted aspects of reliability, availability, and maintain- ability in the helicopter’s initial design.


The Hughes YAH-64 was selected by the Army’s engineering flight test detachment at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, following a flyoff in which it was determined that the helicopter met more of the specified requirements than its competitor. The first Apaches were produced and delivered begin- ning in 1984.


Powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701 turbine engines, the self-deployable, multimission AH-64A Apache, like today’s AH-64D, carried a lethal array of armaments including missiles, aerial rockets, and a 30mm Chain Gun. Author Scott R. Gourley, in Promises Kept, said, “that dry descrip- tion of power and lethal capabilities hardly did the Apache justice. The fact is that, even as the first Apaches started moving off the production line at the new plant in Mesa, [AZ,] it became


quite apparent to Army aviators that they were dealing with a true revolution in aerial platform capabilities.”


The U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command conducted a product improvement study of the Apache in 1983 to determine potential capabilities improvements. The result was initiation of a requirement for an advanced configuration of the helicopter. The FY88 budget included a program that led to an advanced Apache model being operational in 1994.


Apache Longbow Leverages Capabilities


The first AH-64D Apache Longbow was rolled out for its first public flight in September 1993. It featured a new digital crew station and a mast-mounted, millimeter wave fire control radar (FCR) with a passive radio-frequency interferometer, along with airframe modifications and an upgraded processing system.


The AN/APG-78 Longbow FCR is the principal component of the revo- lutionary Longbow Weapon System, comprising the FCR, AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometer,


The Apache Longbow with Fire Control Radar maneuvers over desert terrain. The Longbow currently has two different production lines ongoing: a remanufacturing line that converts older AH-64A model Apaches into the newer AH-64D Longbow, and a new-build production line that makes new Longbow aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Boeing.)


OCTOBER –DECEMBER 2010 40


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76