AH-64 development began under Hughes as the Model 77 in 1973. In Jan 1984, McDonnell Douglas aquired Hughes, just before AH-64A deliveries to the US Army began. In 1997, Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas.
Prototype Hughes YAH-64 first flew 30 Sep 1975 and eventually won a US Army advanced attack helicopter competition. Tandem seat, all weather, day or night anti-tank capable helicopter with several high survivability features built in (eg 30 minutes dry running gearbox - without oil), powered by twin General Electric T700-GE-701 turboshaft engines. AH-64A original production version introduced into service in Apr 1986 at Fort Hood, Texas with US Cavalry units. AH-64B was a proposed advanced cockpit version (abandoned ?). AH-64C, of which two were built in 1994, was essentially an AH-64D (qv) minus the Longbow attack radar. Served with armed forces of Egypt, Greece, Israel, Kuwait, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Some similarity in appearance with Agusta A129 Mangusta and Bell AH-1 Cobra.
AH-64A Apache News |
Apache Helicopter Celebrates 40 Years
22-Mar-24 - The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is celebrating 40 years since the first one was delivered to the US Army in January 1984. Delivered in three major variants (A, D, and E), Apaches have totaled more than five million flight hours, with 1,340,000 hours logged in combat and peacekeeping operations #ApacheFive Million Flight Hours for US Army Apaches
05-Mar-23 - The US Army reached 5 million flight hours on the AH-64 A/D/E Apache since 1984, 1.3 million of those in combat #ApacheAH-64 Apache Production Reached 2500
30-Jun-20 - Boeing delivered the 2500th Apache helicopter. Production included 937 A-models through 1997, more than 1,000 AH-64Ds between 1997 and 2013, and more than 500 E-models since 2011 for 16 nations #ApacheUtah Guard aviator First to Reach 10K Hs in Apache
07-Oct-15 - A Utah National Guard Army aviator was recognized as the senior Apache aviator in the world achieving more than 10,000 flying hours in the AH-64 attack helicopter.Support contract for Saudi Arabia Apaches
11-Feb-14 - Orlando, Fla. – Lockheed Martin received a $22 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) Special Repair Activities for the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command’s Apache attack helicopters.More News ... | |
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Specifications AH-64A Apache |
Derivatives & Versions of AH-64A Apache |
Model | Year | History |
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B AH-64D Apache 1991 | 1991 | Four prototype AH-64D Longbow Apaches built in 1992/93, first flew 15 Apr 1992. Updated and improved AH-64 Apache for similar mission, with the L ... Boeing has a diverse supplier base, including taking fuselages for Block III AH-64D Apaches from Korea Aerospace Industries. |