In the early 1970’s the US Army wanted a replacement for the AH-1 Cobra so companies
submitted proposals. In July 1973 the list was shortened to Hughes and Bell with each building a
prototype in 1975. The Army selected the Hughes helicopter because its landing gear was more
stable and the main rotor was more damage tolerant. In 1981 3 pre-production AH-64As were
given to the Army for testing and named Apache. The Apache went into production in 1982 and
has evolved into one of the deadly machines over the battle field.

On March 17, 2010 U.S. Secretary of Defense announced that on September 1, 2010 the U.S.
presence in Iraq would be changed from “Operation Iraqi Freedom” to “Operation New Dawn”.
The U.S. would begin a withdrawal of large portions of its force from Iraq and move them to
Kuwait. This would begin the hand over of the defense of Iraq to Iraqi troops that had been
trained by NATO forces. Along with trucks and CH-47 Chinooks AH-64 Apache Gun-ships would
provided aerial protection against any attacks.

Apache AH-64D Specifications and Characteristics
Manufacturer/s
Hughes Helicopters - 1975/1984
McDonnell Douglas – 1984/1997
Boeing Defense, Space & Security – 1997/Present
Role – Attack Helicopter
Crew – 2 X (Pilot + Co-Pilot/Gunner)

Dimensions
Fuselage Length – 49 ft 5 in   (15.06 m)
Length/Both Rotors Turning – 58.17 ft   (17.73 m)
Width – 17 ft   (5.23 m)
Height
AH-64D NR (Non Radar) - 12.7 ft   (3.87 m)
AH-64D Longbow - 16.2 ft   (4.95 m)
Rotor Diameter – 48 ft   (14.63 m)

Performance
Power-Plants
2 X General Electric T700-GE-701C Producing 1,890 shp Per Engine
Speed
Maximum – 182 mph   (158 kts / 293 km/h)
Cruise – 165 mph   (143 kts / 265 km/h)
Range
Ferry – 1,180 mi   (1,024 nmi / 1,900 km)
Combat Radius – 300 mi   (260 nmi / 480 km)
Minimum Load Service Ceiling – 21,000 ft   (6,400 m)
Rate Of Climb – 2,500 ft/min   (12.7 m/s)

Armament
Guns – 1 X 30 mm   (1.18 in) M230 Chain Gun W/1,200 Rounds (As Part Of Area Weapon
Subsystem)
Hard Points – 4 X Pylons On Stub Wings
Rockets
Hydra 70 mm
CRV7 70 mm
APKWS 70 mm Air-To-Ground
Missiles
8 X AGM-114 Hellfire
4 X AIM-92 Stinger
Spike Missiles

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