| The AH-64 Apache is the primary helicopter gunship | | | | tank armor. |
| of the United States Army. When it was developed, it | | | | The AH-64 is able to self deploy by attaching four 230 |
| was designed to halt a Soviet armor advance into | | | | gallon fuel tanks. A more likely scenario though is the |
| Western Europe. Several features were built into the | | | | helicopter being airlifted by a C-5, C-17, C-141 or being |
| airframe which greatly increase pilot and aircraft | | | | delivered by sea-lift. |
| survivability. | | | | Once in theater the Apache is able to operate through |
| The AH-64 is flown and fought by a crew of two. | | | | out the entire area of responsibility and is able to |
| The pilot and co-pilot sit in tandem with the pilot sitting in | | | | operate day and night in most weather conditions. |
| the rear cockpit which is slightly above the co-pilot | | | | One of the greatest advances from the AH-1 Cobra |
| gunner. Both cockpits are enclosed by a titanium tub | | | | to the AH-64 Apache is the avionics package |
| which is able to withstand hits from rounds up to | | | | especially the targeting and navigation ability of the |
| 23mm in size. | | | | helicopter. |
| The Apache is powered by two General Electric | | | | The crew uses a Target Aquisition Desigination Sight |
| T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines which produce 1890 | | | | (TADS) and a Pilot Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) to |
| shaft horsepower each. This gives the helicopter a top | | | | navigate to, target and attack the enemy. These |
| speed of 160 kts (185 mph) but more importantly the | | | | systems receive targeting data from the following |
| Apache is able to operate in hot/high conditions such | | | | three sensors: |
| as the mountains of Afghanistan and Iraq where | | | | |
| every extra bit of extra power is appreciated. | | | | 1. Day TV-Shows images in black and white. Used |
| The helicopter is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra | | | | during the daytime when low light levels are present. |
| which was developed during Vietnam and has seen | | | | 2. TADS/FLIR- Shows thermal images that are able to |
| action in numerous conflicts. It's more heavily armed | | | | be magnified. Used during day, night, and adverse |
| than the Cobra and is capable of carrying AGM-114 | | | | weather conditions |
| Hellfire missiles, Hydra rockets, AIM 92 Stinger missiles, | | | | 3. DVO- Shows full color images that can be |
| AIM 9L Sidewinder missiles as well as its M23 30mm | | | | magnified. Used during daylight and dusk conditions. |
| chain gun which is capable of penetrating main battle | | | | |