Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter
A spokesman for the US Department of Defense released a message indicating that Boeing has received a contract for AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.
For the needs of the US Army, the contractor, Boeing, must supply 35 helicopters of the latest modification in the amount of $591 million.
The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade attack helicopter equipped with a wheeled landing gear and crewed by two pilots.
Helicopters are armed with a 30 mm M230 Chain Gun automatic cannon with 1,200 rounds of ammunition, located under the main landing gear, under the front of the helicopter fuselage. To accommodate weapons, 4 external hardpoints are installed, where, as a rule, AGM-114 Helifire and Hydra 70 missile launchers are mounted. To increase survivability, the helicopter is equipped with additional backup systems for duplicating the main work processes during the flight.
The AH-64 Apache model replaced the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. The latest modification of the helicopter has been produced at Boeing Defense factories from 1997 to the present. In total, more than 2,000 aircraft were produced.
In the US Army, the helicopter is the main combat vehicle, and is also used by the armed forces of Greece, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands and Singapore. Manufactured under license in the UK under the name Agusta Westland Apache.
The first examples of the Apache helicopter entered the army in 1981. After thorough testing in the field and during combat operations, they received approval for mass delivery to US Army units. During the transformations at Boeing and improvements to the project, Apache has been produced at the company's factories since 1997.
During the modernization of the helicopter, Apache modifications were produced: AH-64A, AH-64A+/D, AH-64E, WAH-64D.
The AH-64 Apache has four main rotor blades and four tail rotor blades. The crew in the helicopter cabin is located in tandem: the gunner sits in front, and the pilot sits behind on an elevated platform. Helicopters are equipped with a power plant consisting of two GE T700 turboshaft engines with a power (depending on modification) of 1696 - 2100 hp. One of the features of the Apache helicopter was the use of an integrated helmet with display of sighting systems (IHADSS). The helmet allowed the pilot to control the aiming of an automatic cannon and conduct aimed fire at the enemy.
The AH-64 is designed to perform combat missions around the clock in adverse conditions through the use of night vision systems.
About the cabin design
The Apache attack helicopter is equipped with a two-seater cabin, which is characterized by a tandem seat arrangement. The front one is intended for the second pilot-gunner, and the rear one, raised by 480 mm, is for the pilot. The lower part and sides of the cabin are covered with armor. The space between the seats became a place for a transparent partition. Kevlar and polyacrylate are used in its manufacture. This partition is capable of withstanding a direct hit from a bullet and projectile, the calibers of which vary from 12.7 to 23 mm. Thanks to this cabin design, the flight crew is provided with maximum protection.
In an effort to increase the combat survivability of the Apache helicopter, American designers in the helicopter use two independent hydraulic systems, protected fuel tanks and armored most important systems and areas.
The design of the Russian Ka-52 helicopter (according to NATO classification it is listed as “Alligator”) is characterized by a coaxial design. The cabin in this “turntable” is double. However, the seats are located side by side to each other. There are no restrictions for piloting in the Alligator. Thus, both pilots can fire and control the helicopter. The helicopter cabin is equipped with a special armored capsule. The crew can eject at an altitude of at least 4,100 m. The armored coating protects pilots from bullets of caliber no higher than 23 mm.
About weapons
The Apache can destroy enemy armored vehicles using the M230 aviation single-barrel automatic cannon of 30x113 mm caliber. Its weight is almost 57 kg. The length of the gun is 168 cm. Within one minute, the pilot can fire up to 650 shots. The fired projectile flies at a speed of 805 m/s. Communication with the gun is provided by an electric drive. Tanks are being fired on:
- A cartridge containing a high-explosive fragmentation projectile M799 and an explosive weighing 43 g.
- A cartridge that uses the M789 armor-piercing cumulative projectile. This ammunition is capable of penetrating homogeneous armor 51 mm thick.
The AN-64 uses Hellfire anti-tank missiles as its main armament. One “turntable” can accommodate up to 16 such missiles. They are located on four underwing suspensions. Missiles are designed for precision shooting at a target at a distance of no more than 11 thousand meters. Since the maximum range of tank missiles does not exceed 5 thousand m, heavy machine guns 1.5 km, the Apaches, according to experts, can be considered inaccessible to these enemy guns. Unable to destroy the AN-64 and the Igla, Verba and Stinger anti-aircraft missile launch systems.
The Russian “spinner” is equipped with:
- Twelve Vikhr anti-tank missiles. They move towards the target at a speed of 400 m/s. Russian missiles are capable of destroying an enemy tank from a distance of up to 8 thousand meters. They penetrate 95 mm thick armor.
- Small arms and cannon weapons, which are represented by a movable 2A42 gun of 30 mm caliber. The gun is loaded with 460 shells. The weight of one is 39 g. The projectile moves towards the target at a speed of 980 m/s. The gun is effective at a distance of up to 4 km.
- Unguided missile weapons of 80 and 122 mm caliber.
- Four R-73 and Igla-V air-to-air guided missiles.
About the features of the American car
The US Apache helicopter is equipped with spaced, interchangeable engines. Since their operation generates thermal radiation, the designers, in order to reduce its impact, developed a special screen exhaust device for the helicopter. Its task is to mix cold outside air with hot exhaust.
The bow of the “turntable” became a place for the location of a video camera, a laser system responsible for measuring the distance to the target and illuminating it, a thermal imager and a movable gun mount. To attach the above elements to the Apache helicopter, a special turret is used. By equipping the “turntable” with an X-shaped tail rotor, the developers managed to reduce noise. In addition, different angles are provided for the location of the blades. As a result, each blade dampens some of the noise produced by the other. According to experts, a double propeller is much quieter than a single one.
The Apache helicopter model uses a landing gear as the main supports. The ability to remove it is not structurally provided. This landing gear contains powerful shock absorbers, the purpose of which is to prevent injury to the flight crew by absorbing impact energy in the event of an emergency landing. The vertical speed should not exceed 12 m/s.
In combat, the Apache helicopter is reliably protected from missiles containing an infrared homing head. This became possible thanks to a special infrared countermeasures system ALQ-144, whose task is to throw out IR traps.
What is the American helicopter equipped with?
The AN-64 is equipped with powerful electronic equipment. Flight crew training takes place on a special simulator. The Apache helicopter is equipped with a TADS system, which provides detection and target designation, and represents the main combat power of the helicopter. In addition, for the helicopter, American military designers developed the PNVS night vision system and the INADSS integrated helmet-mounted system, with the help of which small arms and missiles are activated by turning the head. The main system is equipped with a laser pointer-rangefinder. The ability to track terrain to avoid detection by the enemy during combat missions has become available thanks to the more advanced FLIR-PNVS system.
Acquaintance
The AN-64 Apache helicopter is the first army combat vehicle, the purpose of which is to ensure interaction with ground forces stationed at the front line. In addition, the use of shock “turntables” was envisaged to counter enemy tanks. Apache helicopters (a photo of the vehicle is presented in the article) were created specifically for offensive operations and supporting ground troops in all weather conditions.
In a modern army, an attack helicopter is an indispensable and truly universal machine. For reconnaissance of concentrations of enemy ground forces, coordination of combat units from the air and destruction of armored vehicles, “turntables” are perfect. Today there is correspondence rivalry between the two leading armies in the world: the Russian Federation and the United States of America. Therefore, it is quite logical that many military experts compare the Apache helicopters and the Ka-52, developed by Russian designers.
About serial production
In 1981, the design of the Apache military helicopter was completely completed. Serial production of “turntables” began in 1984. A plant was built specifically for the production of AN-64 in Arizona in the city of Mesa. Initially, the production of “turntables” was carried out by the aviation industry and its helicopter manufacturing branch. However, soon the right to serial production of the AN-64 passed to the MacDonell-Douglas Corporation. The Apache helicopter (helicopter photo below) is one of the best attack combat vehicles in the world, which entered service with the first squadron in 1986.
Three years later, these “turntables” were used to staff the country’s National Guard. Serial production of helicopters was completed in 1994. In total, the American military industry built 827 AN-64s. The production of one combat unit cost the state $15 million. Russia has to spend 16 million to produce one Alligator.
About modifications
The American helicopter is available in several versions:
- "Sea Apache" AN-64A. This “turntable” model provides anti-submarine defense for the American Navy and Marine Corps. In addition, the helicopter conducts reconnaissance activities. The helicopter carries out flights over distances of up to 240 thousand meters, searching for and destroying enemy ships. This combat vehicle is also used in situations where it is necessary to cover the landing of airborne troops. 18 Sea Apache units were purchased by Israel, 12 by Saudi Arabia, 24 by Egypt, 12 by Greece. In addition, several "turntables" are used in South Korea and Kuwait.
- "Apache Bravo" AN-64V. Represents a more improved previous model. During the design, the designers used the experience of using “turntables” in the Persian Gulf. In this helicopter model, the developers changed the cabin layout and increased the wing span. Due to more powerful engines and external tanks, the helicopter can carry out combat missions, the range of which has now increased by 200 thousand meters. The military industry of the United States has produced 254 combat vehicles.
- AN-64S. The Vertushka is an intermediate option between the AN-64A and Apache Longbow models. The helicopter underwent a 2000-hour test program in 1993. It was planned to modernize 308 combat vehicles. However, in 1993 the program was closed.
- AN-64D Longbow Apache. It is an improved model AN-64A. It is considered the second main modification of the Apache. The main feature of this “turntable” is the presence of the AN/APG-78 radar system. Its location was a special streamlined container above the main rotor. In addition, the helicopter is equipped with reinforced engines and new on-board equipment. It has been in service with the US Army since 1995.
