| Apache AH Mk1 | |
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| Westland Apache AH Mk1 at a UK airshow | |
| Role | Attack helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Westland (under licence) |
| Introduced | January 2001 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary user | Army Air Corps (United Kingdom) |
| Produced | 1998-2004 |
| Number built | 67 |
| Developed from | AH-64D Apache Longbow |
The AgustaWestland Apache is a licence-built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter for the British Army. The first eight helicopters were built by Boeing; the remaining 59 were assembled by Westland Helicopters (now part of AgustaWestland) at Yeovil, England from Boeing-supplied kits. Changes from the AH-64D include Rolls-Royce engines, a new electronic defensive aids suite and a folding blade mechanism allowing the British version to operate from ships. The helicopter was named "WAH-64" by Westland Helicopters. It is designated Apache AH Mk 1 (or shortened to Apache AH1) by the UK's Ministry of Defence.
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Development
The requirement for a new attack helicopter was identified in the early 1990s with initial suggestions that 125 would be ordered, however an invitation to bid was not issued until February 1993. The bids were:
- British Aerospace and Eurocopter – Tiger
- GEC-Marconi and Bell Helicopter – Cobra Venom (a version of the AH-1 SuperCobra)
- Westland and McDonnell Douglas – AH-64 Apache
- Boeing and Sikorsky – RAH-66 Comanche
- Agusta – A129 Mangusta
The Apache was selected in July 1995 and a contract for 67 helicopters was signed in 1996. The first helicopter, built by Boeing (which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997), was delivered in March 1999. The first Westland built aircraft was delivered in July 2000. The 67th and final Apache was handed over in July 2004.[1] The cost of the helicopter fleet is currently expected to be £3.1 billion, £71 million above the original approved cost. This increase is due to increased costs of trials.
Design
The UK's Strategic Defence Review called for Apaches to undertake amphibious attack missions, operating from the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the Invincible class aircraft carriers and their successors, the (Royal Navy CVF programme), and possibly the amphibious assault vessels HMS Bulwark and Albion. As such, one of the major differences between the WAH-64 and AH-64 Apache variants is the folding blade mechanism, required to stow the helicopters in the confined space onboard ships.
The Apache will serve aboard Royal Navy ships having achieved maritime certification in December 2005 aboard HMS Ocean. Then on November 17, 2006, HMS Ark Royal became the first RN aircraft carrier to land an Apache AH Mk1 at Portsmouth Naval Base.
There are other differences between them, including
- Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 01/12 engines[2] instead of the General Electric T700-GE-701Cs. The Rolls-Royce engine produces 1,565 kW (2,100 hp) vs 1,410 kW (1,890 hp) for the GE T700C engine. The 11% more power is exploited only during take-offs due to the existing Apache transmission system.[3] A new transmission system to utilise all the available power is also in development.[4]
- Anti-ice protection for rotor blades, allowing for operations in arctic environments.
- SELEX (formerly BAE Systems Avionics) Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS).
- Connectivity with the BOWMAN secure communications system.
- Capability to carry and fire 76 CRV7 rockets.
- An eye-safe training laser was developed and fitted to allow training by the Apache for target designation in the UK, as the tactical laser could not originally be used in the United Kingdom due to range restrictions. These restrictions have now been addressed and it can be used on certain ranges with appropriate safeguards and precautions.
Operational history
In British Army service, the Apache AH Mk1 will replace the Westland Lynx AH7 Anti-tank helicopters, and will be operated by two regiments of the Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC and 4 Regt AAC) as part of 16 (Air Assault) Brigade. The Apache will also operate in attack raids as US Army Apaches did on the first night of the 1991 Gulf War, destroying a major air defence node. Another mission is armed reconnaissance. Like the US AH-64D Apache Longbows; the Apache AH Mk1 carries a fire-control radar (FCR) and Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), providing an integrated surveillance and attack system. The 'Longbow’ radar is the bulbous unit over the rotor hub assembly. Radar placement above the rotors allows the Apache to hover behind cover scanning for targets, with only the radar unit exposed.[5]
The Apache's first operation tour is as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan. On May 22, 2006, a UK Apache operating in Afghanistan's South Helmand province fired one of its Hellfire missiles to destroy a French armoured vehicle that had been crippled during a firefight the previous day, as attempting to recover the vehicle would have been too hazardous. This is the first "kill" by a UK Apache in a hostile theatre. As of February 2007 there are eight Apache AH Mk1s deployed in Afghanistan.[6] These are drawn from No. 656 Squadron and No. 664 Squadron of 9 Regiment AAC, based at RAF Dishforth, which take turns to deploy for 3 months.[7]
On 13 January 2007 a 200-strong British force, led by Royal Marines, launched an operation to attack Jugroom Fort, a major Taliban concentration in southern Helmand Province.[8] After several hours of intense fighting the Marines regrouped and it was discovered that Lance Corporal Mathew Ford of 45 Commando Royal Marines was missing. A rescue mission was launched to recover Lance Corporal Ford using three volunteer Royal Marines and a volunteer Royal Engineer strapped to the aircraft wings of two Apaches. The helicopters could not be flown faster than 50 mph to ensure the safety of the extra passengers from down thrust of the rotor blades.[9] The Apaches landed under fire with one inside the compound, then the rescuers dismounted and were able to recover the body of LCpl Ford. Ford's body was flown out in the same manner that the passengers had flown in. A second pair of Apache aircraft hovered above throughout and provided suppressive fire. None of the rescuers were injured in the recovery mission and were later hailed for their bravery.[10][11]
Unlike their American counterparts in Afghanistan, the Apache AH Mk1 is being deployed with its Longbow Fire Control Radar, which enables the pilot to better manage traffic in their airspace.[12]
Operators
Specifications (Apache AH Mk1)
Data from AgustaWestland page[13] Jane's Air Forces[14]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 17.7 m (58 ft 4 in with rotors turning)
- Rotor diameter: 14.6 m (48 ft)
- Height: 3.87 m (12 ft 8 in)
- Disc area: 168.11 m² (1,809.5 ft²)
- Empty weight: 5,165 kg (11,387 lb)
- Loaded weight: 8,006 kg (17,650 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 9,525 kg (21,000 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce RTM322 turboshaft, 1,566 kW (2,100 hp) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 365 km/h (197 knots, 227 mph)
- Maximum speed: 293 km/h (158 knots, 182 mph)
- Cruise speed: 259 km/h (140 knots, 161 mph)
- Range: 1,700 km (1,121 mi)
- Service ceiling: 6,400 m (21,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 12.7 m/s (2,500 ft/min)
Armament
- Guns: M230 Chain Gun, 1156 rounds
- Missiles: Hellfire (and Stinger, Starstreak, Sidewinder/Sidearm proposed)
- Rockets: CRV7, Flechette (Tungsten dart)
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
- List of attack aircraft
- List of helicopters
- List of aviation accidents and incidents during the Iraq War
- List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
- List of aircraft of the Army Air Corps
References
- ^ "British Army Receives 67th Apache In Ceremony Held At The Farnborough Air Show 2004". AgustaWestland, 21 July 2004.
- ^ RTM 322 page, Turbomeca
- ^ APACHE IN FOREIGN SERVICE, Vectorsite.net, 1 July 2007.
- ^ Apache Moves On
- ^ Give us an enemy to fight, says chief of Britain's Apache helicopter fleet
- ^ "Parliamentary questions to The Secretary of State for Defence (Des Browne)", Hansard, February 26, 2007, 122586, http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semsimple&STEMMER=en&WORDS=apach&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=apache&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=Red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=70226-0002.htm_spnew19&URL=/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070226/debtext/70226-0002.htm#70226-0002.htm_spnew19
- ^ Calvert, Denis J. (February 2007). "Fact File: UK Air Power in Afghanistan.". Aircraft Illustrated (Ian Allan): pp. 34.
- ^ MoD news release
- ^ News Of The World article[dead link]
- ^ Helicopter rescue marines hailed
- ^ Troops made rescue bid for marine
- ^ Afghan Field Report: British WAH-64Ds. Defense Industry Daily
- ^ Apache AH Mk1, AgustaWestland.
- ^ "Boeing AH-64 Apache". Jane's: All the World's Aircraft. Jane's Information Group. 2000-10-13. http://www.janes.com/defence/air_forces/news/jawa/jawa001013_1_n.shtml. Retrieved 2006-06-17.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: AH-64 Apache |
- Westland Apache AH Mk1 (WAH 64 Apache Longbow) on Army Air Corps
- Apache on ArmyTechnology.com
- "MoD condemned for Apache delays". BBC News, 18 November 2003
- The Introduction of the Apache Helicopter, National Audit Office
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