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Desert Longbows

By Vertical Mag

by Skip Robinson | May 19, 2013

Published on: May 19, 2013
Estimated reading time 14 minutes, 59 seconds.

Vertical 911 visited the “Desert Hawks” of the Arizona Army National Guard to learn more about the U.S. Army’s primary attack helicopter: the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow.
For military aviators, Southern Arizona is pretty close to being the ideal place to fly. Not only do the almost-always blue skies provide a year-round invitation to take to the air, but the striking scenery provides great terrain over which to train, with lengthy deserts punctuated by steep mountain ranges. But, although the great weather in the region provides exceptional aviation opportunities, it also means six months of extremely hot temperatures from late spring through early fall (100-115 F / 37-46 C temperatures are quite normal during this time), and a very dry, dusty environment. It’s in this often unforgiving climate that the 1-285th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion of the Arizona Army National Guard puts the U.S. Army’s primary attack helicopter, the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow, through its paces. Vertical 911 recently spent some time with the 1-285th “Desert Hawks” to learn more about the capabilities of the battalion’s 24 AH-64Ds, and see how it keeps its aircraft and crews flying in the heart of the beautiful Sonoran desert.
The 1-285th base is located at the Silverbell Army heliport in Marana, Ariz., about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Tucson. It shares the heliport with the Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, which provides basic and advanced training for the National Guard AH-64 Apache, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota and Bell OH-58A/C Kiowa communities. Silverbell is also the training site for a detachment of the Republic of Singapore’s AH-64Ds.
The popularity of the Apache with armed forces around the globe, from the U.K. and the Netherlands, to Israel and Egypt, is testament to the qualities it brings to the battle. For the U.S. Army, the AH-64D’s mission in life is to support infantry troops on the ground and serve as a force multiplier for the ground commander. “Our job is to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy and keep em off balance,” 1-285th pilot and company commander Capt. Jack Denton told Vertical 911. “In the theatres we’ve operated in, that’s exactly what happened. We were told ground forces would literally cheer upon our arrival, and we noticed the enemy basically disappears from the area when we arrive. Either through our direct attacks, or just the Apache’s presence, we are the ultimate insurance policy for the troops on the ground; they know we can bring in massive directed fire onto any point they request. It’s an extremely satisfying feeling to know what a difference we can make during a battle.”
Development of the Legend
The AH-64 has spanned multiple versions since it joined the US Army inventory in 1984. The original version — the AH-64A — was delivered with two General Electric T-700-GE-701 1,690 shaft-horsepower (s.h.p.) engines that gave plenty of power for what is now considered the lighter airframe. The Apache brought a highly capable and robustly built attack helicopter to the fight. It also introduced a true night-fighter, able to find, locate, designate and destroy targets at night and in inclement weather. Carrying a nose mounted sensor suite consisting of the Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) system, the A-model Apache allowed the aircraft to do things only dreamed of a decade before. After 13 years of AH-64A service, 1997 brought the AH-64D Apache Longbow to U.S. Army aviation units. This version was equipped with a glass cockpit consisting of multi-function display screens (MFD) for both crewmembers.
Over the years and through different generations, the Apache has grown in weight, from around 11,500 pounds (5,200 kilograms) empty for the original A-model, to between 12,900 and 13,500 pounds (5,450 and 5,900 kilograms), depending on configuration, for the D-Model. The biggest physical change from the A to the D variant is the mast-mounted assembly, which includes the radar dome located above the main rotor (although this can be removed), and the associated avionics supporting it. The dome houses the AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar (FCR) target acquisition system, capable of simultaneously tracking over a hundred targets and engaging multiples at any one time. Through a data link, an FCR-equipped D-Model can pass radar data and target information to D-models that have had the FCR removed, allowing them to attack the same target. This works as a huge force multiplier and offers the mission commander great flexibility. The AH-64D has the uprated General Electric T700-GE-701C engines, producing 1,890 s.h.p., and although it doesn’t have the power-to-weight ratio of the A-model, it still performs well with similar single engine performance. 
In February 2003, the first of the upgraded AH-64D production Block II Apaches were delivered to the U.S. Army. Further upgrades included digital communications systems and digital coax wiring able to handle data that faster computer processors would send to a new moving digital map system. The new map system provided a huge increase in situational awareness, both during and after combat missions. 
During 2005, a newer version of the TADS/PNVS, called the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS), began to be equipped on all U.S. Apaches, and the system is now used throughout the Apache fleet. Although for its time the original forward looking infrared used by the TADS/PNVS was adequate, the newest M-TADS have shown to be an order of magnitude more capable, with much better resolution and image detail. A 1-285th pilot told Vertical 911 that, while the A-model’s TADS/PNVS resolution was able to show the shape of an object, the M-TADS can show the details of a man’s face from extremely long distances. “It lets us identify a target much easier and gives us better confirmation that it’s the objective we want to attack,” he said.
Tooled for the Battle
A key piece of technology introduced with the original Apache was its helmet-mounted display, known as the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS). With this, the pilot or co-pilot gunner (CPG) can aim the Apache’s underside M230 30mm chain gun, tracking it with his head movements to quickly put cannon fire on the target. The M230 can also be controlled through the TADS turret, and has been proven to be extremely accurate using either system. 
The 1-285th uses two different ammunition types for the M230: the M778 practice round for training, and the M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) round for combat operations. The Apache also carries M261 rocket launchers, each containing 19 tubes. For training, the Desert Hawks will use the “Blue Spear” target practice round, and during combat, either the M151/423 point detonating or the M255E1/439 “Flechette” anti-personnel round as primary options.
Finally the AH-64D can be armed with the well-known, and very effective, “fire and forget” AGM-114 Hellfire missile. Most commonly used by Army aviation Apache units is either the AGM-114K laser-guided or the AGM-114L radar-guided versions of these missiles. Both use a high explosive penetrating warhead.
But while the Apache is clearly tooled-up offensively, it also cuts no corners in defending its crew — the Army knew the Apaches would routinely be going into harm’s way, so it was designed with survivability in mind. With stroking armored seats, cockpit floor armor, and other armor in key strategic areas -— including a layered glass blast shield between the pilots- — the Apache is designed to protect its crew. 
Other survivability measures include the aircraft’s main transmission, which is able to run without oil for a minimum of 30 minutes, and the main rotor blades, which are designed to resist 20mm cannon and lighter arms fire. During combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan these features were proven. For electronic and laser self-defense, the aircraft carries an integrated common missile warning system (CMWS) that includes the AN/APR-39 radar warning receiver, AN/AVR-2 laser detecting system, and fuselage-mounted flare and chaff dispensers. The CMWS is able to detect and take counter measures against aircraft threats, and lets the flight crew concentrate on its mission. A recent self-protection upgrade saw the implementation of the Aviation Survivability Product Improvement program, which includes new upturned engine exhaust suppressors to further complement the aircraft’s other survivability features by reducing its overall heat signature.
Desert Hawk Apaches
At first glance, the Longbow is a mean sight. Larger than I envisioned, it has a powerful and intimidating presence. I was invited to climb into the co-pilot gunner seat of the Longbow Crew Trainer (the AH-64D simulator) to experience 
the aircraft from an operator’s perspective, and immediately I felt sensory overload. In front of me was a glass cockpit with digital displays providing more information than I could comprehend at first glance. Each pilot has two glass screens that can bring up the same information in a “page” display format, and a variety of different pages can be sorted through depending on the demands of the mission or the mode of flight. Anything from aircraft flight instruments, navigation systems, weapons control and inventories, to aircraft survivability displays, maps and target locations can be displayed at the touch of a button. In addition to the panels of information displayed before me, a helmet mounted display (HMD) provides real time performance and flight instrument data for instant interpretation, regardless of where the pilot’s attention is focused. The HMD displays the aircraft torque, airspeed, vertical speed indicator and heading, along with velocity and acceleration symbology that is calculated to predict the direction and speed of the aircraft’s movement. Additionally, the forward looking infrared (FLIR) image can be projected into the HMD to aid in targeting or navigation. Coupling the aircraft systems with the HMD data and the outside visual makes my attempt to fly the simulator a contest in multi-tasking.
Pilots in the AH-64D can opt to use standard AN/AVS-7 night vision goggles (NVGs) in addition to the installed TADS/PNVS FLIR. NVGs perform better under adverse weather conditions, where long periods of rain or snow have minimized the variation between air and ground temperatures, reducing the effectiveness of the FLIR’s thermal capabilities. TADS/PNVS provides a better flight profile due to the accuracy of the aircraft symbology, and the systems can be used simultaneously from the two crew stations. Given the complexities of cockpit management and the diverse mission profiles, survival in the AH-64D is often dependent on good crew coordination, communication and training. Capt. Will Gorosave, an AH-64D pilot recently back from a combat tour in Afghanistan, summarized his experience as, “flying the most advanced aircraft in the world, in the most complex and demanding mission, and the most austere environment possible.”
The maintenance required for the AH-64D is extensive. It’s a complicated aircraft with many systems. Fortunately, within the National Guard there is a high level of experience and knowledge dedicated to keeping the aircraft flying. “Statistically, the maintenance hours required are greater than those being flown, but this ratio is improving,” 1-285th maintenance officer CPT Joseph O’Neill told Vertical 911. “Mechanically, the AH-64D is a beast. The airframe is extremely sturdy and the drivetrain very reliable. The on-board array of processors provides up to the second aircraft health and situational awareness to the flight crews, and the weapons systems are accurate and reliable performers. Electrical and environmental control systems are where we spend most of our maintenance hours, but considering the demands we put on these systems, and especially with the heat we have in Arizona, these maintenance hours are reasonable.” 
One thing is fact: the AH-64 helicopter, in all versions, has proven itself countless times. From its combat debut during Operation Just Cause (the 1989 invasion of Panama), to Operation Desert Storm in 1991 (the removal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait), the AH-64A has always been a hard hitter. In the last decade, the AH-64D has added to the continuing legacy of excellence with its performance in combat operations in Iraq and ongoing operations in Afghanistan. The newest version of the Apache, the recently-named AH-64E Apache Guardian, is now entering service and bringing with it a substantial increase in performance and capability. When and if the E-model Apache is called to combat, troops on the ground can be assured they will indeed find a guardian in what many consider the finest attack helicopter the world has ever seen.

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