INVESTMENT COMPONENT
Modernization
Recapitalization
Maintenance
Conducts armed reconnaissance, close combat, mobile strike, and vertical maneuver missions when required, in day, night, obscured battlefield, and adverse weather conditions.
The AH-64D Longbow Apache (LBA) is the Army’s only heavy attack helicopter for both the current and Future Force. Capable of destroying armor, personnel, and material targets in obscured battlefield conditions the Longbow Apache is a 2-engine, 4-bladed, tandem-seat attack helicopter with 30mm cannon, Hydra 70 2.75-inch rockets, laser, and Radio Frequency (RF) HELLFIRE missiles. It upgrades 634 Apaches into AH-64D Longbow Block III configuration with procurement of 259 Fire Control Radars (FCRs). There will also be 56 new Block III aircraft built to meet force requirements.
The fleet includes the A model Apache and D model Longbow, with the A model fleet mostly consumed by the Longbow remanufacturing program. The last A model was inducted into the remanufacture line in July 2012. The remanufacture line uses the A model and incorporates a millimeter-wave FCR, fire-and-forget radar-guided HELLFIRE missiles, and other cockpit management and digitization enhancements.
The Longbow is undergoing recapitalization modifications such as upgraded forward-looking infrared technology, non-line-of-sight communications, video transmission/reception, and maintenance cost reductions. Longbow supports Brigade Combat Teams across the full spectrum of warfare. Apache is fielded to Active Army, National Guard and Army Reserve attack battalions, armed reconnaissance battalions, and cavalry units as defined in the Army Modernization Plan.
The Longbow Apache Block III (AB3) meets all the requirements for Army and Joint interoperability goals for the future and will add significant combat capability while addressing obsolescence issues, ensuring the aircraft remains a viable combat multiplier beyond 2035.
The Block III modernized Longbows will be designed and equipped with an open systems architecture to incorporate the latest communications, navigation, sensor, and weapon systems.
Combat mission speed: Longbow 145 knots (max speed); AB3 164 knots (max speed)
Combat range: 260 nautical miles
Combat endurance: 2.5 hours
Maximum gross weight: 20,260 pounds
Ordnance: 16 HELLFIRE missiles, 76 2.75-inch rockets, and 1,200 30mm chain gun rounds
Crew: Two (pilot and copilot gunner)
In this Publication
Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT), Aircraft System (UAS), HELLFIRE Family of Missiles, 2.75 Inch Rocket Systems (Hydra), Air Warrior (AW), Joint Tactical Radio System Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station (JTRS AMF), Laser HELLFIRE, Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV)
Other Major Interdependencies
TCDL, Link 16, JSTARS, AWACS, GPS, AMPS, DCGS-A, GCCS-A, BFT, Have Quick, SATCOM, SINCGARS, Land Warrior, M-1 Tank, M-2 Bradley, Stryker, Fire Support, UH-60, CH-47, A2C2S, OH-58D, ERMP UAS
ACQUISITION PHASE
Technology Development
Engineering & Manufacturing Development
Production & Deployment
Operations & Support
Egypt, Greece, Israel, Kuwait, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates
Direct commercial sales:
Greece, Japan, United Kingdom
Airframe: Boeing (Mesa, AZ)
MTADS: Lockheed Martin (Orlando, FL)
REU: Lockheed Martin (Orlando, FL)
Northrop Grumman (Linthicum, MD)
APU: Honeywell (Phoenix, AZ)
Technical: Aviation and Missile Solutions, LLC (Huntsville, AL)
FCR: Longbow LLC (Orlando, FL)
Radar: Northrop Grumman (Linthicum, MD)
Logistics: AEPCO (Huntsville, AL)
TADS/PNVS: Lockheed Martin (Goodyear, AZ)
Programmatics: DynCorp (Fort Worth, TX)
EGI: Honeywell (Clearwater, FL)
LRUs: Smiths (Clearwater, FL)
IPAS: Honeywell (Tempe, AZ)
