October 25, 2013
Fort Carson unit gets Army's newest choppers
Full story: The Gazette
And the AH-64E is getting rave reviews from Fort Carson soldiers who are among the first troops to fly the new attack helicopter.
http://www.topix.com/city/fort-carson-co...t-choppers
Surprising the story has been removed about the AH-64E, or the Valor Games that were happening on Ft. Carson during the same week.
War is the only thing that is being planned for the world as attack helicopters are being bought around the world.
The AH-64 is designed to endure front-line environments and to operate during the day or night and in adverse weather via its avionics and onboard sensor suites.
These systems include the Target Acquisition and Designation System, Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS), passive infrared countermeasures, GPS, and the IHADSS.
A newer system that is replacing TADS/PNVS is Arrowhead (MTADS); it is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, a contract was issued in February 2005 to begin equipping all U.S. Apaches.
In August 2012, 24 AH-64D were equipped with the Ground Fire Acquisition System (GFAS); intended to detect and target ground-based weapons fire sources. The GFAS consists of two small sensor pods which home in on muzzle flashes; working with the AH-64D's own sensors, an infrared camera precisely locates present ground-based threats and relevant distance.
The GFAS has a 120° field of vision and is effective in all-light conditions.
The AH-64 is adaptable to numerous different roles within its context as Close Combat Attack (CCA), it has a customizable weapons loadout mounted on stub-wings for the role desired.
In addition to the 30-mm M230E1 Chain Gun, the Apache carries a range of external stores on its stub-wing pylons, typically a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, and Hydra 70 general-purpose unguided 70 mm (2.76 in) rockets.
On 21 February 2013, the 1-229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord became the first unit in the U.S. Army to field the AH-64E Apache Guardian. The battalion had received 8 helicopters since January, with a total of 24 to be received by April 2013.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) first received AH-64As in 1990, for a total fleet of 42. Also, in February 2001 reports emerged the U.S. government was investigating alleged misuse of the Apache and other US military equipment against Palestinian leaders and facilities.
In IAF service, the AH-64A was named as the Peten (Hebrew: פתן, for Cobra, while the AH-64D was named Saraph (שרף, also as "Seraph", Hebrew for venomous/fiery winged serpent).
The UK operates a modified version of the Apache Longbow initially called the Westland WAH-64 Apache, and is designated Apache AH1 by the British Army. Westland built 67 WAH-64 Apaches.
The Dutch government initially showed an interest in acquiring Apache helicopters in the late 1980s, where it stated that it may purchase as many as 52. A competition held in 1994 against the Eurocopter Tiger and the AH-1 SuperCobra led to the Royal Netherlands Air Force ordering 30 AH-64D Apaches in 1995.
In the aftermath of the Gulf War of 1991, in which many U.S. Apaches operated from bases in Saudi territory, the government of Saudi Arabia purchased twelve AH-64As for its army. In the Middle East, Israel procured the Apache in response to the 1992 Saudi purchase.
In August 2006, the Saudi Arabian government began negotiations to spend as much as $400M on Apache upgrades, possibly re-manufacturing them into the AH-64D Longbow configuration.
In September 2008, the U.S. Government approved the purchase of twelve AH-64Ds requested by Saudi Arabia. In October 2010, Saudi Arabia requested a further 70 AH-64Ds as part of a possible, massive US-Saudi arms deal.
In 1995, the Egyptian Air Force placed an order for 36 AH-64A helicopters. These Apaches were delivered with most of the advanced avionics used on the U.S. fleet at that time, with the exception of localized radio equipment.
In 2000, Boeing announced that an order to re-manufacture Egypt's existing Apache fleet to the AH-64D configuration. Notably, the AH-64D upgrade did not include the procurement of the Longbow radar, the supply of which had been refused by the U.S. government.
Egypt requested a further 12 AH-64D Block II Apaches through a Foreign Military Sale in 2009.
The United Arab Emirates purchased 30 AH-64A helicopters in 1991 and 1994,[180] which they are now upgrading to AH-64D specification.
In September 2003, Greece ordered 12 AH-64D in addition to existing fleet of 20 AH-64A+. By 1995 they had received 20 AH-64As; another 12 AH-64Ds were ordered in 2003.
Singapore purchased 20 AH-64D Longbow Apache aircraft in two batches between 1999 and 2001.
Japan ordered 50 AH-64Ds, which are being built under license by Fuji Heavy Industries, designated AH-64DJP. The first helicopter was delivered to the JGSDF in early 2006.
In 2008, the Indian Air Force (IAF) released a tender for 22 attack helicopters; there were six contending submissions - Sikorsky's UH-60 Black Hawk, Boeing's AH-64D, Bell's AH-1 Super Cobra, Eurocopter's Tiger, Mil's Mi-28 and AugustaWestland's A129 Mangusta.
Boeing and Bell initially backed out of the competition in October 2008. In 2009, the competition was restarted and Boeing submitted a new Apache proposal. In December 2010, India requested the possible sale of 22 AH-64Ds and associated equipment.
In October 2011, it was reported that the AH-64D had emerged as front-runner ahead of the Russian Mi-28N.
In April 2013, it was announced that South Korea is to purchase 36 AH-64E helicopters. The Apaches are to be delivered from 2016 to 2018.
In April 2013, it was announced that South Korea is to purchase 36 AH-64E helicopters. The Apaches are to be delivered from 2016 to 2018.
In February 2012, Indonesia's deputy minister of defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that the Indonesian National Armed Forces plans to buy eight AH-64s. On 26 August 2013, the U.S. and Indonesia formalized a deal for 8 AH-64E Apaches worth $500 million.
Qatar requested the sale of 24 AH-64D Apaches in July 2012, along with associated equipment and armament.
Iraq requested the sale of 24 AH-64s, and is waiting for congressional approval.
U.S. Army AH-64As are being converted to AH-64Ds. The service's last AH-64A was taken out of service in July 2012 before conversion at Boeing's facility in Mesa, Arizona. On 25 September 2012, Boeing received a $136.8M contract to re-manufacture the last 16 AH-64As into the AH-64D Block II version, to be completed by December 2013.
The raised position of the radome enables the detection of targets and launching of missiles while the helicopter is behind obstacles (e.g. terrain, trees or buildings).
The AN/APG-78 is capable of simultaneously tracking 128 targets and engaging the 16 most dangerous ones, and can initiate an attack within 30 seconds, while passing data on the other targets to other Longbow Apaches via data link.
Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in October 2012 the type was re-designated AH-64E and received the name Guardian.
The new designation represents the significantly increased capabilities of the upgrades featured. Full rate production was approved on 24 October 2012.
AH-64E includes the following upgrades: improved digital connectivity, the joint tactical radio system, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines, an upgraded transmission with new split-torque face gears to accommodate more power, capability to control Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs), new composite rotor blades, full IFR capability, and improved landing gear.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_AH-64_Apache
Independent journalist David Seaman reported on helicopter drills over major cities.
Media outlets in Miami and Huston have confirmed that military exercises involving helicopters took place over those cities, Seaman said, noting that social networks indicate similar drills occurred elsewhere in the country.
Gunfire was also heard by witnesses, he added. "I've lived in America my whole life and I don't remember any military helicopter drills when I was a child," Seaman stated, puzzled as to why there was not more of a reaction to this news.
He questioned claims that the exercise was to prepare for overseas combat, speculating that it may have been training to quell public unrest in the event of massive currency devaluation or an announcement of war with Iran.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HbaZUgirt8
Friendship/Love/Respect for all living things...