another point is that I've never seen a comparative between the AH-64 (any version) and the EC 665 Tigre HAD
- The AH-64 has been designed as Tank killer in the hope to stop Russian amoured division
- The AH-64 is used by Army as ground support and strong point destruction, but it is not well adapted to that. For example they use no mast mounted radar in Afghanistan..!!!
- The EC 665 is designed to respond to both Anti-Armour and ground support. The German UHT is the equivalent of the AH-64D both having a mast radar on top of main rotor. the French original version is the HAP (Helicoptere Appui Protection) Ground Support version. This was upgraded to a HAD (Appui Destruction) Ground support and Destruction, which in the French concept implies capabilities to perform ground support and armour destruction missions with swapping armament (rockets vs anti armour missiles)
- Initially France ordered Both anti tank and gound support version, but in order to optimise fleet support and operational deployments, Army Avn decided to have a multimission version instead.
good information, but one point is wrong, most of Americas helicopter fleet is the Apache AH-64D which has a mast mounted radar and abot 70 to 80 percent of Americas D model apaches are operating in Afghanistan and Iraq
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Keep Low. Move Fast. First Kill. Die Last One Shot. One Kill. No Luck. Pure Skill.
The actual operation is called Operation Glacier 2, because in Ed Macy's book, the pilot who planned the mission and also flew it says that the Glacier ops consisted of nine different ops, Op Glacier 1 was to hit a Taliban compound where they brought in teir 2 and tier 3 fighters from Pakistan and Iran, and Operation Glacier 2 was to hit a Taliban staging area where they briefed and armed the new fighters who were coming into the country.
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Keep Low. Move Fast. First Kill. Die Last One Shot. One Kill. No Luck. Pure Skill.
Block III aircraft include the following upgrades: improved digital connectivity, the joint tactical radio system, enhanced engines and drive systems, capability to control UAVs, new composite rotor blade, full IFR capability and improved landing gear. The new blades, which successfully completed flight testing in May 2004, increased the Apache's cruise speed, climb rate and payload capability. The US Army now plans to field the first Block III equipped unit in November 2012. The Army awarded a contract to begin initial production of Block III helicopters in October 2010. Throughout 2011, AH-64Ds will be upgraded with VNsight low-light television sensors (LLTV), allowing ambient lighting such as street lights, beacons, and headlights to be viewable; which existing thermal imagers cannot do.
Source: Wikipedia
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Vince Johnson - A merciless enemy but a powerful ally.
Ah, the good ole Apache. Most old school Huey drivers call her a hanger queen cause Apaches spend more time in maintenance than in the air. It is a very cool looking aircraft in person though, I must admit. Here are a few shots I took of an AH-64D trainer at Ft. Rucker during my dad's last unit reunion. She is a Block II bird.
Ray
Gunner's seat. It feels more crowded in here than in a cobra, believe it or not.
pilot's Instrument Panel:
-- Edited by rotorwash on Monday 19th of September 2011 05:18:41 AM
I actually showed that above pic to Flateric, and he did a bit of research and came to the conclusion that the drawing is "pure fanart". But also recognized that the drawing style is "very close to in-house art style of McDonnell Douglas at this era, but it also can be attempt to mimic it."