The AH64 attack helicopter, originally intended as a tank-killer has seen combat service around the world starting with a dramatic debut on the first night of the air war in Iraq taking out the air defences for the 'shock and awe’ opening of the first Gulf War. Progress from the A to the D has now arrived at the latest AH-64E. Already an extremely potent weapon the E is now very much more capable.
The E model progress includes better flight performance, the wiring harnesses has dropped two miles of wiring compared to the D model and incorporates quick-change connectors to speed up the repair of battle damage, along with other major digital upgrades. This includes full IFR capability, as well as Link 16 giving the crew the ability to remotely control two-types of UAVs in manned/unmanned teaming known as (MUM-T).
This new concept been proving itself in US combat operations in Afghanistan by allowing crews to sit in their aircraft on a FARP while controlling a Grey Eagle UAV some 50-60miles away. They can survey an area of operations, noting activity, familiarise themselves with the situation and terrain, then adjust fuel and weapon load-out before taking off. They then arrive on station fasted than before due to the uprated T-700-GE-701D engines, composite rotor blades and new drive train.
The US E's are now improving this with an update, MUM-TX, which will expand control of the US Army's Shadow and Grey Eagle UAVs and allow Apaches to 'possess' any US unmanned asset on the battlefield and control it.
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