Modernized Apache: New AH-64E Helicopter Upgrade Option

AH-64 attack helicopters of the Modernized Apache version

Boeing has revealed its plans for the further development of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. Simultaneously with the work on the current modernization project, a new version of the upgrade is being developed. As part of the project, so far referred to as Modernized Apache, it is proposed to redesign the helicopter and replace some of the units, as well as introduce new components and systems. All this will improve the basic tactical, technical, combat and operational characteristics.

Another modernization

The AH-64 attack helicopter entered service with the US Army in the mid-eighties and has since been repeatedly upgraded. So, at the moment, the current version of this machine is the AH-64E. In the middle of the last decade, a small upgrade project, Capability Version 4, was implemented. Since 2018, Boeing has been working on a new update, Ver. 6., and by 2026 the entire fleet of helicopters will undergo a similar revision.

On October 10, the Boeing press service announced the launch of a new modernization project called the Modernized Apache. Its goal is to update the design, improve technical characteristics and obtain new features. At the same time, the project will take into account the plans of the Pentagon to upgrade the helicopter fleet.

A new "ecosystem" is currently being created for the US Army aviation Future Vertical Lift technique. The FVL system will include several advanced helicopters and convertiplanes with different capabilities and improved performance. For obvious reasons, the army will not immediately receive the desired amount of such equipment. Accordingly, for some time these aircraft will be operated together with the existing AH-64E.

Drill AH-64 uses weapons

In this regard, Boeing proposes to carry out another upgrade of the Apaches. It will extend the service life of such helicopters, as well as ensure the simultaneous and joint operation of old and new equipment. Due to this, the operational and combat capabilities of the helicopter fleet during the transition to FVL will be maintained at the required level and some typical problems will be avoided.

The developer company has not yet announced whether the Modernized Apache project has received support from the military department. In addition, she is not ready to name even the approximate timing of its implementation. Apparently, the new update project will be linked in time to the current Ver.6, and its first results will appear no earlier than 2025-26.

Update Methods

In an official press release, the developer company revealed the main ideas and proposals of the Modernized Apache project. In addition, the appearance of the updated helicopter has been published - so far in the form of an image from the artist. Some details of such a drawing complement other information about the project.

As part of the new project, it is proposed to update the design of the airframe. It should be easier and cheaper to operate and repair. At the same time, it is necessary to preserve some characteristics and increase others. The helicopter will receive an upgraded transmission, which in the future will allow the use of a promising Improved Turbine Engine (ITE) turboshaft engine. How soon the implementation of ITE will begin has not yet been specified.

Airborne radar equipment will be rebuilt according to the principle of "modular open system" Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). This architecture will further simplify and accelerate the integration of new systems and devices. It is planned to modernize the lighting systems of the situation, incl. taking into account work in different conditions. The modernization of the equipment used in solving combat missions will continue. Network-centric capabilities will improve and the workload on the crew will be reduced.

It is planned to expand the range of used ammunition. The existing missiles will be complemented by unmanned aerial vehicles of the promising Air Launched Effects (ALE) family. In the future, the integration of the so-called. directed energy systems such as combat lasers.

The illustration for the press release clarifies some of the data, and also provides new information. The painted helicopters are generally similar to the current AH-64E, but have several characteristic differences that can significantly affect performance and capabilities.

The modernization of the power plant affects not only the transmission. Changes in the design of the exhaust units of the engines are visible. They will be redesigned to reduce thermal visibility. Perhaps this is due to plans to introduce ITE engines.

The helicopter is still equipped with a radar with an over-hub antenna. At the same time, the antenna radome differs from the current units. Perhaps Boeing plans to replace the AN / APG-78 Longbow locator with a promising analogue.

Regular wing with two hardpoints

The new engine and transmission will increase the carrying capacity - combat load and ammunition load. In this regard, the improved Apache gets a larger wing and an additional hardpoint under each plane. Under the wing of the drawn helicopter, an external fuel tank, launchers with a large number of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, a unified Common Launch Tube (CLT) transport and launch container, and, probably, a containerized combat laser are shown.

New look

It's easy to see how Modernized Apache will differ from the current AH-64E v.6. At the same time, attention should be paid to several main features of such a project, which will make a major contribution to the growth of characteristics and the achievement of new opportunities.

First of all, these are measures aimed at increasing the situational awareness of the crew. It is planned to replace the radar, possibly new optical instruments will be used. In addition, the helicopter will be able to launch ALE reconnaissance UAVs and receive data from them. All this will increase the range of illumination of the situation and the detection of ground or air targets. At the same time, the presence drones will allow continuous surveillance with minimal risks for the helicopter and its pilots.

It is also proposed to improve the means of communication and management to expand network-centric capabilities. This means that the helicopter crew will receive a more detailed picture of the battlefield, supplemented by information from third-party sources. In addition, each Modernized Apache will similarly assist other combat units.

In the context of the weapons complex, the introduction of the ALE unmanned system is of greatest interest. It includes compact UAVs for various purposes, capable of conducting reconnaissance or attacking targets. Such drones can be a successful and useful addition to standard guided missiles, and in some situations, successfully replace them.

It is proposed to introduce weapon based on new physical principles, but this, apparently, is a matter of the distant future. The purpose of the combat laser is unclear. Probably, it is planned to be used as a means of protection against missiles or to influence enemy optical instruments. A laser in a container, for obvious reasons, cannot replace air-to-surface missiles.

Plans for the future

Thus, Boeing continues the development of the AH-64 attack helicopter. In the recent past, another Version 6 modernization project was developed, and the equipment has already begun to be updated according to it. Without waiting for the completion of this work, the development company begins the creation of the next Modernized Apache project.

Whether this development will find a place in the plans of the Pentagon is not yet known. Boeing is optimistic and expects to receive a full order, and it has reason to be positive. With all its advantages, the FVL family is not yet ready for production, and the transition to it will be completed only in the indefinite future. Accordingly, "Apache" will remain in the army for a long time - and it should be updated in a timely manner.

Comments

[Igor Borisov_2]

The Americans managed to create a fairly successful helicopter

[Civil]

1. Integration with many UAVs.
2. Control point of the battlefield.
3. Is it necessary in the new conditions manned helicopter?

[cold wind]

Quote: Civil

3. Is it necessary in the new conditions manned helicopter?

A helicopter with pilots is still needed. So far, nothing provides such plasticity and versatility of application.
The question is what should it be? Combat radius under 700-1000 km, optional unmanned vehicles, full integration into network-centric systems, control center for UAVs and unmanned helicopters, missile armament 30+ km, self-defense weapons.
Everything is individually implemented, it remains to finish and launch in a series.
It’s more difficult with the platform, Apache is already at the limit, but it can still pull it out. Replacement options are also being worked out.

[garri-lin]

If everything that you have listed is to be assembled on one platform, then it does not have to be a drummer .. An adequate transport worker will also do. With all these bells and whistles, the enemy does not need to show himself to the eye. Opportunities allow.

[Havoc]

Quote: Civil

1. Integration with many UAVs.
2. Control point of the battlefield.
3. Is it necessary in the new conditions manned helicopter?

Without pilot aviation, it is only good when the conflict is limited and the opponents do not have the ability to destroy each other's satellite constellation. In the event of a big war, everything that is geared towards using GPS will lose its relevance. HIMARS will turn into ordinary "Hurricanes" there will be nothing to correct it.

[cold wind]

Quote: Havoc

opponents there is no possibility of destroying each other's satellite constellation.

Basically, no one has such an opportunity. China and the United States may appear in the next decade, in our theory in 30-40 years, we need to catch up with the leading countries of the world to their current level.

Quote: Havoc

In the event of a big war, everything that is geared towards using GPS will lose its relevance. HIMARS will turn into ordinary "Hurricanes" there will be nothing to correct it.

Here is a big war going on, all our resources are in it. So what? They all work great.
Unfortunately, there are laws of physics and they are not subject to propaganda.

[Havoc]

Quote from cold wind

Basically, no one has such an opportunity. China and the United States may have it in the next decade, in our theory in 30-40 years, we need to catch up with the leading countries of the world to their current level

Even Khrushchev had such an opportunity, and Nudol has already been tested, so about 30-40 years this is nonsense.

Quote from cold wind

Here is a big war going on, all our resources are in it. So what? They all work great.
Unfortunately, there are laws of physics and they are not subject to propaganda.

Again, write nonsense, no one touches their tracking satellites, the Internet through which troops are commanded, and AWACS is constantly in the air, in a real war it will all go astray in the first place.
I wonder what laws of PHYSICS you are talking about here.

[cold wind]

Quote: Havoc

I wonder what laws of PHYSICS you are talking about here.

Yes, about the ordinary ones that surround us. Which do not allow Nudol with a starting mass 9,6 tons throw cargo higher 800 km.
For reference, USA-243, a WGS (Wireband Global SATCOM) series military communications satellite, is accessing the GSO at altitude 35 786 km. Satellites of the NAVSTAR system, which supports the GPS system, circulate in circular orbits at a height 20 180 km. In order for the payload to fly to the GSO, a rocket is required that is comparable to the Japanese H-II rocket, with a launch weight 289 tons. For example, Proton 9 had this mass 695 tons, and Falcon up to 550 tons.

So alas and ah, reality and dreams are two different things. We have physics here, you know.

[Havoc]

Quote from cold wind

Quote: Havoc

I wonder what laws of PHYSICS you are talking about here.

Yes, about the ordinary ones that surround us. Which do not allow Nudol with a starting mass 9,6 tons throw cargo higher 800 km.
For reference, USA-243, a WGS (Wireband Global SATCOM) series military communications satellite, is accessing the GSO at altitude 35 786 km. Satellites of the NAVSTAR system, which supports the GPS system, circulate in circular orbits at a height 20 180 km. In order for the payload to fly to the GSO, a rocket is required that is comparable to the Japanese H-II rocket, with a launch weight 289 tons. For example, Proton 9 had this mass 695 tons, and Falcon up to 550 tons.

So alas and ah, reality and dreams are two different things. We have physics here, you know.

Why post an article here with VO for 2019, or do you have access to state secrets and you know all the performance characteristics of Nodul, that the Americans determined 9,6 tons and 800 km. This is their analytics, it’s bad to talk about what there are no normal data. Yes, and it is not necessary to destroy satellites from the ground, this can be done in space Khrushchev's "bucket of bolts" has not been canceled by anyone, just then there is nothing to do there.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Havoc

Why post an article here with VO for 2019, or do you have access to state secrets and you know all the performance characteristics of Nodul, that the Americans determined 9,6 tons and 800 km. This is their analytics, it’s bad to talk about what there are no normal data.

There is data. And they are called "laws of physics".
In our reality, with its laws of physics, in order to work from the Earth on the GSO, for the time being, you need to have a rocket weighing around 300 tons.

[Havoc]

Quote: Alexey RA

Quote: Havoc

Why post an article here with VO for 2019, or do you have access to state secrets and you know all the performance characteristics of Nodul, that the Americans determined 9,6 tons and 800 km. This is their analytics, it’s bad to talk about what there are no normal data.

There is data. And they are called "laws of physics".
In our reality, with its laws of physics, in order to work from the Earth on the GSO, for the time being, you need to have a rocket weighing around 300 tons.

Well, why write nonsense, that is, Falcon 9, which displays GPS satellites, maybe, but our Proto-M is not?

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Havoc

Well, why write nonsense, that is, Falcon 9, which displays GPS satellites, maybe, but our Proto-M is not?

And what about the "Protons"? It was about the capabilities of mobile anti-satellite systems, such as "Nudoli".

Quote: Havoc

Even Khrushchev had such an opportunity, and Nudol has already been tested, so about 30-40 years this is nonsense.

Quote: Havoc

Why post an article here with VO for 2019, or do you have access to state secrets and you know all the performance characteristics of Nodul, that the Americans determined 9,6 tons and 800 km. This is their analytics, it’s bad to talk about what there are no normal data.

And I wrote precisely about the fact that, based on the laws of physics, mobile missile defense systems at the moment will not reach the GSO. For this requires a rocket with a mass of at least 300 tons.
And even more - because "Falcon 9" in all variants (from 318 to 549 tons) does not reach the GSO. She needs a Falcon Heavy.

[Havoc]

Quote: Alexey RA

And I wrote precisely about the fact that, based on the laws of physics, mobile missile defense systems at the moment will not reach the GSO. For this requires a rocket with a mass of at least 300 tons.

Opanki and how many nicknames you have on VO, it’s very convenient to start a few nicknames and plus yourself. And you, my friend, are a sharpie, so you earned your big star. Started as GoldWind and ended as Alexey RA.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Havoc

Opanki and how many nicknames you have on VO, it’s very convenient to start a few nicknames and plus yourself. And you, my friend, are a sharpie, so you earned your big star.

As I understand it, the arguments ended before they began - and the transition to personalities began? Well, the drain is counted.
By the way, who screams the loudest?stop the thief!"?

Quote: Havoc

Started as GoldWind and ended as Alexey RA.

That is, the idea that several people with a similar position can oppose you does not occur to you? Sadly.
Or do you think that in an open discussion only one person can answer you, and the rest are his clones? Even sadder.

In general, since you have revealed the "sharper" - then write a complaint to the Administration about the violation of paragraph d) of the Rules of the site.

The site is strictly prohibited:
(...)
d) Have multiple accounts per visitor;

And her decision will be irrefutable proof whether we are clones with GoldWind or not.
Otherwise, everyone who believes that 2x2 = 4 can also be considered one person under different nicknames.

[Havoc]

Quote: Alexey RA

And I wrote precisely about the fact that, based on the laws of physics

"I wrote" you accurately indicated who wrote it, you just got confused in your nicknames, now why play around.

Quote: Alexey RA

And I wrote precisely about the fact that, based on the laws of physics, mobile missile defense systems at the moment will not reach the GSO. For this requires a rocket with a mass of at least 300 tons.
And even more - because "Falcon 9" in all variants (from 318 to 549 tons) does not reach the GSO. She needs a "Falcon Heavy"

Falcon 9 Launch Vehicle Successfully Launches GPS III SV03 Satellite into Orbit!⁠⁠
The launch took place on June 30 at 23:10 Moscow time from the SLC-40 pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. SpaceX has launched a GPS lll SV03 "Columbus" global positioning system satellite with a mass of ~ 4 tons into medium Earth orbit. The launch was carried out in the interests of the US Space Force (USSF), the launch was made by the Falcon-9 rocket https://pikabu.ru/story/paketanositel_falcon_9_uspeshno_vyivela_na_orbitu_sputnik_gps_iii_sv03_7556906
Actually, the original question was whether the Russian Federation could shoot down GPS satellites

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Havoc

"I wrote" you accurately indicated who wrote it, you just got confused in your nicknames, now why play around.

And rewind one message above is no longer fate?

Quote: Alexey RA

There is data. And they are called "laws of physics".
In our reality, with its laws of physics, in order to work from the Earth on the GSO, for the time being, you need to have a rocket weighing around 300 tons.

Quote: Havoc

Actually, the original question was whether the Russian Federation could shoot down GPS satellites

And you cited "Nudol" as an example. After that, the conversation turned to the fact that only the ninth Falcon will reach the orbits of the Navstars, and only the Falcon Heavy will reach the GEO.
And mobile PKO systems are only low-orbit targets.

[Havoc]

Quote: Alexey RA

And you cited "Nudol" as an example. After that, the conversation turned to the fact that only the ninth Falcon will reach the orbits of the Navstars, and only the Falcon Heavy will reach the GEO.
And mobile PKO systems are only low-orbit targets.

With 550 with the Nodul rocket, it is still working in low orbit (although no one really knows anything), but all the so-called spy satellites, everything just works in this range. And the Americans have so many of them that the information goes in real time, destroying some of the satellites, you can blind the enemy, i.e. there will be no one to transmit the coordinates of the targets. For GPS satellites, there are fighter satellites tested back in 1980; Proton-M throws four tons to this height. GLONAS flies a little lower, and that's because the orbit is busy.
And even when the C 500 was created, it was announced that these systems could be used to fight meteorites, and it was pointless to shoot down meteorites in low orbits.

[Maxim G]

It is necessary.
European drones-helicopters so far work only with ship-based helicopters, i.e. over the sea, where the flight conditions are completely different.
And they are not intended for actual combat.

Their tasks: reconnaissance, target designation, the fight against submarines and surface ships.

VSR700 based on civilian CABRI G2.

[Konnick]

These helicopters can already launch guided missiles from UAVs without entering the affected area from MANPADS and being at heights invisible to the radar.

[cold wind]

The launch and control of these UAVs from a helicopter has also been worked out. The range of weapons is expanding, we need to keep the firepower, so we need more suspensions.

[spirit]

Americans are quick to learn from their mistakes and those of others.
The main direction is the reduction of operating costs, and the integration of all equipment into a single information field

[barbiturate]

The Americans are building a helicopter to suit their capabilities, they monitor the enemy from space and UAVs around the clock and with a resolution that we never dreamed of, so they will quickly knock out all the enemy’s air defense and such helicopters will not be very bad.
In our case, it is necessary to develop strike UAVs, not helicopters, the war in Ukraine clearly shows this when helicopters suffer heavy losses from any air defense and most often they simply work as nurses "somewhere there" from a pitch-up, completely aimlessly from maximum ranges. It's the same with manned aircraft.

[koralevviktor]

Apaches produced a fairly large number. It is doubtful that the Pentagon, knowing the modernization plans, would have done this. Maybe there's a secret behind it all.

[Zaurbek]

Apache in size and weight is approaching our helicopters. 3300hp engines are planned for new Apaches