The AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with reverse-tricycle landing gear, and tandem cockpit for a crew of two. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the AH-1 Cobra. First flown on 1 October 1975, the AH-64 features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems. The Apache is armed with a 30 mm M230 Chain Gun carried between the main landing gear, under the aircraft's belly. The AH-64 also carries a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire and Hydra 70 rocket pods on four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons. The AH-64 also features double- and triple-redundant aircraft systems to improve survivability for the aircraft and crew in combat, as well as improved crash survivability for the pilots. .
AH-64 Apache Specifications
General characteristics
Crew: 2: pilot, CPG (co-pilot/gunner)
Length: 58.17 ft (with both rotors turning)
Rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in
Height: 12.7 ft
Empty weight: 11,387 lb
Loaded weight: 17,650 lb
Max takeoff weight: 23,000 lb
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-701 and later upgraded to T700-GE-701C (1990-present) & T700-GE-701D (AH-64D block III) turboshafts, -701: 1,690 shp, -701C: 1,890 shp, -701D: 2,000 shp (-701: 1,260 kW, -701C: 1,490 kW, -701D: 1,490 kW) each
Fuselage length: 49 ft 5 in
Rotor systems: 4 blade main rotor, 4 blade tail rotor in non-orthogonal alignment
Performance
Never exceed speed: 197 knots (227 mph)
Maximum speed: 158 knots (182 mph)
Cruise speed: 143 knots (165 mph)
Combat radius: 260 nmi (300 mi)
Ferry range: 1,024 nmi (1,180 mi)
Service ceiling: 21,000 ft
Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min
Armament
Guns: 1 × 30 x 113 mm M230 cannon, 1,200 rounds
Rockets: Hydra 70 FFAR rockets
Missiles: combination of AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-92 Stinger, and AIM-9 Sidewinder
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