Westland WAH-64 Apache

infobox Aircraft
name = WAH-64 Apache
type = Attack helicopter
manufacturer = Westland (under licence)



caption = An Apache on display at RIAT, RAF Fairford
designer =
first flight =
introduced = January 2001
retired =
status = Active service
primary user = Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)
more users =
produced = 1998-2004
number built = 67
unit cost =
developed from = AH-64 Apache
variants with their own articles =

The Westland WAH-64 Apache is a licence-built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter for the British Army. The first eight helicopters were built by Boeing; the remaining 59 were assembled by Westland at Yeovil from Boeing-supplied kits. Changes from the AH-64D include Rolls-Royce engines and a folding blade mechanism allowing the British version to operate from ships. The WAH-64 is designated Apache AH Mk 1 or AH1 by the UK's Ministry of Defence.

Development

The requirement for a new attack helicopter was identified in the early 1990s with initial suggestions that 125 would be ordered, however an invitation to bid was not issued until February 1993. The bids were:
*British Aerospace and Eurocopter – Tiger
*GEC-Marconi and Bell Helicopter – Cobra Venom (a version of the AH-1 SuperCobra)
*Westland and McDonnell Douglas – AH-64 Apache
*Boeing and Sikorsky – RAH-66 Comanche
*Agusta – A129 Mangusta

The Apache was selected in July 1995 and a contract for 67 helicopters was signed in 1996. The first helicopter, built by Boeing (which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997), was delivered in March 1999. The first Westland built aircraft was delivered in July 2000. The 67th and final Apache was handed over in July 2004. [ [http://www.agustawestland.com/communication_det.php?id_news=137&yy=2004 "British Army Receives 67th Apache In Ceremony Held At The Farnborough Air Show 2004"] , AgustaWestland, 21 July 2004.] The cost of the helicopter fleet is currently expected to be £3.1 billion, £71 million above the original approved cost. This increase is due to increased costs of trials. The total acquisition cost of the project, including the training package, is expected to be £4.117 billion.Fact|date=July 2008

Further problems occurred when it was realised that there were not enough trained pilots for the new aircraft.Attrition replacement aircraft were put into storage at RAF Shawbury in 2004.Fact|date=July 2008

Design

The UK's Strategic Defence Review called for Apaches to undertake amphibious attack missions, operating from the helicopter carrier HMS "Ocean", the "Invincible" class aircraft carriers and their successors, the (Royal Navy CVF programme), and possibly the amphibious assault vessels HMS "Bulwark" and "Albion". As such, one of the major differences between the WAH-64 and AH-64 Apache variants is the folding blade mechanism, required to stow the helicopters in the confined space onboard ships.

The Apache will serve aboard Royal Navy ships having achieved maritime certification in December 2005 aboard HMS "Ocean". Then on November 17, 2006, HMS "Ark Royal" became the first RN aircraft carrier to land a WAH-64D Apache AH1 at Portsmouth Naval Base.

There are other differences between them, including
* Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines instead of the General Electric T700s. The Rolls-Royce engines produce nearly 25% more power than their GE counter-parts, although only exploited during take-offs due to the existing Apache transmission system. [ [http://www.vectorsite.net/avah64.html#m5 APACHE IN FOREIGN SERVICE] , Vectorsite.net, 1 July 2007.] This engine is currently under evaluation by the U.S. Government, with a view to updating their AH-64s. A new transmission system to utilise all the available power is also in development. [ [http://www.ddn.com/cgi/rw/show_mag.cgi?pub=rw&mon=0104&file=0104apache.htm Apache Moves On] ]
* Anti-ice protection for rotor blades.
* SELEX (formerly BAE Systems Avionics) Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS).
* Connectivity with the BOWMAN secure communications system is planned however is yet to be implemented.
* Capability to carry and fire CRV7 rockets.
* An eye-safe training laser was developed and fitted to allow training by the Apache for target designation in the UK, as the tactical laser could not originally be used in the United Kingdom due to range restrictions. These restrictions have now been addressed and it can be used on certain ranges with appropriate safeguards and precautions.

Operational history

In British Army service the Apache AH1 will replace the Westland Lynx AH7 Anti-tank helicopters and will be operated by two regiments of the Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC and 4 Regt AAC) as part of 16 (Air Assault) Brigade. The Apache will also operate in attack raids as US Army Apaches did on the first night of the 1991 Gulf War, destroying a major air defence node. Another mission is armed reconnaissance. Like the US AH-64D Apache Longbows; the Westland Apache carries a fire-control radar (FCR) and Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), providing an integrated surveillance and attack system. The 'Longbow’ radar is the bulbous unit over the rotor hub assembly. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/06/12/napac12.xml Give us an enemy to fight, says chief of Britain's Apache helicopter fleet] ]

The Apache's first operation tour is as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan. On May 22, 2006, a UK Apache operating in Afghanistan's South Helmand province fired one of its Hellfire missiles to destroy a French armoured vehicle that had been crippled during a firefight the previous day, as attempting to recover the vehicle would have been too hazardous. This is the first "kill" by a UK Apache in a hostile theatre. As of February 2007 there are eight WAH-64 Apaches deployed in Afghanistan. [Citation | title = Parliamentary questions to The Secretary of State for Defence (Des Browne) | journal = Hansard | date = February 26, 2007 | year = 2007 | url = http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semsimple&STEMMER=en&WORDS=apach&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=apache&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=Red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=70226-0002.htm_spnew19&URL=/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070226/debtext/70226-0002.htm#70226-0002.htm_spnew19 | id = 122586 ] These are drawn from No. 656 Squadron and No. 664 Squadron of 9 Regiment AAC, based at RAF Dishforth, which take turns to deploy for 3 months. [cite news | last = Calvert | first = Denis J. | title = Fact File: UK Air Power in Afghanistan. | work = Aircraft Illustrated | pages =34 | publisher =Ian Allan | date = February 2007]

On 13 January 2007 a 200-strong British force, led by Royal Marines, launched an operation to attack a major Taliban fort in southern Helmand Province. [ [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/MarinesAttemptDaringApacheRescueDuringAfghanistanOperationvideo.htm MoD news release] ] After several hours of intense fighting the Marines regrouped and it was discovered that Lance Corporal Mathew Ford of 45 Commando Royal Marines was missing. A rescue mission was launched to recover Lance Corporal Ford using three volunteer Royal Marines and a volunteer Royal Engineer strapped to the aircraft wings of two Apaches. The helicopters could not be flown faster than 50 mph to ensure the safety of the extra passengers from down thrust of the rotor blades. [ [http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/news/news5.shtml News Of The World article] ] The Apaches landed under fire with one inside the compound, and the four marines dismounted and were able to recover the body of LCpl Ford. Ford's body was flown out in the same manner that the Marines had flown in. A third Apache hovered above throughout and provided suppressive fire. None of the rescuers were injured in the recovery mission and were later hailed for their bravery. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6386331.stm Helicopter rescue marines hailed] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6269613.stm Troops made rescue bid for marine] ]

Unlike their American counterparts in Afghanistan, the WAH-64 is being deployed with its Longbow Fire Control Radar, which enables the pilot to better manage traffic in their airspace. [ [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/afghan-field-report-british-wah-64ds-04289/ Afghan Field Report: British WAH-64Ds - Defense Industry Daily ] ]

Operators

;UK
* British Army Air Corps

pecifications (Apache AH1)

aircraft specifications/switch
plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop

crew=2
capacity=
length main= 58 ft 4 in with rotors turning
length alt= 17.7 m
span main= 48 ft
span alt= 14.6 m
height main= 12 ft 8 in
height alt= 3.87 m
area main= 1,809.5 ft²
area alt= 168.11 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 11,387 lb
empty weight alt= 5,165 kg
loaded weight main= 17,650 lb
loaded weight alt= 8,006 kg
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 21,000 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 9,525 kg
engine (jet)=
type of jet=
number of jets=
thrust main=
thrust alt=
engine (prop)=Rolls-Royce
type of prop=RTM322 turboshafts
number of props=2
power main= 2,241 hp
power alt= 1,671 kW
max speed main= 227 mph
max speed alt= 365 km/h
cruise speed main= 180 mph
cruise speed alt= 220 km/h
never exceed speed main= 250 mph
never exceed speed alt= 402 km/h
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main= 1,121 mi
range alt= 1,700 km
ceiling main= 21,000 ft
ceiling alt= 6,400 m
climb rate main= 2,500 ft/min
climb rate alt= 12.7 m/s
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
guns= M230 Chain Gun, 1200 rounds
missiles= Hellfire (and Stinger, Starstreak, Sidewinder/Sidearm proposed)
*Rockets: CRV7

ee also

aircontent
related=
* AH-64 Apache
similar aircraft=
* Agusta A129 Mangusta
* Eurocopter Tiger
* Mil Mi-28
* WZ-10
* Denel AH-2 Rooivalk
* AH-1Z Viper
lists=
* List of attack aircraft
* List of helicopters
* List of aviation accidents and incidents during the Iraq War
* List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
* List of aircraft of the Army Air Corps
see also=
* TADS/PNVS

References

External links

* [http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0054.html British Army Apache Helicopter on armedforces.co.uk]
* [http://www.army.mod.uk/aac/equipment/attack_helicopter.htm Army Air Corps: Westland Apache AH Mk1 (WAH 64 Apache Longbow)]
* [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/apache/index.html Army Technology: Apache]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3279163.stm BBC News: MoD condemned for Apache delays]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2379501.stm BBC News: Army grounds Apache helicopters]
* [http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/01-02/01021246es.pdf National Audit Office: The Introduction of the Apache Helicopter]