Notes: The AH-1G
Cobra is the former standard US attack helicopter, developed in Vietnam, and
still in service with many western-aligned nations, as well as former US allies
such as Iran. The AH-1G has a
single engine. It is not equipped
with the guidance equipment necessary for using ATGMs or the sensors necessary
for using air-to-air missiles. No
ejection seats are provided, and the aircraft is not capable of in-flight
refueling.
The AH-1J
SeaCobra was the first version for the US Marines.
It uses two engines instead of one, and though it was not initially
capable of using the TOW ATGM, this capability was retrofitted later.
The minigun and grenade launcher was replaced by a 3-barreled 20mm M-197
autocannon.
The AH-1Q is an
AH-1G with additional sighting and armament systems to enable it to carry and
use the TOW ATGM.
The AH-1S is the
result of continual improvements in the AH-1G, in service with the US Army until
the advent of the Apache. It is
still in service with many present and former US allies, as well as Reserve and
National Guard units. The rounded
canopy glass was highly reflective, so it was replaced by flat glass panels.
It was equipped to carry TOW ATGM.
The AH-1E is
not, as the designation might lead you to believe, an earlier model of the
Cobra. It is also known as the
“upgunned AH-1S,” and differs from the standard AH-1S primarily in the
replacement of the minigun/grenade launcher chin turret with one mounting a
3-barreled 20mm M-197 autocannon, as on the SeaCobra.
It has a composite rotor with diagonal tips.
Like the AH-1E,
the AH-1F SuperCobra is not an early model of Cobra.
It is a further upgraded AH-1E, also known as the “Modernized AH-1S.”
It has some of the latest attack helicopter hardware and computer
software, and is capable of using Hellfire missiles.
The AH-1P is
also a version of the AH-1S; it is an AH-1S equipped with a new composite rotor,
improved instrument panel layout, inertial navigation, radar altimeter, and
better radios.
The AH-1R is an
AH-1G with a more powerful engine.
The AH-1T
Improved SeaCobra is a version of the AH-1J, with more sophisticated combat
equipment and a more powerful and fuel-efficient engine, and an armored cockpit
and Kevlar anti-spall liner.
The AH-1T+
SuperCobra is an AH-1T with more powerful engines and the ability to use
Hellfire missiles and air-to-air missiles.
The AH-1W
SuperCobra is a version of the Cobra, used by the US Marines, who believe it is
every bit as good as the Apache. It
has all the improvements of the AH-1T, and has twin engines and an EW suite in
addition to those improvements. The
aircraft has no ejection seats and cannot be refueled in air.
The AH-1Z King
Cobra has a 4-bladed rotor and upgraded avionics, including a fully computerized
and integrated attack and defense suite, and GPS.
Composite construction makes it considerably lighter.
Twilight 2000
Notes: The AH-1T+, AH-1E, AH-1P, and AH-1Z do not exist.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
AH-1E |
$1,167,090 |
AvG |
1.12 tons |
6.64 tons |
2 |
13 |
Image Intensification, Passive IR |
Enclosed |
AH-1F |
$1,918,354 |
AvG |
1.12 tons |
6.69 tons |
2 |
14 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
AH-1G |
$814,894 |
AvG |
775 kg |
4.31 tons |
2 |
12 |
Passive IR |
Enclosed |
AH-1J |
$553,078 |
AvG |
419 kg |
4.54 tons |
2 |
12 |
Passive IR |
Enclosed |
AH-1P |
$1,037,586 |
AvG |
775 kg |
4.31 tons |
2 |
12 |
Passive IR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
AH-1Q |
$1,002,135 |
AvG |
775 kg |
4.34 tons |
2 |
12 |
Passive IR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
AH-1R |
$824,622 |
AvG |
775 kg |
4.82 tons |
2 |
12 |
Passive IR |
Enclosed |
AH-1S |
$1,006,730 |
AvG |
775 kg |
4.44 tons |
2 |
14 |
Image Intensification, Passive IR |
Enclosed |
AH-1T |
$1,794,324 |
AvG |
1.45 tons |
6.53 tons |
2 |
12 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
AH-1T+ |
$1,798,306 |
AvG |
1.45 tons |
6.98 tons |
2 |
12 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
AH-1W |
$2,472,041 |
AvG |
755 kg |
7.62 tons |
2 |
16 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
AH-1Z |
$2,695,650 |
AvG |
2.62 tons |
8.41 tons |
2 |
17 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Ceiling |
Armor |
AH-1E/F |
554 |
139 |
25/35 |
1192 |
550 |
4720 |
FF4
CF3 RF3
RB3* |
AH-1G/P/Q |
554 |
139 |
25/35 |
1014 |
505 |
3475 |
FF4
CF3 RF3
RB3* |
AH-1J |
666 |
167 |
25/42 |
1014 |
1330 |
3215 |
FF4
CF3 RF3
RB3* |
AH-1R |
595 |
149 |
25/37 |
1014 |
654 |
3215 |
FF5
CF4 EF4
RB4** |
AH-1S |
640 |
160 |
25/40 |
1014 |
604 |
3720 |
FF5
CF5 RF4
RB5** |
AH-1T |
554 |
139 |
25/35 |
1158 |
1274 |
7400 |
FF5
CF5 RF4
RB5** |
AH-1T+ |
581 |
145 |
25/36 |
1156 |
1339 |
7400 |
FF5
CF5 RF4
RB5** |
AH-1W/Z |
574 |
144 |
20/36 |
1563 |
1091 |
7400 |
FF6
CF5 RF4
RB5*** |
Vehicle |
Combat Equipment |
Minimum Landing/Takeoff
Zone |
RF |
Armament |
Ammo |
AH-1E |
Secure Radio, Flare/Chaff Dispensers |
40m |
+2 |
20mm M-197 Autocannon, 4 Hardpoints |
750x20mm |
AH-1F |
Secure Radio, Flare/Chaff Dispensers,
HUD, Laser Rangefinder, IR Suppression, IRCM, Laser Designator |
40m |
+4 |
20mm M-197 Autocannon, 4 Hardpoints |
750x20mm |
AH-1G |
Secure Radio |
40m |
+1 |
M-134, Mk19, 4 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm and 150x40mm |
AH-1J |
Secure Radio |
40m |
+1 |
20mm M-197 Autocannon, 4 Hardpoints |
750x20mm |
AH-1P |
Secure Radio, Flare/Chaff Dispensers |
40m |
+2 |
M-134, Mk19, 4 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm and 150x40mm |
AH-1Q |
Secure Radio |
40m |
+2 |
M-134, Mk19, 4 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm and 150x40mm |
AH-1R |
Secure Radio |
40m |
+1 |
M-134, Mk19, 4 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm and 150x40mm |
AH-1S |
Secure Radio, Flare/Chaff Dispensers |
40m |
+2 |
M-134, Mk19, 4 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm and 150x40mm |
AH-1T/T+ |
Secure Radio, Flare/Chaff Dispensers,
Helmet Sight Interface, Laser Designator |
40m |
+3 |
20mm M-197 Autocannon, 4 Hardpoints |
750x20mm |
AH-1W |
Secure Radio, Flare/Chaff Dispensers,
Helmet Sight Interface, Laser Designator, RWR, ECM |
40m |
+4 |
20mm M-197 Autocannon, 4 Hardpoints,
plus 2 AAM Hardpoints |
750x20mm |
AH-1Z |
Secure Radio, Flare/Chaff Dispensers,
Helmet/Sight Interface, Laser Designator, ECM, RWR, LWR, Auto Track |
40m |
+5 |
20mm M-197 Autocannon, 4 Hardpoints,
plus 2 AAM Hardpoints |
750x20mm |
*The cockpit is more
armored than the rest of the aircraft and has AV5.
**The cockpit is more
armored than the rest of the aircraft and has AV6.
***The cockpit is more
armored than the rest of the aircraft and has AV7.
AH-64 Apache
Notes: The AH-64
Apache is the US Army's primary attack helicopter, first used in combat in the
1989 conflict in Panama, and used to great effect during the 1991 Persian Gulf
War. The Apache has also been exported to several NATO countries, to Kuwait, and
to Israel. The helicopter has no
ejection seats and is not capable of in-flight refueling.
European Apaches are often armed with Mistral missiles.
It should be noted that while there have been sales of the Longbow to
Israel, in 2010 sales of the Longbow to Israel were suspended by the US
Congress, in a bid to ease Middle East tensions.
However, in 2017, the Trump Administration approved the sale of Guardians
to Israel, and IWI is more than capable of building their own Longbows or
upgrading them to the Longbow standard.
AH-64A/B/C Apache
The AH-64A is
the first model, and the US Arm, Israel, and some other countries using the
Apache intend to update their existing AH-64s to the AH-64D or AH-64D Longbow
configuration. The primary armament
of the Apache is the Hellfire missile, along with the M-230 Chaingun.
The AH-64B is an
AH-64 with a few modifications to make it more suitable for Desert Storm; these
include an improved autopilot, and more powerful and compact radios. The pylons
have four hardpoints, and addition the wingtips can carry four Stingers or four
Mistral AAMs, or 1 AIM-9X Sidewinder on each wingtip.
Alternatively these wingtips may carry ECM pods, IRCM pods, flare or
chaff dispensers, AGM-122 Sidearm ARMs, or 19-shot Hydra 70 pods or APKWS pods.
(Though not usually armed so, the Apache can also carry four Starstreak missiles
on their wingtips.) Israeli AH-64s are often armed with Spike-LR ATGMs in lieu
of Hellfires. The total of their
engine power of the A and B is 3000 horsepower. It has the vehicle state
computer of the AH-64D. The AH-64Bs were mostly upgraded AH-64As. The AH-65B
upgrades were first installed during Desert Storm, and include improved dust
screens for the intakes and
stronger rotor blades/
The AH-64C is
called a “near AH-64D standard.”
They have an engine upgrade, and the airframe upgrades of the AH-64D, but not
the radar or the fire control upgrades.
They use a pair of 3380-horsepower engines.
AH-64D Apache Longbow
The AH-64
Longbow version of the Apache adds a mast above the rotor blades for sensors,
and interfaces for reporting information and receiving information from higher
headquarters. An additional
490-liter fuel tank may be added at the expense of 880 rounds of 30mm
ammunition. It has a fully glass
cockpit. The Longbow uses a pair of
3600-horsepower turbofans. The
radar can detect 128 targets, classify, and prioritize up to 16 targets, and it
is a pretty good judge of which of the targets present the greatest threat.
Radios are data-capable in addition to being secure.
Location is provided by a transponder as well as the Longbow’s ability to
interact with its unit’s intranet.
A vehicle state computer is installed, along with a mapping module.
AH-64E Apache Guardian
The Guardian is
even more optimized for the ground support; the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
have revealed some deficiencies in the AH-64D, and Boeing and the Army wanted to
add some new bling to help in this ground support role.
Deliveries began in 2011, and Boeing plans to eventually upgrade 634
Longbows to the Guardian standard, replacing almost the entire Longbow fleet.
The name was finalized in 2012; until then, it was known as the AH-64D Block
III, but as development continued, it was decided to give it it’s own type
standard. The Guardian has been
approved for export, and deliveries began in 2019 to India, Soudi Arabia, and
Taiwan; and the South Koreans., In addition to these sales, Qater, and the UAE
have also placed orders for the Guardian. Indonesia will operate a small
contingent. The deliveries began in
2019. The British have ordered 50 Guardians, nearly replacing its entire WAH-64
fleet. Most Guardians are upgraded
Longbows; few will be new-build helicopters.
South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Britain manufacture the Guardian
domestically under license The pylons have four hardpoints, and addition the
wingtips can carry four Stingers or four Mistral AAMs, or 1 AIM-9X Sidewinder on
each wingtip. Alternatively these
wingtips may carry ECM pods, IRCM pods, flare or chaff dispensers, AGM-122
Sidearm ARMs, or 19-shot Hydra 70 pods or APKWS pods. (Though not usually armed
so, the Guardian can also carry four Starstreak missiles on their wingtips.)
Israeli AH-64s are often armed with Spike-LT ATGMs.
The Guardian has
an updated version of the Longbow’s mast-mounted radar, optimized for fire
control than general radar surveillance (though it also has this mode).
It has more powerful GE T700-GE-701D turbofans, generating 3988
horsepower as opposed to previous engines of 3600 horsepower total.
(Reportedly, the Army was mildly embarrassed when it was discovered in
Iraq and Afghanistan that the Chinook was actually faster than the Longbow.)
There are also new and upgraded sensors, avionics, and night vision devices,
The rotor blades are stronger, and the transmission is upgraded to cope
with the new engines’ power. The
rotor blades are also of composite materials instead of aluminum.
The crew is inside a boron/aluminum shell to increase crew survivability;
this includes the canopy, which is infused with boron (not enough to affect
visibility), and a shield between the pilot and gunner. The gunner has flight
controls, generally not used unless the pilot is injured by ground fire and
cannot control the the Guardian. Cannon armament has been replaced to a 30mm
M230 autocannon. The radar has
longer range, and also has an AAM mode. The radar can detect 128 targets,
classify, and prioritize up to 16 targets, and it is a pretty good judge of
which of the targets present the greatest threat.
The Guardian is capable of using the new AGM-114 Hellfire 2 missiles,
which gives the Guardian a fire-and-forget capability; alternatively, the
Guardian can carry Brimstone AGMs instead of Hellfires. For the most part, the
Guardian’s FLIR and day/night long range CCTVs can see through most smoke, fog
and clouds, things that would normally foil night vision devices.
The Guardian has a high level of redundancy in its flight systems, and
can continue to fly with considerable damage to the tailplanes, rear rotor, and
fuselage. The Guardian is largely a fly-by-wire aircraft.
Perhaps the most
dramatic upgrade is used by the WSO, who can control 2 UAVs up to 30 kilometers
away. This includes receiving data
from the drones, and the firing of their weapons (if any).
WAH-64
The WAH-64 (more
properly called the Apache AH1 or AH Mk.1) is a British variant that is based on
the AH-64D. The WAH-64 has much more powerful engines (4540 horsepower between
the two); they are the most powerful Apaches, engine-wise. They have a
strengthened airframe and rotor blades to take the extra power.
The WAH-64 has folding rotor blades, allowing it to be used on assault
ships, and the main rotor, tail rotor, and canopy have anti-icing features to
give it better operation in areas like the North Sea, north of Scotland, Arctic
climes, etc. The WAH-64 is fitted with the HIDAS Helicopter Integrated Defensive
Aids System, which not only detects missile launches, but automatically ejects
flares or chaff (as needed) upon detection of a launch against the WAH-64.The
WAH-64 has, in addition to its standard cockpit protection, panels of a
composite material as well as a further-strengthened canopy. The British have
also integrated the Arrowhead sensor system upgrade into their Apaches; this was
completed in 2010. WAH-64s often
carry external drop tanks for additional range; they use an advanced sort of
tank which is self-sealing and has carbon-fiber armor. (Though these4 particular
tanks are in British use only, they can be fitted to other countries’ Apaches.)
In addition, internal tanks totaling 400 liters may be removed if range
to the target is short, and the weight of the fuel and tank may be used to carry
additional munitions, cannon ammunition, sensors, or EW pods.
WAH-64s
interoperate routinely with the Royal Navy (though they and their crews remain
in the British Army). British helicopter carriers generally carry a brace of
eight Apaches, as well as Britain’s two amphibious assault carriers. The
Queen Elizabeth also carries an Apache squadron, and the QE class will also
each have a squadron of eight WAH-64s.
There has been
some international controversy with the WAH-64s, as the British Army has elected
to arm them with CRV7 rocket pods instead of the Hydra 70s used by other
countries’ Apaches. This
controversy is related to one of the warheads a CVR7 pod can carry – the MPSM
(MultiPurpose SubMunition) warhead, which has been classified as a cluster
munition by the Hague Convention on War.
The MPSM is, in my mind, definitely a cluster munition, as it breaks up
after the range programmed into it by the WAH-64 gunner into nine submunitions,
each slightly larger than a grenade, and having AP/AT capability. (Two out three
of the useable types of warheads are based on the warheads of the Hydra 70.)
In 2016, the
British MoD announce4d plans to upgrade 50 of their WAH-64s to the AH-64E Apache
Guardian standard. This work began
on the first 38 WAH-64s in 2017.
Possible Future
Iterations
In 2014, the
YAH-64F designation was assigned for advanced prototypes of the AH-64D with
3000-horsepower engines (each).
This increases speed and lifting capability.
Retractable stub wings would help offload some of the lift from the rotor
blades. The landing gear is
retractable. Finally, the tail
rotor can turn up to 90 degrees, becoming a pusher propeller is speed is
required. Some other improvements
were added. Unfortunately, the Army decided to forego any new updates in 2016,
waiting instead for the results of the FVL (Future Vertical Lift) helicopter.
(This does not exclude future Block modification packages.)
After declining
the YAH-64F, in 2016 the Army became interested in the AH-64D Block 2 Compound.
Like the YAH-64F, it has a pusher propeller at the rear and extended
winglets. Unlike the YAH-64F, the
pusher propeller on the Compound does not swing into the pusher position;
instead, it is a permanent fixture. In addition, during takeoff or in
high-altitude operations, part of the exhaust is directed down to increase lift.
The Compound is being considered at an interim upgrade for the Apache
AH-64D and E before replacement by the FVL (a program that is still testing
initial prototypes.)
Early in its
career, the AH-64A was pitched to the US Marines.
This would have been called the Sea Apache.
The Marines used their preferred M197 rotary cannon instead of the M230,
but for the most part, the Sea Apaches were stock AH-64As (It can also be
assumed that the Sea Apaches would have seen the subsequent Apache upgrades if
the Sea Apache went into service.
The Sea Apache also had folding rotor blades for storage shipboard.
They would have been carried on Amphibious Assault Ships and helicopter
carriers, probably a squadron of eight on each ship.
The Marines tested the heck out of the Sea Apaches and really loved them,
but in the end, the DoD said no, citing budgetary reasons, and the Marines set
about modifying their AH-1s, eventually reaching the AH-1Z Viper standard.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
AH-64A |
$7,712,434 |
JP8 |
3.7 tons |
9.53 tons |
2 |
28 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Shielded |
AH-64B |
$8,843,208 |
JP8 |
3.7 tons |
9.53 tons |
2 |
28 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Shielded |
AH-64C |
$7,747,539 |
JP8 |
4.02 tons |
9.74 tons |
2 |
30 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Shielded |
AH-64D Longbow |
$19,910,525 |
JP8 |
4.69 tons |
10.13 tons |
2 |
30 |
FLIR, Image Intensification, Radar (75
km) |
Shielded |
WAH-64 |
$33,225,813 |
JP8 |
6.3 tons |
10.42 tons |
2 |
33 |
2nd Gen FLIR,2nd Gen
Image Intensification, Radar (160 km) |
Shielded |
AH-64E Guardian |
$28,512,385 |
JP8 |
5.09 tons |
10.43 tons |
2 |
30 |
2nd Gen FLIR, Thermal
Imaging, 2nd Gen Image Intensification, Radar (150 km) |
Shielded |
YAH-64F |
$36,541,865 |
JP8 |
7.81 tons |
10.49 tons |
2 |
32 |
2nd Gen FLIR,2nd Gen
Image Intensification, Radar (160 km) |
Shielded |
AH-64D Block 2 Compound |
$43,403,028 |
JP8 |
7.56 tons |
10.5 tons |
2 |
32 |
2nd Gen FLIR,2nd Gen
Image Intensification, Radar (175 km) |
Shielded |
AH-64A Sea Apache |
$10,347,200 |
JP8 |
3.84 tons |
9.77 tons |
2 |
29 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Ceiling |
Armopr |
AH-64A/B |
958 |
266 |
20/37 |
1420 |
713 |
4339 |
FF6, CF6
FF5 RB4
T4* |
AH-64C |
992 |
276 |
20/39 |
1420 |
755 |
3598 |
FF6, CF6
FF5 RB4
T4* |
AH-64D Longbow |
986 |
274 |
15/33 |
1420 |
803 |
3598 |
FF6, CF6
FF5 RB4
T4* |
WAH-64 |
1243 |
346 |
15/35 |
1420 |
1031 |
3500 |
FF7 CF7
FF7 RB5
T4*** |
AH-64E Guardian |
1092 |
303 |
13/30 |
1420 |
891 |
6400 |
FF7
CF6 FF6
RB6 T5** |
YAH-64F |
1624 |
451 |
15/33 |
1420 |
1340 |
6400 |
FF7 CF7
FF7 RB5
T4*** |
AH-64D Block 2 Compound |
1569 |
436 |
15/33 |
1420 |
1294 |
6400 |
FF7 CF7
FF7 RB5
T4*** |
AH-64A Sea Apache |
934 |
260 |
20/37 |
1420 |
713 |
4339 |
FF6, CF6
FF5 RB4
T4* |
Vehicle |
Combat Equipment |
Minimum Landing/Takeoff
Zone |
RF |
Armament |
Ammo |
AH-64A |
Flare/Chaff Dispensers (35/35), Secure
Radios, Laser Designator, Helmet Sight Interface, RWR, Inertial
Navigation, ECM 1, IRCM 1 |
48m |
+3 |
30mm M230 Chaingun, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1200x30mm |
AH-64B |
Flare/Chaff Dispensers (35/35), Secure
Radios, Laser Designator, Helmet Sight Interface, RWS, Inertial
Navigation, IRCM 2, ECM 1 |
48m |
+3 |
30mm M230 Chaingun, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1200x30mm |
AH-64C |
Flare/Chaff Dispensers (35/35), Secure
Radios, Laser Designator, Helmet Sight Interface, RWR, GPS, IRCM 2, ECM
1 |
48m |
+4 |
30mm M230 Chaingun, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1200x30mm |
AH-64D Longbow |
Helmet Sight Interface, Flare/Chaff
Dispensers (45/45), Secure Radios, Intranet Access, Laser Designator,
RWR, LWR, GPS, IRCM 2, ECM 1, Target ID, Auto Track |
48m |
+5 |
30mm M230 Chaingun, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1200x30mm |
WAH-64 |
Enhanced Helmet Sight Interface,
Flare/Chaff Dispensers (45/45), Secure Radios, Laser Designator, RWR,
LWR, GPS, IRCM 2, ECM 1, Target ID, Auto Track, BMS |
|
|
|
|
AH-64E Guardian |
Enhanced Helmet Sight interface, HUD,
HUD Interface, Laser Designator, UAV Interface, Secure Radios, Satellite
Radio, GPS, IFF, RWR, LWR, BMS, ECM 1, IRCM 2, Target ID, Auto Track,
Flares/Chaff Dispensers (45/45) |
48m |
+5 |
30mm M230 Chaingun, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1200x30mm |
YAH-64F Apache |
Helmet Sight Interface, Helmet Cueing
System, HUD, Flare/Chaff Dispensers (45/45), Secure Radios, Intranet
Access, Laser Designator, BMS, RWR, LWR, GPS, IRCM 2, ECM 2, Target ID,
Auto Track |
48m |
+5 |
30mm M230 Chaingun, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1200x30mm |
AH-64D Block 2 Compound |
Helmet Sight Interface, Helmet Cueing
Device, HUD, Flare/Chaff Dispensers (45/45), Secure Radios, Intranet
Access, Laser Designator, RWR, LWR, GPS, IRCM 2, ECM 2, Target ID, Auto
Track |
48m |
+5 |
30mm M230 Chaingun, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1200x30mm |
AH-64A Sea Apache |
Flare/Chaff Dispensers (35/35), Secure
Radios, Laser Designator, Helmet Sight Interface, RWR, Inertial
Navigation, ECM 1, IRCM 1 |
48m |
+3 |
20mm M197 Autocannon, 4 Hardpoints, 2
Wingtip Hardpoints |
1800x20mm |
*The cockpit has
additional armor and has an AV of 8.
**The cockpit has
additional armor and has an AV of 10.
***The cockpit is
heavily armored and has an AV of 11.
If using British drop tanks, these tanks have an AV of 4.
UH-2C
Notes: The UH-2C is the armed
rescue version of the SH-2 Seasprite.
It began life as the “Interim Attack Helicopter,” and the UH-2A version
saw very brief service in Vietnam.
It was one of the Vietnam-era forerunners of helicopters like the UH-60.
It carries four passengers, and is equipped with two M-60D doorguns, one
M-134 Minigun in a chin turret, and armor plating.
In addition, these old CIA helos have
been upgraded to include one missile hardpoint, which can mount an AIM-7
Sparrow, an AIM-9 Sidewinder, or AGM-65 Maverick.
The UH-2C does not have ejection seats, and is not capable of in-flight
refueling.
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
$1,147,986 |
AvG |
2.3 tons |
6.12 tons |
2+4 |
18 |
Radar |
Enclosed |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Mnvr/Agl/Turn |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Ceiling |
512 |
128 |
50/32 |
1800 |
1360 |
6128 |
Combat Equipment |
Minimum Landing/Takeoff
Zone |
RF |
Armament |
Ammo |
Flare/Chaff Dispensers, Laser
Designator, RWR, LWR |
40m |
+1 |
M-134, 2xM-60E2 Door Guns, 1xAIM-7,
AIM-9, or Maverick Launcher |
4000x7.62mm, 2000x7.62mm (Doorguns) |
MD-500 Defender
Notes: The
Defender is a low-cost, no frills gunship sold to many third-world countries.
An optional 80-liter internal fuel tank may be installed at the expense
of passengers. The Defender is very
nimble and accelerates rapidly. The
Defender is not capable of aerial refueling and has no ejection seats.
The MD-500MD is
the most basic version; it carries only a minigun in a nose sponson and has two
hardpoints that may not mount missiles.
The MD-500E Scout Defender is similar to the MD-500MD, but has a wider
choice of weapons. The MD-500E TOW
Defender is the same, but has the sighting and guidance equipment to use TOW
missiles. The engine on the Scout
and TOW Defenders is a bit less powerful.
The MD-500MG Defender II is the “Cadillac” version; it has stub wings to
allow two more hardpoints, and can potentially carry any sort of weapon or pod
on its hardpoints. It has better sighting, optics, and avionics, and a more
powerful engine.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
MD-500MD |
$316,682 |
AvG |
568 kg |
1.36 tons |
2+2 |
4 |
None |
Enclosed |
MD-500E Scout |
$432,459 |
AvG |
568 kg |
1.36 tons |
2+2 |
4 |
None |
Enclosed |
MD-500E TOW |
$498,944 |
AvG |
568 kg |
1.36 tons |
2+2 |
5 |
Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
MD-500MG |
$1,104,102 |
AvG |
672 kg |
1.61 tons |
2+5 |
5 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Enclosed |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Ceiling |
Armor |
MD-500MD |
480 |
120 |
15/30 |
340 |
90 |
4275 |
FF3
CF2 RF2
RB3 |
MD-500E |
490 |
123 |
15/31 |
340 |
80 |
4275 |
FF3
CF2 RF2
RB3 |
MD-500MG |
518 |
130 |
15/32 |
340 |
106 |
4300 |
FF3
CF2 RF2
RB3 |
Vehicle |
Combat Equipment |
Minimum Landing/Takeoff
Zone |
RF |
Armament |
Ammo |
MD-500MD |
None |
32m |
+1 |
M-134 Minigun, 2 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm |
MD-500E Scout/TOW |
None |
32m |
+1 |
2xEX-34 Chainguns or M-134 Minigun or
30mm M-230 Autocannon, or 2xM-2HB, 2 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm or 250x30mm or 500x.50 |
MD-500MG |
Inertial Navigation |
32m |
+3 |
2xEX-34 Chainguns or M-134 or 30mm
Chaingun or 2xM-60E2 or 2xM-2HB, 4 Hardpoints |
2000x7.62mm or 250x30mm or 500x.50 |
Notes: The
Comanche was not designed to replace the Apache is US service.
Instead, it was designed to supplement it on deep penetration and attack
missions. The landing gear and
weapons racks retract into the fuselage for stealth flights, but weapon space
can be expanded with add-on racks.
No ejection seats are provided, and the helicopter is not capable of in-flight
refueling. The Comanche is a
stealth helicopter; all radar and radar weapons have a one level deficit against
it, as do IR-based weapons and equipment.
The Comanche program was, unfortunately, killed in early 2004.
Twilight 2000
Notes: The Comanche did not enter service until 1997, and is relatively rare.
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
$9,197,587 |
AvG |
1.4 tons (Recon Mode), 3 tons (Attack
Mode) |
3.68 tons (Recon Mode), 5.27 tons
(Attack Mode) |
2 |
32 |
FLIR, Image Intensification, Radar |
Shielded |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Ceiling |
637 |
159 |
15/40 |
1455 |
400 |
6400 |
Combat Equipment |
Minimum Landing/Takeoff
Zone |
RF |
Armament |
Ammo |
Flare/Chaff Dispensers, Secure Radios,
IR Suppression, Laser Designator, Helmet Sight Interface, RWR, Armored
Cockpit, GPS, IRCM, ECM, Target ID, Auto Track, TFR |
45m |
+5 |
20mm M-197, 6 hardpoints (Recon Mode),
14 Hardpoints (Attack Mode) |
500x20mm |