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Boeing AH-64D Longbow No. 074, United Arab Emirates Air Force, Dubai, 2015
General Background
In the early 1970’s the US Army wanted a replacement for the AH-1 Cobra so companies
submitted proposals. In July 1973 the list was shortened to Hughes and Bell with each building a
prototype in 1975. The Army selected the Hughes helicopter because its landing gear was more
stable and the main rotor was more damage tolerant. In 1981 3 pre-production AH-64As were
given to the Army for testing and named Apache. The Apache went into production in 1982 and
has evolved into one of the deadly machines over the battle field.
The Aircraft
In 2008 the United Arab Emirate began to upgrade the 30 AH-64A Apaches they had purchased in 1991 through 1994 to the new AH-64D standards. The work began in May 2008 and continued through November 2009. One of the upgraded AH-64Ds was No. 074 that originally was BuNo. 94-0342 c/n PV920. In 2016 the U.S. approved the sale of 37 AH-64Es of which 28 were remanufactured AH-64Ds and 9 total new helicopters. These helicopters will strengthen the UAE infrastructure and protect its border from any possible incursions.
Specifications :
| Manufacturer/s: | |
| Hughes Helicopters: | 1975/1984 |
| McDonnell Douglas: | 1984/1997 |
| Boeing Defense, Space & Security: | 1997/Present |
| Role: | Attack Helicopter |
| Crew: | 2 X (Pilot + Co-Pilot/Gunner) |
| Dimensions | |
| Fuselage Length: | 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m) |
| Length/Both Rotors Turning: | 58.17 ft (17.73 m) |
| Weight: | 17 ft (5.23 m) |
| Height: | AH-64D NR (Non Radar) - 12.7 ft (3.87 m) |
| AH-64D Longbow - 16.2 ft (4.95 m) | |
| Rotor Diameter: | 48 ft (14.63 m) |
| Performance | |
| Power-Plants: | 2 X General Electric T700-GE-701C Producing 1,890 shp Per Engine |
| Speed: | Maximum – 182 mph (158 kts / 293 km/h) |
| Range | |
| Ferry: | 1,180 mi (1,024 nmi / 1,900 km) |
| Combat Radius: | 300 mi (260 nmi / 480 km) |
| Minimum Load Service Ceiling: | 21,000 ft (6,400 m) |
| Rate Of Climb: | 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s) |
| Armament: | Guns – 1 X 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 Chain Gun W/1,200 Rounds (As Part Of Area Weapon Subsystem)
Hard Points – 4 X Pylons On Stub Wings Rockets Hydra 70 mm CRV7 70 mm APKWS 70 mm Air-To-Ground Missiles 8 X AGM-114 Hellfire 4 X AIM-92 Stinger Spike Missiles |