The Entire U.S. Army's Apache Helicopter Fleet Is Being Inspected For A Criticial Defect

US soldiers do in-depth maintenance on an AH-64D Apache helicopter at Fort Bliss, March 1, 2018. US Army

Task & Purpose: The Army Is Inspecting Its Entire Apache Helicopter Fleet For A Critical Defect

The Army has ordered aviation techs to widen their search for a broken part that can send Apache helicopter rotors catastrophically ripping loose mid-flight, according to documents obtained by Task & Purpose, a terrifying defect that has resulted in recent deadly Apache mishaps.

In April, Defense News reported the Pentagon ceased accepting deliveries of the AH-64E ‘Echo’ Apache months earlier due to a “critical” safety issue over the copter’s strap pack nut, the component that keeps the rotor blades from separating from the airframe. But a February Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) guidance goes even further by explicitly expanding new inspections from Army aircraft flown in “severe coastal” areas to include “all AH-64 aircraft, regardless of location.”

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Update:The U.S. Army Is Inspecting Its Entire Fleet of Apache Helicopters for a Critical Flaw​​ (Popular Mechanics)

WNU editor: Here is the Defense News article that red-flagged this problem .... US Army stops accepting AH-64E helos from Boeing due to safety concerns (Defense News).

U.S. Army Apache Pilots Are Testing Their Hi-Def Targeting System

Image: Boeing

Army Pilots Test Hi-Def Targeting System -- Fox News

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Army is testing new technology that will allow Apache helicopter pilots to see their targets up close, in high definition color.

The Modernized Day Sensor Assembly, or M-DSA, first reported by FoxNews.com in February, provides pilots, and controllers on the ground, a high resolution alternative to the grainy, black and white images they currently use. M-DSA also has improved magnification features.

“With the extended range capabilities… the pilots can quickly and accurately identify targets at further standoff ranges, which allow them to stay out of harm’s way,” said Fred Swisher, who manages the M-DSA program at defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

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Update: Killing terrorists in hi-def: Apache helicopter technology goes through final tests -- Washington Times

My Comment: Check out the above FOX video .... the resolution and clarity is definitely a significant improvement from past targeting systems.

Army Nicknames AH-64E 'Guardian'

Army Nicknames AH-64E 'Guardian' -- Shoulda Been 'Monster' -- Aol Defense

The Army has altered the name of the latest-model Apache attack helicopter for the second time in recent months -- and once again missed a grand opportunity.

Last fall, the service redesignated the AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III, calling it instead the AH-64E Apache, aka AH-64 Echo, in recognition of its greatly increased capability compared to the AH-64D Block II. Now comes an Army news release revealing that the Apache Project Office has given the Echo model a nickname as well: "Guardian."

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My Comment: The 'Monster is here, the Monster is here .... hmmm .... maybe the Taliban are onto something. In my case ... I would have it called it 'The Puddycat' just to confuse everyone. :)

Britain's Fleet Of Apache Helicopters May Be Scrapped

The British Army's fleet of Apache attack helicopters could be cut back or even scrapped outright, defence sources have admitted

Britain's 66 Apache Helicopter Gunships Could Become Redundant After America Opts For An Updated Model -- Daily Mail

* Britain's AH-64D helicopters face becoming redundant because the U.S. has decided to stop using it
* It means technical support for the British fleet will be withdrawn in 2017

Britain's American-made Apache attack helicopters could be cut back or even scrapped outright because the U.S. is set to upgrade it's fleet.

The Army has used Apache gunships since 2001, seeing action in Afghanistan - where current pilots include Prince Harry and in Libya.

Despite the helicopters' successes on the frontline, defence sources suggested that the Army Air Corps fleet of 66 Apaches could eventually be cut to around 50 aircraft fit for operations.

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Update #1: British Army's fleet of Apache helicopters 'could be scrapped' -- The Telegraph
Update #2: Army's Apache fleet faces cuts -- AFP

My Comment: And let me guess .... the British do not have the money to get the 'updated' version .... so I guess more cuts are coming down the pipeline.

Inside The Prince's Killing Machine

Inside The Prince's Killing Machine: Prince Harry Returns To Afghanistan To Fly Apache Helicopters In Fight Against Taliban -- Daily Mail

* Harry will be on Apache duty for four months working as a co-pilot gunner
* He arrived early this morning and was given tour by his commanding officer
* Prince will celebrate his 28th birthday there next Saturday
* Posting puts his Vegas blowout with friends last month into context

Prince Harry has returned to Afghanistan to fly Army attack helicopters in the battle against the Taliban.

The 27-year-old arrived on the front line under cover of darkness yesterday to join the Apache unit which has the highest ‘kill rate’ in the war.

Captain Harry Wales – as he is known in the Army – will be a co-pilot gunner during his four-month deployment, meaning he will fire the aircraft’s weapons.

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My Comment: Now I understand why he went to Las Vegas to blow-off steam .... he probably knew that he was going to Afghanistan.

New 'Eyes' For Apache Helicopters

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Apache Helicopters Get New Eyes -- Popular Mechanics

Thanks to new upgrade, AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter pilots will be able to send out unmanned aerial vehicles ahead of the helo to scout for enemies and zero in on targets.

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A Look Inside The Apache

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

As Prince Harry Graduates As 'Top Gun': A Look Inside His £28m Apache Killing Machine That Bristles With 21st Century Technology -- Daily Mail

Prince Harry was a high-flyer during his Apache training, qualifying top of his class - which is a huge achievement given how notoriously difficult these airborne tanks are to master.

In fact, even very accomplished helicopter pilots have been known to fail the course.

The young prince is now a Co-pilot Gunner and is likely to be sent back to the frontline in Afghanistan. Here we take a closer look at the incredible machine that strikes fear into the hearts of Taliban fighters.

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My Comment: Talk about lethal weapons.

Are Iran's New Anti-Helicopter Missiles A Real Threat To Apaches?

AH-64A Apache Helicopter (Photo by Getty Images/Don Farrall)

From Popular Mechanics:

A new Iranian missile and the Pentagon's funding illustrate the importance, and the vulnerabilities, of helicopters in modern battlefields.

Call it a case of defense-press diplomacy: An Iranian colonel this week spoke publicly about a "special weapon" that was tailor-made to destroy U.S. Apache attack helicopters. The government-run Iranian news agency also released images of the shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile.

In the photo, the launcher is to the left, in green, and the grey missile is also to the left, with a white cap covering the seeker at the tip. The straight black piece sticking out is a simple aiming device

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My Comment: The key phrase in this report is the following ....

...."If we lost a CH-47 a week for six weeks, the Afghan war would be over,"....

Something to ponder about.

Piloting UAVs From An Apache Helicopter

AH64-D Apache Longbow during flight testing at Boeing testing ground.
DOD photo by : MSGT LANCE CHEUNG, USAF

Next-Gen Apache Helicopters Get New Technology -- Arizona Republic

Boeing Co. is incorporating new technology in the next generation of Apache Longbow helicopters that will enable pilots to control unmanned aircraft from their cockpits.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs, are pilotless aircraft that have helped the military gather video footage and other data in dangerous combat areas without putting soldiers directly at risk.

The use of UAVs has grown in recent years, spurred by the military's demand for aircraft that can gather enemy data without exposing the location of soldiers and pilots. The vehicles range from ultrasmall gadgets that fit in the palm of a person's hand to aircraft the size of a personal airplane.

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My Comment: Another program that reveals the incredible growth and reach of UAVs in combat operations.

More News On The U.S. Apache Fleet

Boeing launches next generation Apache helicopter -- I.T. Vibe
Next-generation aircraft -- AZ Central
A first, last flight for Apache pilot -- www.Army.mil

Apaches Forever

Photo from Army.mil

From War Is Boring:

The Boeing AH-64 Apache had a rough decade beginning in the late 1990s. The twin-engine attack chopper, in U.S. Army service since the mid ’80s, was slated to join the NATO air campaign in the Balkans a decade ago, but never saw combat due to problems with maintenance and training. And in 2003, several dozen Apaches were heavily damaged during a large-scale raid that ran into an insurgent small-arms ambush.

But the Army shifted tactics, improved maintenance and ordered up new versions of the venerable bird. Today the Apache is back on top as one of the best close air support aircraft around. And with the 2004 cancellation of the RAH-66 Comanche stealth attack chopper, the Apache is the only game in town for the Army. The land service has been buying small batches of new Apaches to keep its battalions up to strength despite losses in Iraq and training accidents. There are around 700 U.S. Apaches, plus a couple hundred in service with other militaries.

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