Page 27 - Australian Defence Magazine April 2020

APRIL 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
SEA POWER HELICOPTERS 27
The -701C and -701D engines are actually capable of pro- ducing the same power but the former was downrated due to the less robust power drive train of the AH-64D.
AH-64E sales brochure specifications quote a Maximum Operating Weight of 23,000lbs (10,342kg), a maximum speed in excess of 150 knots (279 km/h) and a Service Ceil- ing of 20,000ft (6,096m).
The AH-64E also has a Link 16 Tactical Data Link and is capable of supporting Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM- T) operations. The latest software upgrade to the Longbow radar, known as Version 6.0, has also delivered the afore- mentioned maritime capability enhancement to the Apache’s sensor suite.
“We’ve brought the sports car performance back to the E- model Apache,” Terry ‘TJ’ Jamison, Boeing senior manager Vertical Lift, Global Sales and Marketing said to ADM.
“Now with Version 6.0, with an emphasis on marinisation and the ability for that fire control radar to locate targets out at sea, taking into account various sea states, its ability to identify dif- ferent classes of vessels – to locate and target those vessels – is an incredible capability that we didn’t have before.”
Baseline weapons include a 30mm gun, 70mm rockets and the AGM-114 Hellfire missile and while every helicopter delivered is also capable of employing AIM-92 Stinger air to air missiles the US Army, as the largest customer, has not adopted the weapon for its AH-64Es.
“The other thing Version 6.0 software does for the Apache is it extends the range of the fire control radar all the way
ABOVE: A US Army AH-64D Apache helicopter takes off from the USS Ponce, during an exercise.
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