Furthermore, out of those five million flying hours, 1.3 million were spent in combat
Five million flight hours have been completed by US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, marking a significant milestone for Boeing and the AH-64 team. This achievement equates to more than 208,333 days of nonstop flight, or 570 years and nine months. Moreover, of those five million flying hours, 1.3 million were completed in conflict.
“With more than five million flight hours, the Apache continues to be reliable, versatile, and lethal,” said Katie Yursky, interim vice president of Attack Helicopter Programs and senior Mesa site executive, in a Boeing news release. “Congratulations to the U.S. Army and its Apache aviators on reaching this incredible milestone. Every hour counts, and we look forward to supporting our soldiers on their next milestone and beyond.”
The US Army has flown A, D, and E-model Apaches since 1984, when the first AH-64 took flight. Currently, apart from the AH-64E Apache, the US Army also uses D-model Apaches.
“It is such a great privilege and an honor to be a part of the Apache program,” Col. John (Jay) Maher, U.S. Army Apache Project Manager, said. “The five million flight hours milestone is a testament to the reliability and availability of the Apache in some of the world’s most demanding conditions. Supporting the Soldiers who fly and maintain the Apache is priority one.”
Boeing is bringing the E-model up to Version 6.5, which will incorporate the Army’s newly enhanced turbine engine along with updated software. In October 2022, the company also unveiled the Modernized Apache, a Boeing concept that is in line with the US Army’s upcoming modernization efforts and will maintain the AH-64 as a powerful, multi-domain, lethal combat multiplier for US warfighters and international customers.
The AH-64 is the preferred attack aircraft for 19 defense forces worldwide, with additional international interest. It is manufactured by Boeing in Mesa, Arizona. Poland declared in September 2022 that the AH-64E Apache from Boeing will be the new attack helicopter fleet of the Polish Armed Forces.
The AH-64 Apache was intended to be a very tough combat helicopter. In 1975, the YAH-64, the prototype Apache, made its first flight, and Hughes received a full-scale development contract in 1976. The Army gave the program—now known as the AH-64A Apache—production approval in 1982. Deliveries began from the McDonnell Douglas plant at Mesa, Ariz., in 1984—the year Hughes Helicopters became part of McDonnell Douglas.
Its effectiveness in the ground support role was increased by additional advanced technology, such as a target acquisition and designation sight/pilot night-vision sensor. The Apache shared T700 engines with the Army’s Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter and its navy counterpart, the SH-60 Seahawk, to cut costs and streamline logistics.
The cornerstone of the US Army’s all-weather ground-support capability is the combat-proven Apache helicopter, which is incredibly maneuverable and heavily armed.
Photo by USA Military Channel YouTube