US Army receives 100th AH-64E Apache
The US Army has reached a significant milestone in its AH-64E Apache helicopter programme, having taken delivery of the 100th aircraft in late March. The delivery was announced in April.
The AH-64E Apache, or the Echo model, is a complete rebuild of the AH-64D, or Delta model. It has an improved drive system, more powerful 701D GE engine, composite main rotor blades, level-4 manned-unmanned teaming and full digitisation.
Col. Jeffrey Hager, Apache project manager, US army, said: '[The Echo model] can fly higher, faster and further than the D model - and the D model is an extremely capable aircraft.'
He added: 'But this aircraft outperforms and outdoes the Delta model to date.
'The enemy continually [was] thrown off-base because the Echo showed up to combat operations well before the Delta could have under the same conditions.'
The 1-229th, 1-101st and 1-25th Attack Reconnaissance Battalions (ARBs) have been fielded with the AH-64E Apache. Training coordination has also begun for the 3-301st ARB to be equipped with the helicopter.
The army aims to have Echo model for its entire Apache fleet, with 690 aircraft in total.
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