The Apache is the most advanced attack helicopter developed by Boeing for the United States Army. With a crew of a pilot and a commander in tandem seat, the apache can fire AGM-114 Hellfires, 2.75" unguided rockets and a 30mm machine gun. The United States also delivered apaches to the United-Kingdom, The Netherlands and Israel. Today the apache is also in service with the armed forces of Greece, Egypt, Saudi-Arabia and the United Arabian Emigrates. There have been delivered more than 1000 apaches to other countries.

United States
There have been build 821 AH-64A helicopters for the US Army between 1984 and 1997. All apaches will be updated to AH-64D or AH-64D Longbow helicopter.
On 16 august 1996, the US Army and McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) signed a 5-years contract for updating of 232 AH-64A apaches. On 2 september 1996 there was signed a same contract for enough more 232 AH-64A apaches. In october 2000 the US Army signed a contract with Boeing to increase the numbers of AH-64D Apache Longbow to 501. Here from was the 500e Apache Longbow 2004 delivered to the US Army on 26 august 2004.

Upgrade
With the Block III upgrade the United States Army expects they will have a apache fleet with superior technology be able to fly enough 30 years.

Missions
American apaches were used since 1989 in: Panama, liberty of Kuwait, Desert storm, Gulf war 1, Bosnia and the war in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). During operation Iraq Freedom in 2003 more than 200 American apaches were used.
Technical information about the American version of the Apache CLICK HERE

Crash
1) On 27 june 2005 a U.S. Army Apache helicopter crashed at northwest of Baghdad. The two pilots were killed.
2) On 29 july 2005 a U.S. Army Apache helicopter crashed during a training mission near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. The two pilots were injured.

Photo's

AH-64D	AH-64D Block III	AH-64D Block III
AH-64D	AH-64D

United-Kingdom
In march 1996 the UK ministry of defence ordered 67 pieces WAH Mk I Apache combat helicopters. These helicopters have been manufactured under license from Boeing in the United-Kingdom by the company Whilst Agusta Westland. These Apache AH Mk1 has Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines is stead of the GE T701 engines from General Electric where the American apaches are powered with. The apache is equipped with the Longbow fire control radar, Hellfire missiles, both semi-active laser and radio frequency versions, CRV7 ground suppression rocket system and 30mm cannon. They are also having the improved Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (HIDAS).
Technical information about the British version of the Apache CLICK HERE

RAF AH-64 Mk1	RAF AH-64 Mk1	RAF AH-64 Mk1
2x AH-64 Mk1

the Netherlands
The Royal Netherlands Air Force initially bought 30 AH-64D Apache attack helicopters. One Apache has crashed. In February 1997 the RNLAF lend for advanced money 12 AH-64A apaches from the US Army. The delivery of de apache D version started in may 1998 and finished in may 2002 delivered The Apaches are stationed on Gilze-Rijen Air Force Base with the 301 squadron.
In 2004 the Dutch government decided to discharge 6 apaches. With one Apache crashed in Afghanistan there would 29 remain. The plans for shrinking the number has been cancelled, leaving the fleet on a total 29 helicopters.
On 7 and 8 may 2005, 4 Apache attack helicopters were used to support the security of the US President when he visited The Netherlands. The Heli's were put for 2 days on Maastricht-Aachen Airport.



Missions
Dutch apaches have been used in Bosnia, Djibouti, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Afghanistan: For several years, 6 apaches (3x2) were deployed to Aghanistan as part of the ISAF mission. One apache is crashed in Afghanistan. The apaches took care of the stability and security in the Afghan capital Kabul by supporting - international - ground forces. The 6 apaches were stationed on the airport of Kabul. Thanks to the Dutch apaches the number of mortar attacks has been reduced till 0 accidents. The afghan authorities said they were very happy with the participation of the Dutch apaches.

Iraq: Since may 2004 6 (3x2) Dutch apache attack helicopters have been stationed in Iraq to support the Dutch ground forces. The Apaches took care of Close Combat Support and display of force. Besides they gathered information for the ground forces thanks to the highly advanced sensors and weapon systems.
The apaches have been used to support the ground forces by capturing terrorists.
The Apaches are - with about 180 air force soldiers - stationed on Tallil Air Force Base. This former Iraqi air force base is now a large tactical air force base from the Americans in Iraq. The US Air Force are leading this base. Besides the base is used by others like: US Marines, US Army and the Italian air force.

Photo's

AH-64D	AH-64D	Sensors
AH-64D with CH-47D	AH-64D and An-124	Deployed to Afghanistan
LPD Ship trials	LPD Ship trials	Deployed to Afghanistan
AMASE pod

Israel
Since 1990 the Israel Air Force has AH-64A Apaches. A few of them will be updated and there have been bought a unknown numbers of new AH-64D Longbow helicopters. These are called AH-64D-I Apache. The first 3 new helicopters were delivered to the IAF on 11 april, 2005. How much helicopters will be updated or have been bought is classified.

Photo's

Greece
Since 1995 Greece has the ability of 20 AH-64A Apaches. Besides, Greece has signed a new contract for 12 AH-64 Longbow Apaches with an option of 4. The apaches are/will be stationed with the Greece Hellenic Army.

Japan
Since January 2006, the Japanese ground self-defence force (army) got their first apaches in the version AH-64DJP Longbow. Originally, Japan would have bought 100 apache but that number has been reduced till 50-60. The engines of type T700-701C from the American General Electric are under licence manufactured by the Japanese Ishikawajimaharima Heavy Industries.

Kuwait
Since 17 august 2005, the armed forces of Kuwait has accepted already 6 of the 16 AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-role combat helicopter. The apache are manufactured at the Boeing Mesa, Arizona facility. Only 8 of them will be equipped with the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar.

Singapore
8 AH-84D Longbow Apaches have been delivered to Singapore in 2002. 12 more have been delivered in January 2006.

Taiwan
The armed forces of Taiwan have ordered 30 AH-64 Apaches to Boeing (July, 2007).

a US Army AH-64 apache prepares to launch at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan
"Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army" by SFC Joe Belcher

US Army AH-64 helicopters on a airfield in Iraq. Apaches played a key role in Operation Iraqi Freedom
"Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army" by Dod