The Apache AH 64:Opening Salvo

 
An All terrain Terror:Apache AH64

 An Apache AH 64D:extremely manuoverable

  An An Awesome Apache AH 64

  An Apache AH 64D Variant silhouetted against a sunset

  Home Home Sweet Home:Apache AH 64 Prototype

The AH-64 Apache is the United States Army's principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. It was designed by Hughes, was further developed by McDonnell Douglas, and is currently produced by Boeing.

A Brief Historical
Following the cancellation of the AH-56 Cheyenne, the United States Army sought an aircraft to fill an anti-armor attack role. The Army wanted an aircraft better than the AH-1 Cobra in firepower, performance and range. It would have the maneuverability to fly nap of the earth (NoE) missions. To this end, the US Army issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) in 1972.
Proposals were submitted by 5 manufacturers: Bell, Boeing-Vertol (teamed with Grumman), Hughes, Lockheed, and Sikorsky. In 1973, the US Department of Defense selected finalists Bell and Hughes Aircraft's Toolco Aircraft Division (later Hughes Helicopters).
Each company built prototype helicopters and went through a flight test program. Hughes' Model 77/YAH-64 prototype first flew on September 30, 1975, while Bell's Model 409/YAH-63 prototype first flew the following day.After evaluating test results, the Army selected Hughes' YAH-64 over Bell's YAH-63 in 1976.

The AH-64 is a two-seat attack helicopter powered by two General Electric T700 turbo-shaft engines. The crew sit in tandem, with the pilot sitting behind and above the copilot-gunner in an armored crew compartment. The helicopter is armed with a 30mm M230 chain gun and carries a mixture of missiles and rockets on its stub-wing pylons.
It is a quick-reacting, airborne weapon system that can fight close and deep to destroy, disrupt, or delay enemy forces. The Apache is designed to fight and survive during the day, night, and in adverse weather throughout the world using the integrated helmet and display sight system. The principal mission of the Apache is the destruction of high-value targets with the HELLFIRE missile.The capabilities of 30MM M230 chain gun and Hydra 70 (2.75 inch) rockets are lethal against a wide variety of targets. The Apache has a full range of aircraft survivability equipment and has the ability to withstand hits from rounds up to 23MM in critical areas.
With a tandem-seated crew consisting of the pilot, located in the rear cockpit position and the co-pilot gunner (CPG), located in the front position, the Apache is self-deployable, highly survivable and delivers a lethal array of battlefield armaments.
 The Apache is also equipped with some of the latest avionics and electronics, such as the Target Acquisition and Designation System, Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS), passive infrared countermeasures and GPS.The US Army has more than 800 Apaches in service, and more than 1,000 have been exported.