Apache AH-64E vs. Enemy Tanks: See How This Helicopter’s Firepower Makes the Difference!

Vital Role of Helicopters in Modern Warfare

The Air Force operates a diverse fleet that includes fighter jets, transport planes, and helicopters. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft that generate lift through their wings, helicopters rely on rotating rotor blades to ascend and maneuver. This distinction makes helicopters a crucial asset for the Army, serving in both attack and transport roles.

Jet engines have transformed fixed-wing aircraft into formidable machines capable of achieving speeds beyond the sound barrier, setting new standards in air superiority. In contrast, helicopters lag in speed and range. Engaging in aerial combat with fixed-wing aircraft is impractical for helicopters due to their reliance on rotor motion. Nevertheless, helicopters offer unique military advantages that fixed-wing aircraft cannot match.

One of the primary benefits of helicopters is their ability to operate without the need for lengthy runways. While fixed-wing aircraft can cover vast distances at high speeds, they require substantial runway lengths for takeoff and landing. Helicopters, however, can perform vertical takeoffs and landings, facilitating rapid deployment and operational flexibility.

For instance, “Heliborne Tactics” — operations using helicopters — highlight their superior speed and maneuverability compared to ground transportation. Helicopters can access areas without established roads, making them invaluable for operations in rugged terrain. In mountainous search and rescue missions, helicopters can lower infantry troops via fast rope, enabling large-scale deployments without the physical strain of climbing. This capability underscores the helicopter’s indispensable role in modern military operations.

Helicopters in Action: Real-World Applications

Helicopters have demonstrated their value in numerous military scenarios. During the U.S. mission to eliminate Osama bin Laden, helicopters transported Navy SEALs from their base to the target location. In the Vietnam War, helicopters were pivotal in swiftly evacuating wounded soldiers from remote, jungle-covered battlefields, where road access was limited.

The hovering capability of helicopters is particularly advantageous for attack variants. By remaining stationary, attack helicopters can provide extended support to ground forces, unlike fixed-wing aircraft, which cannot maintain a stationary position without risking a crash. This capability allows helicopters to deliver close-range fire support more effectively than traditional artillery units. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft that rely on radar or maps for targeting, helicopters use visual observation, significantly enhancing their combat effectiveness.

Despite their advantages, helicopters are not without vulnerabilities. Operating at lower altitudes and speeds compared to high-altitude attack aircraft makes them more susceptible to enemy ground-based defenses. However, their three-dimensional maneuverability and ability to hover make them harder to target than stationary ground forces, ensuring they remain a significant threat on the battlefield.

Modern attack helicopters, armed with a range of air-to-ground missiles and rockets, are formidable “tank killers,” posing a serious threat to enemy armor.

Apache AH-64E Guardian: A Premier Attack Helicopter

Helicopters serve distinct roles: attack variants focus on neutralizing enemy combat vehicles, while transport helicopters support special forces missions. Both types offer strategic advantages, including wide visibility from the air that facilitates the observation of enemy movements.

Attack helicopters, which do not engage in troop transport, are primarily tasked with intercepting high-value enemy targets such as tanks and artillery. For instance, if enemy artillery positions are identified but conditions do not permit counter-battery fire, deploying attack helicopters for a precision strike is often the most effective response.

The Apache AH-64E Guardian stands out as the premier attack helicopter in service today. Known for its role as a “tank killer,” the Apache is equipped with a 30mm cannon capable of firing 600-650 rounds per minute, designed to destroy armored vehicles and ground troops. It can carry up to 1,200 rounds, and depending on the mission, it can also be armed with “Hellfire” air-to-ground missiles or 2.75-inch Hydra rockets. The Hellfire missile, with a maximum range of 5 miles (8 kilometers), and the Hydra rockets, which can be loaded up to 76, enhance the Apache’s offensive capabilities.

Additionally, the Apache can be fitted with air-to-air missiles, such as the AIM-92 Stinger or AIM-9 Sidewinder, improving its ability to defend against enemy aircraft. The helicopter’s main rotor is equipped with the AN/APG-78 fire control radar, capable of detecting 1,000 ground and aerial targets within an 8-mile (13-kilometer) radius and tracking up to 256 targets, with simultaneous engagement of up to 16.

Advanced Capabilities of the Apache AH-64E Guardian

The latest Apache models are equipped with advanced self-defense features. The cockpit is shielded with titanium alloy to protect against 14.5mm anti-aircraft rounds, and the armor withstands 23mm rounds. The fuel tanks are treated to prevent ignition if hit.

The Apache is also notably large, measuring 48.2 feet (14.68 meters) in length, 15.5 feet (4.72 meters) in height, with a main rotor diameter of 48 feet (14.63 meters). Its basic mission weight is 15,000 pounds (6.8 tons), and with full fuel and armament, its maximum takeoff weight reaches 22,900 pounds (10.4 tons). Powered by two 2,000-horsepower engines, the Apache can reach speeds of up to 182 miles per hour (293 kilometers per hour) and has a maximum range of 300 miles (483 kilometers), offering extensive attack capabilities and high survivability.

The South Korean Army currently operates 36 Apache helicopters, with around 80 stationed on the Korean Peninsula, including approximately 40 maintained by U.S. Forces Korea. South Korea invested around ₩1.9 trillion (about $1.4 billion) in the first phase of the project from 2012 to 2021, acquiring 36 AH-64E Apache Guardians. The second phase, set to continue from 2023 to 2028, will involve an additional investment of about ₩3.3 trillion (approximately $2.5 billion), bringing the total number of Apache helicopters in the South Korean Army to 72. U.S. Forces Korea are also expected to receive additional advanced Apaches, significantly enhancing deterrence against North Korea’s extensive tank fleet.

Joint Operations with the MQ-1C Gray Eagle

Last year, the U.S. Department of Defense showcased AH-64E v6 Apache Guardian helicopters during training exercises at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. The AH-64E v6 represents the latest and most advanced model, offering substantial improvements in lethality, survivability, performance, and maneuverability. A battalion of 24 AH-64E v6 helicopters has been deployed to U.S. Forces Korea for the first time.

The AH-64E v6 excels in joint operations with the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, a “killer drone” stationed with U.S. Forces Korea. This Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) approach enhances mission effectiveness by integrating manned and unmanned assets.

The AH-64E v6 features an upgraded fire control radar (FCR) with a detection range increased from 5 miles (8 kilometers) to 10 miles (16 kilometers), doubling its previous capability. It also includes improved targeting optics and night vision systems, allowing for effective engagement of long-range targets. Additionally, the aircraft’s decision support system provides enhanced targeting capabilities, offering twice the precision of older Apache models.