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Army Configures Apaches for Sea Duty
DoD Buzz ^ | October 13th, 2014 | Kris Osborn

Posted on 10/13/2014 4:55:00 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

The U.S. Army is engineering its Apache AH-64 attack helicopters with additional avionics, radar and sensor technology to perform better in maritime environments, service officials said Monday at the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington D.C.

“We’re looking at sensor upgrades to the fire control radar and adding a maritime feature to the Apache. We want to extend the radar and broaden its bandwidth to pick up things in a littoral (shallow water) environment and detect small ships in the water,” said Army Col. Jeff Hager, Apache program manager.

The Army plans to test these and other upgrades in 2017 in order to keep the attack helicopter platform current into the 2050s, Army and Boeing officials said.

Part of the Pentagon’s rebalance to the Pacific involves a greater use of land and sea-based assets in the region, underscoring the need for the Army to strengthen its expeditionary capabilities. The Army has conducted multiple exercises with the Navy wherein they landed Army helicopters on Navy ships in order to prepare for these type of contingencies.

Additional upgrades will include software upgrades and improvements to the mission processor, Hager explained.

“The software-based radar improvements will allow crew members to see maritime littoral targets and be able to pick targets out at sea like they do on land,” he added.

The upgrades will also give the Apache the ability to better communicate with assets from other services through a connection with LINK 16, a digital data link used widely by the Air Force and Navy.

“This does give the crew members the ability to see joint assets, so everybody see the same combined aerial picture that we have in the Air Force and Navy,” Hager added.

The first AH-64E Block III Apaches are now returning from combat service in Afghanistan, after deploying this past September. While explaining the newer, high-tech Block III Apache received favorable reviews from crew members and commanders, Hager said the Army will soon begin work on a formal after action review of the aircraft’s combat performance.

The Block III Apaches are built with composite main rotor blades, improved transmission and next-generation avionics.

In addition, the AH-64E helicopters are configured with what’s called Level IV Manned-Unmanned teaming, a technology which gives Apache crews the ability to view live feeds from nearby UAS and also control the sensor payload, Hager explained.

“Adding a hunter-killer capability with manned-unmanned teaming increases the range with UAS,” Hager explained.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: aerospace; ah64; apache; usarmy

British Apaches at sea

1 posted on 10/13/2014 4:55:00 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

2 posted on 10/13/2014 4:56:27 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

3 posted on 10/13/2014 4:56:28 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: Jet Jaguar; FlingWingFlyer

Ping.


4 posted on 10/13/2014 4:58:08 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Whats the tactical advantage of these? Loiter time?


5 posted on 10/13/2014 5:00:48 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
“We’re looking at sensor upgrades to the fire control radar and adding a maritime feature to the Apache. We want to extend the radar and broaden its bandwidth to pick up things in a littoral (shallow water) environment and detect small ships in the water,”

This should be a tactical advantage in the ME deserts. /s

6 posted on 10/13/2014 5:08:08 PM PDT by Don Corleone ("Oil the gun..eat the cannoli. Take it to the Mattress.")
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To: sukhoi-30mki

This is an about dang time fine idea


7 posted on 10/13/2014 5:11:24 PM PDT by onona (If I could compartmentalize; I'd be much better off)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

I don’t see the point.
Poor range and slow reaction time to deliver over-the horizon anti-ship missiles. You want the missiles off as soon as you can after getting a contact.
Vulnerable to interception.
The only advantage I can see is the ability to use terrain to hide in until they pop up to fire.
That would work if there is terrain.


8 posted on 10/13/2014 5:19:10 PM PDT by buwaya
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To: driftdiver

It certainly should pucker up some anatomical parts of the Somali pirates when they get wind of it, first hand I hope.


9 posted on 10/13/2014 5:20:40 PM PDT by Temujinshordes
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To: buwaya

Harpoon is a pretty big weapon. I would think they would want something smaller like a Penguin.


10 posted on 10/13/2014 5:21:24 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: Temujinshordes

Send it to Gas Monkey garage and have them pimp it out.


11 posted on 10/13/2014 5:24:34 PM PDT by TurboZamboni (Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.-JFK)
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To: buwaya
"I don’t see the point."

Me neither. That's why the Navy spent a gazillion dollars on Seahawk gunship upgrades - this is a mission that is already being done.

12 posted on 10/13/2014 5:28:36 PM PDT by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: buwaya

I’d wager the driving factor here is the currently nonexistent offensive capabilities of the LCS class.


13 posted on 10/13/2014 5:42:50 PM PDT by ruptured duck (He shoots....and boom goes the dynamite!)
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To: ruptured duck
...the driving factor here is the currently nonexistent offensive capabilities of the LCS class.

+1

14 posted on 10/13/2014 5:57:14 PM PDT by Rodamala
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To: ruptured duck

Zulu Cobra ? Why the Apache?


15 posted on 10/13/2014 6:15:25 PM PDT by NYFriend
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To: sukhoi-30mki; blueyon; KitJ; T Minus Four; xzins; CMS; The Sailor; ab01; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; ...

Active Duty ping.


16 posted on 10/13/2014 6:25:19 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Resist in place.)
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To: Jet Jaguar

China.


17 posted on 10/14/2014 1:59:30 PM PDT by TADSLOS (The Event Horizon has come and gone. Buckle up and hang on.)
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