US Army Configures Apaches for Sea Duty

[SvenSvensonov]

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.

From Army Configures Apaches for Sea Duty | DoD Buzz

*My Comments

A few pictures of naval Apaches'. Note: Not all are US military.

 

[C130]

surprise this hasn't happen sooner.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

surprise this hasn't happen sooner.

I'm not. In the military there are only three branches. The Navy, the Navy and the Navy. The air-force might have heavy movers, but the navy still moves most of their stuff. Same goes for the Army. And the Marines are an extension and under the command of the Navy. Priorities, especially for stuff involving naval affairs such as navalized helos for overseas attacks and recon, are always given to the Navy first, Air Force second and Army last. This hasn't happened yet as the Army is too low on the hierarchy of naval affairs and thus funding gets pushed down for projects like this. Still, I like these upgrades as they allow navy aviators to shift some of the load to the Army and focus their attention else where.

 

[C130]

right.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

right.

Didn't appreciate my sarcasm? I understand, but less sarcastically this is all about priorities. The Navy has priority for naval affairs such as military operations, search and rescue or transportation. So when the army calls for an upgrade for a system that will use navy assets such as ships and do a navy oriented job funding isn't placed on priority status and thus it takes a while to get these types of upgrades done.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

surprise this hasn't happen sooner.

Probably issues with being exposed to salt water.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

Probably issues with being exposed to salt water.

No, Apaches have been deployed on ships for a while now, these upgrades are software and sensor in nature and are systems that will have limited exposure to the elements. Remember that the radar and other sensors have shielding to prevent exposure to salt and other hazards. This was just due to a lack of priority spending.

 

[C130]

Didn't appreciate my sarcasm? I understand, but less sarcastically this is all about priorities. The Navy has priority for naval affairs such as military operations, search and rescue or transportation. So when the army calls for an upgrade for a system that will use navy assets such as ships and do a navy oriented job funding isn't placed on priority status and thus it takes a while to get these types of upgrades done.

lol I was agreeing with you. I just didn't add more.
AH-1W/Z is just as capable as the Apache so I can see why it wasn't adopted

 

[SvenSvensonov]

lol I was agreeing with you. I just didn't add more.
AH-1W/Z is just as capable as the Apache so I can see why it wasn't adopted

Whoops!!! My, bad. So hard to tell on the internet sometimes.

 

[TheGrim]

@SvenSvensonov

Hey man, was researching a bit on attack helos and I don't get the real difference between an Apache and a SuperCobra or the T-129 that my country uses. Is the Apache a "hard hitter" whereas the SuperCobra/T-129 are more for hit and runs ? Thanks

 

[jhungary]

talked to an apache pilot once, he said the major issue being operate inland and at sea is the ability to lock target.

Most sensor in apache were calibrated to seperate geoheat and target signature, when you pull an apache in water, the water ambient would mask the t he target signatures and hence you cannot lock a target effectively at sea. if it get worse where the ambient is too ambient, you cant even navigates.

@SvenSvensonov

Hey man, was researching a bit on attack helos and I don't get the real difference between an Apache and a SuperCobra or the T-129 that my country uses. Is the Apache a "hard hitter" whereas the SuperCobra/T-129 are more for hit and runs ? Thanks

the different come in the C3 and recon suite.

I dont know how to tell you, part of it I dont really know how that work and part ofit i just cant tell you.

In a Bradley, we are totally integrated with any Apache uplink, an Apache flew over can lock a target and pipe down the target information to my bradley, whether or not my sensor can see the target or not, i can punch a TOW and the TOW will follow the apache target guidance system and hit the target, given they are within range, or I can direct my 25mm and hit it if that was a soft target.

They can do the same thing to a tank, another apache, another Cobra and drones. While Cobra cannot do this, they can be on the receiving end from the apache targetting system. and the cobra radar is forward mounted so you got 305 degree coverage iirc while the apache radar is top mounted, they can see a whole 360. But ground target wise Cobra can see target hidden by geographic feature (like slope) than apache

dont know much about T129

 

[Aepsilons]

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.

From Army Configures Apaches for Sea Duty | DoD Buzz

*My Comments

A few pictures of naval Apaches'. Note: Not all are US military.

View attachment 137678

View attachment 137679

Excellent modification.

“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.

Indispensable factor for piracy interdiction, not to mention its abilities to tackle fast attack crafts of certain navies in certain regions near the Persian/ Arab Gulf.

@SvenSvensonov

Hey man, was researching a bit on attack helos and I don't get the real difference between an Apache and a SuperCobra or the T-129 that my country uses. Is the Apache a "hard hitter" whereas the SuperCobra/T-129 are more for hit and runs ? Thanks

Both platforms are great for any army, both have their strengths that they bring to the combat theater. There are certain strengths of the Apache over the T129, however, and they include:

• Apache has the combined laser guided precision Hellfire missiles, have the 30mm automatic cannon, and can carry up to 1200 high explosive , dp (dual purpose) ammo rounds. -- The T129 has the 12 mm gun pods, as well as the main 20 mm turret.
• Apache carries up to 22,998 lbs capacity, whereas T129 carries 11,000 lb capacity
• Apache take off power is 2000 SHP, whereas T129 is 1261 SHP
• Apache has altitude celing of 12,685 feet vs T129's 10,000 feet

Due to these parameters , the T129 is a platform that's ideal for precision-oriented, fast-response deployment of special forces, or can be used as an advanced guard in any ground assault involving tanks and heavy assault choppers. They (T129) definitely bring strengths and capabilities to any theater. And thus would be an asset.

It is just important for one to analyze the systemic components, comprehensively.

 

[Penguin]

Studies for a Naval version of the Apache were begun during 1984 and since that time the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company has proposed several navalized Apaches to both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy. The navalized Apache is viewed as a replacement for the aging Bell AH-1 Sea Cobras that are in service with the Navy and Marines. With the introduction of a four-blade rotor system to the current Marine Sea Cobra, the AH-1W, the Bell Cobra is believed to have reached the limit of its development. While older Sea Cobra airframes can be brought up to AH-1W standards, the Marines view the need for a replacement for the Sea Cobra with some urgency.

McDonnell Douglas AH-64 "Sea Apache" helicopter - development history, photos, technical data