The UK's Attack Helicopter Apache AH Mk1

The Army's requirement for an Attack Helicopter (AH), was endorsed in June 1991.  This identified a need for an AH with long range anti-tank capability to replace the ageing Lynk/TOW helicopters.

The Army has since purchased sixty-seven Apache Attack Helicopters, the first of which were delivered to the Army in March 2000.  The aircraft are intigrated within 16 Air Assault Brigade and operated by the Army Air Corps.  9 Regiment Army Air Corps have been trained and tested as the first Apache Attack Aviation Regiment ready for operations.  3 Regiment Army Air Corps are currently undergoing the conversion training to become the second Apache Regiment.  Each Regiment will have 16 Apache, with 48 airframes being operated within the Brigade for front-line service, with the balance being used for training and development.

The Apache has a potent mix of on board sensors and armaments and represents a massive improvement in capability over any armed helicopter previously operated by the British Army.  This new capability is being integrated into the Brigade to be used in the Combined Arms Battle with the aviation assets playing a key role in the concept of air manoeuvre.

The aircraft is based on the Boeing Apache Longbow, which entered service with the US Army in 1998 under the designation AH-64D. The UK version, which incorporates certain UK-specific requirements, was delivered by the prime contractor, AgustaWestland Helicopters Ltd, and is known commercially as the Westland Apache. Its military designation is WAH-64.

The development of the Apache Attack Helicopter programme has created certain challenges which have required dynamic management and adaptation, these have included:

DOCTRINE:  The UK previously had no experience of a true Attack Helicopter and has therefore had to develop and evolve the doctrine as to how it can be employed on future operations; which is a fluid process and involves all those involved in the programme, those at the front who operate the aircraft to those who service and maintain it.

TECHNOLOGY:  The Apache Helicopter is the UK's first wholly digitised platform and is being integrated with future technologies and projects to enhance its capabilities on the modern battlefield.