In the early 1970’s the US Army wanted a replacement for the AH-1 Cobra so companies
submitted proposals. In July 1973 the list was shortened to Hughes and Bell with each building a
prototype in 1975. The Army selected the Hughes helicopter because its landing gear was more
stable and the main rotor was more damage tolerant. In 1981 3 pre-production AH-64As were
given to the Army for testing and named Apache. The Apache went into production in 1982 and
has evolved into one of the deadly machines over the battle field.

The 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation was activated in the Army Reserve on September 17, 1989 at
Fort Knox, Kentucky granted permission by the AVG for the 8th-229th to use their logo and name
so they became the Flying Tigers. The 8th Battalion first received the Apache helicopter in 1992
and in October 2005 began training for the AH-64D Longbow and became the 8th Battalion,
229th Aviation Regiment. In the fall of 2014 8th-229th exchanged their AH-64Ds for the UH-60
Blackhawk and became an assault helicopter battalion.

Apache AH-64D Specifications and Characteristics
Manufacturer/s
Hughes Helicopters - 1975/1984
McDonnell Douglas – 1984/1997
Boeing Defense, Space & Security – 1997/Present
Role – Attack Helicopter
Crew – 2 X (Pilot + Co-Pilot/Gunner)

Dimensions
Fuselage Length – 49 ft 5 in   (15.06 m)
Length/Both Rotors Turning – 58.17 ft   (17.73 m)
Width – 17 ft   (5.23 m)
Height
AH-64D NR (Non Radar) - 12.7 ft   (3.87 m)
AH-64D Longbow - 16.2 ft   (4.95 m)
Rotor Diameter – 48 ft   (14.63 m)

Performance
Power-Plants
2 X General Electric T700-GE-701C Producing 1,890 shp Per Engine
Speed
Maximum – 182 mph   (158 kts / 293 km/h)
Cruise – 165 mph   (143 kts / 265 km/h)
Range
Ferry – 1,180 mi   (1,024 nmi / 1,900 km)
Combat Radius – 300 mi   (260 nmi / 480 km)
Minimum Load Service Ceiling – 21,000 ft   (6,400 m)
Rate Of Climb – 2,500 ft/min   (12.7 m/s)

Armament
Guns – 1 X 30 mm   (1.18 in) M230 Chain Gun W/1,200 Rounds (As Part Of Area Weapon
Subsystem)
Hard Points – 4 X Pylons On Stub Wings
Rockets
Hydra 70 mm
CRV7 70 mm
APKWS 70 mm Air-To-Ground
Missiles
8 X AGM-114 Hellfire
4 X AIM-92 Stinger
Spike Missiles

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