Photo: Lockheed Martin
The AH-64 Apache is one of the most impressive weapons platforms that fly in the skies of the world today, but like most other such systems, it is getting old. That means there are ongoing efforts to modernize the fleet and bring it up to date in terms of pretty much everything, from weapons to capabilities.
The Apache was introduced by Hughes Helicopters back in 1975, and over the years several versions of it came and went. The most recent variant, born back in 2020, is called the AH-64E Version 6, or v6, and it is made by Boeing.
This version of the helicopter was responsible for the most recent piece of news concerning the platform. Back in December last year, the Apache in this configuration test fired the Lockheed Martin Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile, bringing new capabilities under the control of American pilots.
The same Lockheed Martin is why we're here discussing the Apache now as well, after the defense contractor announced it was awarded a contract to develop a new electronic warfare system that will go into all existing Apaches, no matter the variant.
The systems currently in use, also developed by Lockheed Martin, will begin to be replaced with the third-generation Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) technologies, included in a package called APR-48B.
APR-48B is used by pilots and their machines to passively detect, identify, and locate radar emitters, and for helicopters flying in a combat zone such an ability is most of the time crucial to a mission's success.
The Gen 3 system will "provide significant capability enhancements that are enabled by advanced microelectronics," but we’re not told exactly what those enhancements are. The few details that were released point to the hardware being lighter and offering improved sensor performance. On top of that, it allows for further functionality to be added later on.
What we do know is that the new tech relies on a new Intel Altera Multi-Chip Package (MCP-2), something that's been used to modernize a series of other defense capabilities. This is however the first time the solution is used as part of the APR-48B.
Lockheed Martin hints it will likely take years before the new solution will be integrated into the entire Apache fleet. It's unclear exactly how long that will be, or how much the entire effort will cost.
Since the helicopter's introduction in military service a little more than four decades ago (first delivery took place back in 1984), no less than 5,000 of these machines have been made. The bulk of them is flown by the pilots of the U.S. Army, but no less than 18 American allies field the helo as well for their needs.
This version of the helicopter was responsible for the most recent piece of news concerning the platform. Back in December last year, the Apache in this configuration test fired the Lockheed Martin Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile, bringing new capabilities under the control of American pilots.
The same Lockheed Martin is why we're here discussing the Apache now as well, after the defense contractor announced it was awarded a contract to develop a new electronic warfare system that will go into all existing Apaches, no matter the variant.
The systems currently in use, also developed by Lockheed Martin, will begin to be replaced with the third-generation Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) technologies, included in a package called APR-48B.
APR-48B is used by pilots and their machines to passively detect, identify, and locate radar emitters, and for helicopters flying in a combat zone such an ability is most of the time crucial to a mission's success.
The Gen 3 system will "provide significant capability enhancements that are enabled by advanced microelectronics," but we’re not told exactly what those enhancements are. The few details that were released point to the hardware being lighter and offering improved sensor performance. On top of that, it allows for further functionality to be added later on.
What we do know is that the new tech relies on a new Intel Altera Multi-Chip Package (MCP-2), something that's been used to modernize a series of other defense capabilities. This is however the first time the solution is used as part of the APR-48B.
Lockheed Martin hints it will likely take years before the new solution will be integrated into the entire Apache fleet. It's unclear exactly how long that will be, or how much the entire effort will cost.
Since the helicopter's introduction in military service a little more than four decades ago (first delivery took place back in 1984), no less than 5,000 of these machines have been made. The bulk of them is flown by the pilots of the U.S. Army, but no less than 18 American allies field the helo as well for their needs.
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