Today, the Army’s attack helicopter fleet consists of a mixture of AH-64D and AH-64E model aircraft.

Taken on May 6, 2017 the super cool picture in this post features a U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow, assigned to the South Carolina National Guard, flying in front of a wall of fire during the South Carolina National Guard Air and Ground Expo at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C..

Noteworthy this expo is aimed to showcase the abilities of the South Carolina National Guard’s Airmen and Soldiers, while thanking fellow South Carolinians and the surrounding community.

The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter designed as a highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform. With a tandem-seated crew consisting of the pilot, located in the rear cockpit position and the co-pilot gunner (CPG), located in the front position. The helicopter is designed as a weapons delivery platform and is equipped with: a M230E1, 30mm automatic gun, aerial rockets system (2.75 inch folding fin), and point target weapons system (AGM-114 Hellfire missiles).

Today, the Army’s attack helicopter fleet consists of a mixture of AH-64D and AH-64E model aircraft.

The AH-64E meets all the requirements for Army and Joint interoperability goals for the future and will add significant combat capability while addressing obsolescence issues, ensuring the aircraft remains a viable combat multiplier beyond 2050.

Moreover the AH-64E is designed and equipped with an open systems architecture to incorporate the latest communications, navigation, sensor, and weapon systems.

This article by Gabriele Barison originally appeared on The Aviation Geek Club in 2017.

Image: Wikimedia.