British Army’s New Apache AH-64E Passes Battlefield Tests
3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC) are the first British Regiment operating the new Apache AH-64E to be cleared for frontline duty after taking part in Exercise Iron Titan during a 6-week period. Flying from Wattisham Flying Station to Nesscliffe in Shropshire, then later to Eaglescot and Chivenor in Devon. During the exercise, crews took part in simulated strike missions on enemy positions from Northumberland to Kent. The new helicopter forms part of the British Army’s new Future Soldier program, with the new Land Operating Concept announced in September.
The Boeing-designed 64E is an upgraded version of the AH-64 that has been in service with various militaries around the world since the mid-1980s. The new model entered service with the British Armed Forces in 2021 to replace the AgustaWestland Apache Mk1 which has been in use since 2004. The Mk1 first saw action during Operation Herrick in 2006 and later in Libya. The new AH-64E boasts a new drivetrain and rotor blades which improves flying performance as well as improved sights and communication systems.
During Exercise Iron Titan the Apache’s were maintained by Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) technicians while ground crew ran isolated Forward Arming and Refuelling Points.
Following the exercise 3 Regt AAC and its Apaches have been declared ready for frontline duty. 3 Regt AAC’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Rich Simcock said this about the helicopter:
“Like any machine, the AH-64E is only as good as the people who operate it. To have got to where we are just two years after the first aircraft arrived in the UK reflects the hard work and dedication put in by everyone in the regiment. Aircrew and engineers have been on training courses, we’ve developed new procedures to reflect the AH-64E’s enhanced capabilities, and we are constantly adapting as we learn more about what the aircraft can do.”
50 countries across the world operate Boeing’s AH-64, with global orders were valued at more than $560 million in 2019. The UK signed a long-term service contract for the helicopters with Boeing in January 2022 that will run until 2040. The agreement will see that at least 50 AH-64Es will be in British service by 2024.