Question to anyone, slightly off topic...
During the last Iraq War (2003) I recall that about half a dozen Apaches got completely ripped up while leading an assault on a fixed defensive position.
As I recall, the commentary at that time was that anti-aircraft fire had become so effective that, in the future, attack helicopters would need to stay on the periphery of the battlefield and fire rockets and ordnance only in support of the attacking troops.
Has that perspective changed at all?
Have there been any technology improvements that make the Apache less vulnerable as a front line attacker?
What I understand about that issue is that the pilots, in order to come in low and avoid the phone/power lines, were trained to fly directly over the top of the poles. The enemy knew this and had their fire aimed accordingly. I’m sure our tactics have changed.