Save The Apache, Lose The Gold Plating (AH-64D Performance During Gulf War II)

Soldiers For The Truth ^ | April 29, 2003 | David Hackworth

[JudgeAmint]

Save the Apache, Lose the Gold Plating

By David H. Hackworth

As our magnificent warriors return from Iraq, they will tell the folks who sweated them out at home what really went down during their bold march to Baghdad and will catch them up on all the inside skinny concerning the war's winners and losers.

             

At first glance, one of the big equipment losers is the U.S. Army's crown jewel, the Longbow Apache helicopter gunship (AH-64D model). Especially since a Longbow squadron got ventilated March 24 over the city of Karbala when 34 of these $24 million birds – developed to knock out Soviet tanks during the Cold War – were shredded by a sky full of mainly small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. One Longbow was shot down – its two-man crew captured – but most of the rugged birds managed to limp home on a shot-up rotor blade and a prayer. Yet almost a month later, 27 of the choppers were still rated "not fit to fly."

            

After this disaster – which got little press because of the Pentagon's daily cover-up drills – the brass no longer considered the much-hyped Longbow the aircraft of choice to lead the aerial battle charge. Instead, caution prevailed, and the U.S. Air Force's thick-skinned A-10 Warthog became the undisputed Close Air Support (CAS) champ of the war.

            

Now a chorus of self-appointed experts who wouldn't know a helicopter gunship from a flying saucer is telling the Pentagon to "deep-six" the Apache and give the prime CAS mission to the A-10.

            

They argue that the Apache not only didn't cut it in Iraq but screwed up big-time in fights last year in Afghanistan and during the 1999 Kosovo War, when it couldn't even get into the game because of training accidents and the concern that Serb missiles would channel "Black Hawk Down." Even though a less fancy, earlier model proved itself in spades during Desert Storm and, contrary to so-called expert claims, remains the favorite of our grunts – past and present – in Afghanistan.

            

But a closer look at the March 24 Little Bighorn reveals that the overconfident – some say even rash – commanders of the 11th Aviation Regiment fell for a classic Iraqi helicopter ambush of the sort perfected by Vietnamese guerrillas in the 1960s and refined by Somalian rebels in the 1990s. Eyewitnesses and Apache pilots say we're talking leadership fault here rather than the failure of a formidable fighting machine. And if so, the 11th Aviation skippers and their flawed planning should wear the blame, not this great CAS aircraft.

            

As it proved in Iraq by not crashing and burning when it became Swiss cheese over Karbala, the Apache is unbeatably rugged. A blistering machine capable of pounding the enemy right on the deck – in their face or standing off at five miles. Not to mention how, unlike a fast-moving fighter jet, it can also stay on station – low and slow – long enough to zap the bad guys and deliver close-in, enormous firepower directly in front of our grunts' foxholes when and where they need it. 

            

But the ultra-expensive Longbow system – a sure winner on the open plains of Europe against Soviet armor that became obsolete the day the Berlin Wall tumbled down – makes the Longbow-equipped Apache too heavy to fly in 21st-century high-altitude trouble spots such as Afghanistan. And since its clever congressional cheerleaders have made sure that its parts are made in almost every state, killing this platinum-plated porker won't be quick and easy.

            

Too bad. The money saved could be used to improve the proven AH-64A model, increase Apache pilot training, update attack helicopter doctrine to include the lessons learned in both Afghanistan and Gulf War II – and for training senior commanders on how to use these vital war-fighting assets correctly.

            

As for the A-10: Great airplane that belongs to the wrong service – the U.S. Air Force – where the top brass treat it like Cinderella with wings. These trusty flying machines should be transferred to the Army and the Marine Corps for use alongside their AH-64A Apaches and AH-1 Super Cobras as part of an awesome, well-rounded CAS fleet that would support our ground troops with the best combination of the right stuff.  

[JudgeAmint]

Ah-64A Specifications

---

Length: Height: Wing Span:	58.17 ft (17.73 m) 15.24 ft (4.64 m) 17.15 ft (5.23 m)
Primary Mission Gross Weight   15,075 lb (6838 kg)	Standard Day	Hot Day ISA + 15C
Hover In-Ground Effect (MRP)	15,895 ft (4845 m)	14,845 ft (4525 m)
Hover Out-of-Ground Effect (MRP)	12,685 ft (3866 m)	11,215 ft (3418 m)
	Sea Level Standard Day	Hot Day 2000 ft 70 F (21 C)
Vertical Rate of Climb (MRP)	2,175 fpm (663 mpm)	2,050 fpm (625 mpm)
Maximum Rate of Climb (IRP)	2,915 fpm (889 mpm)	2,890 fpm (881 mpm)
Maximum Level Flight Speed	150 kt (279 kph)	153 kt (284 kph)
Cruise Speed (MCP)	150 kt (279 kph)	153 kt (284 kph)

[JudgeAmint]

[ChiefKujo]

Your picture is of an AH-64D Longbow, not an Alpha model. People get confused because only 1/3rd of Longbows have the distinctive radome over the main rotor blades.

Chief

[JudgeAmint]

 

[JudgeAmint]

Noted...just a few quick shots, to get the juices flowing..

[ChiefKujo]

Comments only on the first picture, the next ones are right.

[ChiefKujo]

Hey Judge, the 2nd and 3rd pics look like Germany. Where'd you get them?

[JudgeAmint]

WELCOME, TO

THE DUTCH APACHE SQUADRONS

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

 

http://www.ah64d.com/eng/index_eng.html

 

[_Jim]

Nota Bene: I would view ANYTHING Hack says with a GREAT deal of suspician when it comes to his evaluating modern day equipment, systems OR tactics ...

[JudgeAmint]

[1rudeboy]

Great. Send your best into the ---t, only to have somebody write about how it got shot-up.

[grapeape]

You know I would really like to see us put a well Russian Hind squadron up with the Apache in combat and see what happens.

I am just so sick of seeing our high tech equipment ground to a halt because of unreliability. I really hate the idea of my friends having to carry their M-16 bolts in plastic baggies in their Shirt pockets until a fire fight. Also I was really embarrased to see our soldiers on live TV in a combat situation with their M-16's wrapped in plastic and tape. That really sucks.

[MississippiMan]

If there are any chopper pilots around, what do the 'hover in ground effect' and 'hover out of ground effect' specs mean? I hold a private pilot's ticket, but strictly fixed wing and that spec intrigued me.

MM

[Psycho_Bunny]

I was horribly disappointed in Coronal Hackworth the last time I heard him live; he was virtually freaking-out on Hugh Hewitt's show.  This article seems like the Hackworth I used to really like reading.

Is this a accurate portrayal of the Apache? 

Ping to Army FReeper Peepers.

[JudgeAmint]

Hack's point is valid...the Longbow was made to creep around European battle fields. The desert sands are very tough on low altitude flyers...but the Warthog seems well suited for it all.

[ChiefKujo]

I'm the guy you get your overnight hanger space from when you want to go shopping at the PX in Hanau.

Chief

[MEG33]

Hack as an expert has lost his luster.His arrogance gets in the way.I salute his service.

[JudgeAmint]

Thanks Chief..for keeping the story facts straight...!!

[1rudeboy]

Ok, suppose Hack's questionable point is valid. Are we fighting in deserts from now on?

[ChiefKujo]

Actually, after getting a one-on-one debrief yesterday from a returning A-model pilot, attached to 11th REG during the last two months, and from other methods and sources, I would assure you that Hack is actually a bit more optimistic than I am on what the fallout will be.

Chief