On March 10, 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence officially accepted its 50th AH-64E Apache attack helicopter at a ceremony held at Boeing’s facility in Mesa, Arizona. A contingent from the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), led by Mark Langrill, Director of Helicopter and Uncrewed Systems, oversaw the acceptance process. This particular aircraft will remain in the US for software testing focused on enhanced interoperability with Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (MUM-T) before being delivered to the UK in 2026. The AH-64E, a twin-engine helicopter with a tandem crew configuration, is designed for all-weather, day-and-night operational capabilities, targeting air defense systems, tanks, and armored vehicles. Equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon, up to 76 Hydra 70 rockets or APKWS missiles, and 16 Hellfire missiles, its advanced fire control radar can detect over 1,000 potential targets, classifying up to 256 and prioritizing 16 threats in real-time. The UK’s modernization of its Apache fleet, transitioning from WAH-64D to AH-64E, was sanctioned by the US State Department in 2015 for up to $3 billion, with an initial contract signed in July 2016 worth $2.3 billion. The successful integration and deployment of the AH-64E Apaches, aimed for full operational status by 2024, significantly enhance the UK’s air combat capabilities and combat readiness, marking a pivotal advancement in its military aviation strategy.
