Technical specifications of Boeing's upgraded combat helicopter revealed

Boeing's director of Apache and AH-6 Little Bird program development Terry Damison said that the war in Ukraine pushed engineers to modernize the attack helicopter. In particular, the improvements will concern the issue of countering drones.

According to the expert, after the version of the helicopter E — Echo, a new variant of the helicopter will appear. It will be able to improve the capabilities of countering drones, which become a new important element of modern warfare.

At the same time, the new modernization should get a more powerful engine to increase efficiency — General Electric T901 with 3850 horsepower to replace the predecessor — T700 with 2000 horsepower.

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A Boeing employee added that the new power plant will increase the Apache's combat radius. This will allow it to be used more actively in the Pacific Ocean, and also to receive more weapons. It is planned to enlarge the helicopter's wing and add two more weapons suspension points.

The developers are also talking about changing the Apache fuselage, which still needs to be replaced due to wear. This will also allow for additional internal volume for various systems. The aerodynamics of the machine will also be refined.

The vast majority of updates that will affect the combat capabilities of the new Apache will be less noticeable. We are talking about the total expansion of the digitalization of the attack helicopter in all areas:

• helmet integration, like that of F-35 pilots;
• automation of a huge number of processes with the aim of relieving the burden on pilots;
• construction of the entire helicopter according to the principle of open architecture for constant modernization.

It is worth adding that currently, work on remotorization is not going, because the US Army has so far prioritized the upgrade of the Black Hawk transport.