ARMY WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

Army, Oct 2007

AIRCRAFT

Rotary Wing

The AH-6/MH-6 Little Bird (Cayuse) Helicopter is in service with the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR). Following service in Vietnam, the Army's fleet of OH-6 light observation and command helicopters (LOACH) was reassigned to Army National Guard units. With their excellent roll-on /roll-off mobility and extremely high power-to-weight ratios, however, the aircraft subsequently were tapped for special operations applications in 1980.

Capability upgrades include performance, avionics, navigation, communications, targeting, weapons and night operations. Although primarily equipped with the 7.62 mm minigun or Hydra 70 (2.75-inch) rocket system, the AH-6/MH-6 can accommodate a range of gun and rocket options.

The AH-6J/MH-6] mission-enhanced Little Bird (MELB) program is a major modification to the existing AH-6/MH-6 fleet. The modification is packaged as a kit that replaces existing components on the aircraft. The new MELB aircraft will have a sixblade main rotor system, a four-blade tail rotor, an improved drive train and the Allison 250-C30R3 full-authority, digital-engine control (FADEC). The MELB also incorporates an improved landing gear, crashworthy fuel cells, enlarged rear doors and external extended-range fuel tanks. The MELB modifications will change the look and performance of the AH-6/MH-6 aircraft.

The MELB program increases the performance and safety margins of the existing Little Bird aircraft. The modifications increase the maximum gross weight of the aircraft to 4,700 pounds; improve the high/hot performance capabilities of the aircraft; and move the extended-range fuel tanks from inside the cabin area, thereby increasing the cabin space available to the supported ground commander. In addition, there is a concurrent program to improve the weapon management system for the AH configuration. The MELB program boosts the performance and extends the life of the AH-6/MH-6 aircraft.

The AH-64A Apache Helicopter provides day, night and adverse weather attack helicopter capability. The Apache is the Army's primary attack helicopter. It is a quick-reacting, airborne weapon system that can fight both close and deep to destroy, disrupt or delay enemy forces. The Apache first entered service inventories in 1984.

The aircraft is designed to fight and survive throughout the world. It is equipped with a target acquisition designation sight and a pilot night-vision sensor that permit its two-man crew to navigate and attack in darkness and adverse weather. The Apache's principal mission is to destroy high-value targets with the Hellfire missile. It also is capable of employing a 30 mm M230 chin-mounted automatic cannon and Hydra 70 rockets that are lethal against a variety of targets.

The Apache has a maximum speed of 145 knots. It has a maximum gross weight range of 240 nautical miles (A model) and 230 nautical miles (D model) with range extension capability using internal and external tanks. The Apache has a full range of aircraft survivability equipment and the ability to withstand hits from rounds up to 23 millimeters in critical areas. Apache ordnance consists of the Hellfire Missile (RF/SAL versions), 2.75-inch rockets (all versions) and 30 mm HEI rounds.

The AH-64D Longbow is being fielded through a combination of new production and remanufacture of AH-64A aircraft. The AH-64D incorporates the Longbow fire-control radar (FCR), capable of being used day or night, in adverse weather and through battlefield obscurants. The AH-64D consists primarily of the integration of a mast-mounted millimeter-wave fire-control radar, a radar frequency interferometer and a radar frequency fire-and-forget Hellfire missile.

The Longbow's digitized target acquisition system provides automatic detection, location, classification, prioritizing and target handover. The AH-64D cockpit is redesigned to digitize and multiplex all systems.

The manpower and personnel integration program (MANPRINT) crew stations have multifunction displays to reduce crew workload and increase effectiveness. The AH-64D provides a truly coordinated rapid-fire (16 separate targets within one minute) capability to the maneuver force commander on a 24-hour basis and in any conditions.

The mission of the Army's CH-47D Chinook Helicopter, a tandem-rotor heavylift helicopter, is to transport weapons, ammunition, equipment, troops and other cargo in general support of combat units and in operations other than war. The D model of the aircraft is the result of refurbishment and conversion from previous models. It has become the assault aircraft of choice in the high-altitude battlefields of Afghanistan during the global war on terrorism. In peacetime the aircraft provides critical disaster relief by supporting firefighting, rescue and supply efforts.

Ongoing modifications to the CH-47D fleet include a powerplant upgrade to T55GA-714A engines, crashworthy extendedrange fuel system II (ERFS II), engine air particle separators (EAPS) and ALE-47 countermeasure dispensing system.