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From: microso!georgem@uunet.UU.NET (George Moore)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Apache specifications (long)
Message-ID: <3360@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 23 Jan 89 02:30:44 GMT
Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM
Lines: 66
Approved: military@att.att.com

sheppard@caen.engin.umich.edu (Ken Sheppardson) writes:
>In article <3204@cbnews.ATT.COM>, nak@cbnews.ATT.COM (Neil A. Kirby) writes:
>> 
>> The standard load for years on the outermost pylons of the Apache is a
>> pair of Sidewinders.   
>
>  No it's not.

Since none of us should be posting secret material to this group, we all
have to make do with public sources.  The following information for the
AH-64A Apache comes from the documentation for the game "Gunship" (an
excellent simulation, BTW).  The authors claim that all of this material is
factual and comes from public sources.  Begin quote:

	Currently no U.S. Army AH-64A Apache carry the AIM-9L Sidewinder.
	According to "the book" Apaches are intended for ground attacks,
	not air-to-air combat.  Reluctantly the Army is recognizing the
	threat of opposing helicopters.  However, due to a bad case of
	interservice myopia, it is considering arming the AH-64A with the
	designed-for-the-Army FIM-92A Stinger, a much smaller and less
	destructive missile intended for use by infantrymen.

	Fortunately American servicemen in combat conditions often ignore
	"the book" and acquire whatever weapon does the job best.  In this
	case, the plentiful and effective AIM-9L Sidewinder, despite being
	an Air Force weapon, is likely to find its way into the arsenals of
	Apache attack helicopter squadrons.  Wiring up Apache weapons wings
	for Sidewinders is easily done "in the field."  For all of these
	reasons, the AH-64A portrayed in this simulation is armed with 
	Sidewinders, not Stingers.

It goes on to describe the history of the Sidewinder, the 2.75" Folding Fin
Aerial Rockets (FFAR), the AGM-114A Hellfire Anti-Tank laser guided missile,
the 30mm chain cannon, and the Target Acquisition & Designation System
(TADS) on the Apache.

It also includes a specification sheet for the Apache:

	Overall Length: 	58'2"
	Overall Width:		48'0"
	Overall Height:		15'3"
	Weigth Empty:		10,268 lbs.

	Engines: 		two T700-GE-701 turboshaft jets
	Nominal Engine SHP:	1,649 per engine
	Maximum Engine SHP:	1,896 (running on one engine)
	Rotor Speed:		280 RPM
	Fuel Capacity:		376 gallons

	Maximum Horizontal Airspeed:		162 knots (184 mph)
	VDL "never exceed" Maximum Airspeed:	197 knots (224 mph)
	Rated Maximum Climb:	2,880 feet per minute
	Service Ceiling:	20,500 feet
	Avionics:		VHF, UHF, IFF, PNVS, TADS, DASE, Doppler Nav.

	Maximum AGM-114A Hellfires:	16 missiles
	Maximum 2.75" FFAR Rockets:	four 19-rocket pods (76 total)
	Maximum 30mm Rounds:		1200 rounds
	Maximum AIM-9L Sidewinders:	6 missiles
	Maximum FIM-92A Stingers:	6 missiles

	Production Cost in 1986 dollars:	$7.3 million each
	Amortized R&D Cost in 1986 dollars:	$1.1 million each
	

-George Moore	(georgem@microsoft)