The AH-64 Apache is the United States Army's principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. It was designed by Hughes, further developed by McDonnell Douglas and is currently produced by Boeing.
The AH-64 is a two-seat attack helicopter powered by two General Electric T700 turbo-shaft engines. The crew sit in tandem, with the pilot sitting behind and above the copilot-gunner in an armored crew compartment. The helicopter is armed with a 30mm M230 chain gun and carries a mixture of missles and rockets on its stub-wing pylons.
Built to endure front-line environments, it can operate during the day or night and in adverse weather using the integrated helmet and display sight system. The Apache is also equipped with some of the latest avionics and electronics, such as the Target Acquisition and Designation System, Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS), passive infrared countermeasures and GPS.
