The History of the Apache Helicopter

As the world's foremost attack helicopter, the AH-64 Apache had been designed to survive in combat situations. It was built with what turned out to be an award-winning design by Hughes Helicopters Inc. The Apache prototype was designated YAH-64 and first flew in 1975. Then Hughes in 1976 was granted a full-blown development contract.

The United States Army preferred the AH-64A Apache (new designation) to the Bell YAH-63. Hughes Helicopter was awarded the pre-production contract. This contract was for two of the Apaches. Then the Army gave the approval for full production in 1982. In 1984 the deliveries began out of the plant in Mesa, Arizona. By this time Hughes Helicopters was part of the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems.

Advanced technologies like the TADS/PNVS were added to bolster the effectiveness of the Apache in supporting the ground operations. The same engines were used in this helicopter as in the Navy's Seahawk (SH-60) and the Army's Black Hawk (UH-60), the T700.

During the 1980s the design was improved by McDonnell Douglas and the AH-64 B had and improved cockpit and upgrades that included a new fire-control system. The funding in 1988 was approved for the multi-stage improvement of the weapon and sensor avionic systems and to add some of the digital systems. But then better technology became available and this program was scratched to make more dramatic alterations.

The Apache, because of it being heavily armed and highly manouverable, became the backbone for ground support, no matter what the weather conditions, for the U.S. Army. Then in 1992 the AH-64D Apache Longbow came on the scene, which was vastly improved upon from the AH-64A. The prototype for the AH-64D Apache Longbow was first flown on the 14th of May in 1992.

Testing was not completed until April 1995 after it had been proven that they AH-64D Apache Longbow had greatly surpassed the AH-64A Apache. In October that year full production was approved for the AH64-D Apache Longbow. Also a contract was approved to upgrade the AH-64 Apaches too. The first of the AH-64D Apache Longbows were delivered March 31, 1997.

It was in August of 1997 when McDonnell Douglas merged with The Boeing Company under the Boeing name. The total cost for the AH-64D Apache program was US$11 billion up to and through 2007. Boeing delivered some 500 of the AH-64D Apaches to various clients across the world by August 2004. This aircraft features the latest in digital communications abilities to enable transferring battle information in real time along with having totally-integrated weapons and avionics. These improvements make this helicopter simpler to maintain, more readily deployed, and even more likely to survive. This helicopter is still in use today in a variety of countries including the United States.

Some specifications are listed below:

Model number: AH-64 
First flight: Sept. 30, 1975 
Height: 15 feet 3 inches 
Length: 48 feet 2 inches 
Rotor diameter: 48 feet 
Ceiling: 21,000 feet 
Power plant: Two of the T700 turboshaft engines from GE providing 1,900-shaft-horsepower 
Range: 260 miles 
Top speed: 192 mph

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Did China's Military Give Stolen US Technology to North Korea and Iran?

Now then, I'm not one to point thinkers, well that's not really true; I will point fingers back at someone who is pointing theirs at me, or at my country for that matter. In fact, recently a few of the protégés coming up in the Communist Party as the elders pass the torch had mentioned that the United States was a sneaky troublemaker causing problems for the expansion plans of the Chinese in the South China seas and other places. I find this problematic because it is a lot like the Obama Administration planing blame games blaming everything on the Republicans.

Secondly, I have a problem with it because we do know that the Chinese sometimes go out of their way to make things tough for the United States when there are disputes over trade, or diplomatic issues. The United States as the world's only superpower currently is entrusted by our allies to help keep the peace, China is definitely an ally. Some, such as those scholars at the RAND Corporation have written papers suggesting that China's international behavior is not hostile. Well, yes and no, it depends if China needs or wants something, such as resources for instance.

Many have said that the North Korean's rocket and the Iranian drone which both appeared in the global media looked very familiar, probably Chinese, but everything the Chinese has looks vaguely familiar to me, why - because it looks like US hardware, or Russian in some cases. In Bill Gertz's book "Treachery" he practically outlines the case for all of this, and he does name names as well, including companies, many of which are also state run companies.

We also know that China has been hacking into our defense contractors, our oil industry, and there is so much corporate espionage going on in the research and development arena in Silicon Valley, Boston, Atlanta, Austin, and Washington DC that it would make your head spin. The Chinese aren't stupid, after all they built the first firecrackers, rockets, fireworks, and they make all of our American flags that we proudly displayed during our Fourth of July. Obviously it's their holiday too, and they are enjoying those financial rewards.

Some have said that the reason that China supports Iran is because it is a thorn in America's side, it keeps us busy. That, plus the Chinese buy oil from Iran, and they are able to sell Iran military hardware and equipment. I would submit to you that the same thing is true when it comes to North Korea. Having the Chinese involved in six party talks is hilarious, after all it is probably the Chinese that gave the North Koreans most of the technology they have today. I find the whole thing laughable, if it wasn't so unfortunate that it is coming from our nation's preferred trading partner.

If I were to advise China on anything, it would be not to piss off the United States of America, and start negotiating from a win-win perspective on things such as trade, rights of the sea, and international banking and monetary policy. If China joins the Western world in a win-win situation we can unite this planet and we won't have to worry about any of the other nonsense going on from rogue nations, no one deserves to have to deal with that crap. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

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