AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III

The Army’s next-generation attack helicopter, the AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III (AB3), makes its professional debut today in Mesa, Ariz., and received a special blessing with some unique fanfare.
The White Mountain Apache Tribe joined the celebration by conducting a solemn ceremony at dawn that honored Apache ancestors and bestowed Indian blessing for strength and endurance on the newest evolution of this Apache helicopter.

Nov.02., MESA, Ariz - Inside a hangar against a backdrop of lights, fog, and looking as intimidating as ever, the first AH-64D Longbow Apache Block III (AB3) was revealed to the public for the first time during a Roll Out ceremony Nov. 2 at the Boeing Apache production plant in Mesa, Ariz.

Prior to the ceremony, a sacred blessing of the aircraft was performed by the White Mountain Apache Tribe led by Chairman Ronnie Lupe who is also a Korean War veteran, assisted by his executive officer Jerry Gloshay, Jr. and spiritual leader Ramon Riley. The blessing was steep in Apache tradition that included a prayer, a ‘smudging’ of the aircraft, the singing of two songs and a final blessing. The semi-private ceremony was held on Boeing’s flight line at dawn with approximately 30 attendees.

Apache Chairman Ronnie Lupe (middle) gives the traditional Apache sacred blessing to the first Apache Block III aircraft on the tarmac of the Boeing Apache factory in Mesa, Arizona. The blessing occurred at dawn just prior to the Apache Block III rollout ceremony.

(you can catch more hi-res images here)

Army Aviation’s leading general officers – MG Tim Crosby, PEO Aviation, and MG Anthony Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence – were on-hand to personally welcome this aircraft to the Army fleet.
So what makes the Apache Block 3 stand-out?  Let’s look at some hard facts:

• Faster: Combat speed around 164 knots, about 20 knots faster than those currently in service
• Higher: Ability to operate at 6,000 feet and 95 degrees at an out-of-ground effect hover with a full mission payload
• Efficient: Re-manufacture program, that upgrades and furbishes existing Apaches with AB3 specific capability insertions

Essentially, the new Apaches will be stronger, faster and less constrained in extreme combat conditions.
Why is all of this important?  It’s critical that the Army continues to modernize the force by maintaining technical superiority over enemy forces as to ensure we retrain our fighting edge.
In need of more justification, look no further than the clip below that visually illustrates what capabilities AB3 will bring to the battlefield.

The first destination for the AB3’s will be at Fort Riley, Kan. – home of the 1st Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.  Shortly thereafter, the fleet will held to Fort Campbell, Ky., as part of the Army’s first full-spectrum 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.
Now how does this aircraft support full-spectrum operations?  The AB3 will have Level IV functioning, which means the pilot can now control the flight path, weapons systems AND sensors on an Unmanned Aerial System.
All of these capabilities will once again demonstrate Army Aviation’s influence in the battlefield as a major combat multiplayer as it plays a critical role in future mission successes.

Posted in: AH-64D, AirForce, Apache, photos, video