One-Third Of Those Hours Have Come In Last Five Years

Boeing reports that the US Army's fleet of AH-64 Apache combat helicopters has logged more than two million flight hours, according to recently released US Army operational summary data.

Nearly one-third of all flight hours have occurred in the past four years, including almost 700,000 hours since the 9/11 attacks and subsequent activity in Afghanistan and Iraq. Apache helicopters continue to fly hundreds of hours a month in both countries, in support of peacekeeping operations.

The summary data, compiled from US Army Apache deployments around the world, indicates the combat helicopter fleet reached the two million flight hour milestone in late 2005. Currently, the US Army's total combined flight time for the fleet is more than 2.1 million hours.

Neither the number of combat hours logged by US Army Apaches, nor the total number of flight hours for all Apache helicopters worldwide, has been released.

Eleven nations either fly or have selected AH-64 Apache helicopters. Nearly 1,100 Apaches -- in either the AH-64A or AH-64D configuration -- are in service around the world.

AH-64A Apaches, which first entered service with the US Army in 1984, have logged more than 1.6 million flight hours. AH-64D Apaches have logged more than 400,000 flight hours.

"Achieving this remarkable milestone demonstrates the outstanding skills and commitment by US Army soldiers in demanding conditions and challenging environments around the world," said Al Winn, Boeing vice president of Apache programs. "We're proud to provide and support this unmatched combat aircraft for the defense of freedom."

Boeing introduced the AH-64D Apache Longbow, the newest member of the Apache family, in 1997. It features fully integrated avionics and weapons plus a state-of-the-art modem that transmits real-time, secure digitized battlefield information to air and ground forces. It can rapidly detect, classify, prioritize and engage stationary or moving opposition targets at standoff ranges in nearly all weather environments.

FMI: www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/index.htm