AH-64 Walk Around

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20	Shot of the under-wing ordinance from the rear. Notice the blackening around the middle of the rocket pods from where the rockets were fired, and the red coverings on the rear of the Hellfire missiles to keep foreign objects out of the missiles when the helicopter is on the ground. Never put these on Hellfires mounted on an aircraft in action or preparing to take off.	A shot of the rear of the port engine pod from below showing the exhaust diffusers, as well as some stenciling.	A shot from the port-side aft of the aircraft showing the exhaust diffusers used to lessen the heat signature of the aircraft's engines. The device mounted behind the main rotor mast is an Infra-Red jamming device known as the 'disco ball'. These devices are common on all modern US military helicopters and are meant to confuse enemy heat-seeking missiles. The ridges on either side of the disco ball are roof stiffeners designed to help strengthen the fuselage.


Shot of the tail boom from the starboard side showing the tail rotors, flare dispenser, and tail wheel.	A shot of the starboard wing of another Apache looking towards the tail boom showing an external fuel tank mounted on the inboard pylon, and an empty weapon rack used to carry Hellfire missiles. Also notice the flare dispenser mounted towards the rear of the tail boom.	A close-up shot of the starboard side of an Apache showing some of the handles used to get on top of the aircraft for maintenance work.	27

Photos directly below were taken the last open day of RAF Woodbridge just before it closed.

The 7 photos directly below were taken by Bryan Ribbans.


Shot of the starboard wing showing a traditional loadout for the Apache, including Hellfire anti-tank missiles on the inboard pylon, and a 2.75" rocket pod on the outboard pylon. Some Apaches can also mount AIM-9 Sidewinder or FIM-92A Stinger missiles on the wingtips for defense against enemy aircraft.	Shot of the main rotor head and sensor mast. The sensor mast on the AH-64D 'Longbow' Apache mounts a special radome that allows the Apache to scan for targets while hiding behind cover with only the radome exposed.	A shot from the starboard side of the Hughes 30mm chain gun automatic cannon. Also visible in this shot is one of the 2.75" unguided rocket pods on the port wing, although this one is currently empty.	Shot of the nose of the helicopter from the starboard side showing the sensor assemblies. The Apache has a helmet-mounted sight system that allows the co-pilot to scan for targets and aim the helicopter's weapons simply by looking at it. It operates via special receptors in the cockpit that sense where the co-pilot's head is looking and point the daylight & night-vision scanners (lower pod facing viewer) and the chain-gun in that direction. This system can also lower and elevate the angle of the rocket pods on the wing pylons to bring them to bear on any targets ahead of the aircraft that the co-pilot may be looking at. The sensor mounted on the top of the nose is a Target Acquisition and Designation Sight, or TADS.


Shot from the port side of the engine with the panel open for maintenance access to the General Electric T700 turboshaft engine. Also visible in this shot is the port-side wingtip navigation light.	Shot of the tail-rotors of the Apache.	Head-on shot of the Apache showing all the under-wing weapons pylons, nose sensors, and the tie-downs used to secure the main rotor blades when the aircraft is in storage or transport.	A shot from the port bow of the helicopter showing the swept-back edges of the main rotor blades designed to give better aerodynamic performance. Also notice how the daylight & night-vision sensors are swiveled so as to conceal the lenses and keep them protected while the helicopter is on the ground.


Another head-on shot of the Apache, this time a bit closer. If you look closely you can see the windshield wipers on the front of the canopy.	A shot from the starboard bow of the Apache. If you look in the pilot's window you can see his helmet hanging inside the cockpit. The helmets used by Apache crews have a special monocle that functions similarly to the Heads-Up Display in fighter aircraft. The helmet is also equipped with special laser emitters that tell receptors mounted strategically in the cockpit where the pilot or co-pilot's head is facing so the nose sensors and weapons can be brought to bear in that direction.	A shot from the port bow of an Apache. Notice the black spot on the front of the sponson. This is a threat sensor designed to detect incoming missiles and targeting systems attempting to lock onto the helicopter.	Another shot from the starboard bow of an Apache, this time with the co-pilot's door open.

If you feel there is a need for descriptions for this walk around, then feel free to type them up and quote the photo numbers above and forward the descriptions to Steve Bamford, so they can be put up into this walkaround. We could really use our viewers help with this. An expert on this aircraft could write much better descriptions than we could.


A close-up shot of the port sponson showing one of the tie-down hardpoints, the port-side main landing gear, and the latch for the pilot's door.	29	30	31


13	Close-up shot of the nose showing the TADS and daylight/night-vision sensors.	A shot from the port side of an Apache. the angled spikes are part of a cable-cutter system that will cut any power lines that the helicopter may collide with while flying at low altitudes.	16


17	A shot from the port-aft of the helicopter, showing the end of the tail boom with the elevator mounted above the tail wheel.	A shot off the starboard bow of an Apache with an external fuel tank mounted in place of weaponry on the inboard pylon.