Summary The AH-64 Apache has a deadly arsenal, including a 30mm chain gun, rockets, and missiles. Lockheed Martin produces the Target Acquisition and Designation System (TADS) for the Apache. TADS has shown exceptional accuracy in combat operations, such as during Operation Just Cause and the Persian Gulf War.
As I mentioned in a recently published article in Simple Flying, the Boeing AH-64 Apache is arguably the most devastating helicopter gunship ever devised (although, playing devil's advocate, one could reasonably also make the case for the American-made Bell AH-1 Super Cobra [AKA "Whiskey Cobra"] or the Soviet/Russian-made Mi-24 "Hind" ). A major reason for the Apache's battlefield success and reputation is its impressive arsenal, including: M230 30mm chain gun Hydra-70 and CRV7 70 mm (2.75 in) air-to-ground rockets, AGM-114 Hellfire missile AIM-92 Stinger missile The Apache is arguably the world's most effective attack helicopter.
We now examine how this chopper was utilized in US military deployments. However, the legendary whirlybird's formidable menu of ordnance wouldn't do much good without an accurate targeting system to ensure that those munitions actually hit their targets! With that in mind, Simple Flying now takes a look at the AH-64's top-notch, state-of-the-art Target Acquisition and Designation System (TADS). The basics of TADS Though the AH-64 is a Boeing product (McDonnell Douglas prior to that [1984-1997] and Hughes Helicopters [1975-1984]), the TADS syst.