The Indian media is abuzz with reports that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has selected Boeing’s Apache Longbow advanced attack helicopter. The media inference has come from a report from Moscow stating that the only other competitor, Russia’s Mi-28 Night Hunter, had not passed the tender for 22 combat helicopters. There has been no official confirmation on the report as yet.

The multi-mission AH-64D Apache Longbow is the next-generation version of original AH-64A Apache. With its fire-control radar, the aircraft is known as the AH-64D Apache Longbow. Without the radar, the combat-proven aircraft is called the AH-64D Apache.

The radar-equipped AH-64D Apache Longbow features numerous enhanced capabilities, including longer-range weapons accuracy and all-weather/night fighting; detection of objects (moving or stationary) without being detected; classification and threat-prioritisation of up to 128 targets in less than a minute and integrated sensors, networking, and digital communications for situational awareness, management of the combat arena in real time, and digital transmission of images and target locations to joint operations battlefield commanders.

The twin-engine tandem seat Apache is operated by two pilots, and can execute an attack within 30 seconds of an alert. It is equipped with Northrop Grumman’s highly sophisticated millimetre wave Longbow fire control radar and Lockheed Martin’s Hellfire and Raytheon’s Stinger missiles. The Block III is the latest version being delivered to the US army from this year. Apache has a strong shell made of composite fibres to protect the pilots and sensitive components from bullets.