The Apache is a twin-engined attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). It entered service with the US Army in 1984, and has been exported to Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The US Army has more than 800 Apaches in service with a further 1,000 exported to other nations. The Apache was first used in combat in 1989 by the US military in Panama. It was also employed in the Gulf War and has supported low intensity and peacekeeping operations worldwide including Turkey, Bosnia and Kosovo.

The AH-64D Apache Longbow is equipped with a glass cockpit and advanced sensors, the most noticeable of which being the AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave fire-control radar (FCR) target acquisition system and the Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), housed in a dome located above the main rotor. The radome's raised position enables target detection while the helicopter is behind obstacles (e.g. terrain, trees or buildings). The AN/APG-78 is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 128 targets and engaging up to 16 at once, an attack can be initiated within 30 seconds. A radio modem integrated with the sensor suite allows data to be shared with ground units and other Apaches; allowing them to fire on targets detected by a single helicopter.

The aircraft is powered by a pair of uprated T700-GE-701C engines. The forward fuselage was expanded to accommodate new systems to improve survivability, navigation, and 'tactical internet' communications capabilities. In February 2003, the first Block II Apache was delivered to the U.S. Army, featuring digital communications upgrades. The Japanese Apache AH-64DJP variant is based on the AH-64D; it can be equipped with the AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles for self-defense

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a US Army AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter that was attached to the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, then deployed to Camp Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq, during 2010. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 8-3/4-inches
Rotor Span: 7-1/4-inches

Release Date: December 2018

Historical Account: "The Demon Brigade" - In early 2003, the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade prepared for combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Elements of the Aviation Brigade deployed to Turkey to provide general aviation support to AFOR Turkey and the 1st Infantry Division. This support effort was made without aircraft as the battalion was stuck in Kosovo on "unofficial" deployment orders and after three months of trying to get to Iraq through Turkey the Division was turned around and the aviation elements relocated back to Katterbach.

Upon redeployment, the Aviation Brigade welcomed the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment "Six Shooters" to the brigade as part of its aviation transformation and, on 13 June 2005, inactivated the 1st Squadron, 1st Aviation Regiment "Gunfighters," the colors of which departed for the Longbow Unit Fires Training Program (UFTP).

The 1st Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade (The Demon Brigade) completed a fifteen-month deployment to Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09. The CAB Hq conducted operations from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Speicher. The Combat Aviation Brigade executed operations from eight dispersed locations and provided attack, reconnaissance, assault, general support aviation, MEDEVAC, Air Traffic Control, and Manned and Unmanned Fixed Wing ISR capability throughout Central and Northern Iraq. During the deployment, the CAB's eight Aviation Battalions flew over a combined total of 230,000 combat flight hours (all platforms) providing Aviation Combat, Combat Support, and Combat Service Support to the 1st Armored Division. The unit's participation was critical during the OIF "Surge". During this time, the Combat Aviation Brigade was led by Colonel Jessie O. Farrington and CSM Darrell "Buddy" Wallace.

In March 2010, the Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Iraq for a 12-month rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as to usher in and spearhead Operation New Dawn in September of the same year.