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 The BBC's George Eykyn"The Apache is one of the most feared sights on the modern battle field"  real 28k |
Army recruits top-flight helicopters
The Apache has an awesome array of weaponry
The British Army has taken delivery of one of the most powerful helicopters in modern military use.
The WAH-64 Westland Apache has such state-of-the-art equipment that pilots can read car number plates seven miles away, and launch missile attacks while hovering out of sight behind buildings.
The modern technology on board also allows pilots to see a clear picture of the ground even in conditions of poor visibility and at night.
The WAH-64 Westland Apache has such state-of-the-art equipment that pilots can read car number plates seven miles away, and launch missile attacks while hovering out of sight behind buildings.
The modern technology on board also allows pilots to see a clear picture of the ground even in conditions of poor visibility and at night.
 Apache offers the army of the 21st century a quantum leap in capability  |
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon |
Sixty-seven of the Apaches are being bought by the UK, in a contract worth �2bn.
The first helicopter was handed over to the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, in a ceremony at the GKN Westland factory in Yeovil, Somerset on Wednesday.
Awesome weaponry
"Apache offers the Army of the 21st century a quantum leap in capability as significant as the introduction of the tank in the 20th century," Mr Hoon said ."It has an awesome array of weaponry."
"It gives 16 Air Assault Brigade a capability which will make it the most potent combat formation for its size anywhere in Europe."
Chris Loney, director of public affairs at Westland said the Apache had the next generation of weapons system.
"Because it is air mobile it is much more flexible," he said.
An earlier American model of Apache, the AH-64, earned some negative publicity after being taken to Albania as part of the US force in the Kosovo campaign.
The helicopters were not used, despite a high-profile deployment.
Officials at Westland say the WAH-64 Apaches are more advanced.
"The aircraft in Kosovo were the old models from 1982 but the modern aircraft have better radar enabling them to fly in poor conditions," said Mr Loney.
The Ministry of Defence said the Apaches would form the backbone of the new 16 Air Assault Brigade, working alongside units like the paratroops.
"They are designed to be used across a wide spectrum of situations and the new equipment will make them more capable," a spokesman said.
The first helicopter was handed over to the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, in a ceremony at the GKN Westland factory in Yeovil, Somerset on Wednesday.
Awesome weaponry
"Apache offers the Army of the 21st century a quantum leap in capability as significant as the introduction of the tank in the 20th century," Mr Hoon said ."It has an awesome array of weaponry."
"It gives 16 Air Assault Brigade a capability which will make it the most potent combat formation for its size anywhere in Europe."
Chris Loney, director of public affairs at Westland said the Apache had the next generation of weapons system.
 Geoff Hoon tries the first Apache out for size |
An earlier American model of Apache, the AH-64, earned some negative publicity after being taken to Albania as part of the US force in the Kosovo campaign.
The helicopters were not used, despite a high-profile deployment.
Officials at Westland say the WAH-64 Apaches are more advanced.
"The aircraft in Kosovo were the old models from 1982 but the modern aircraft have better radar enabling them to fly in poor conditions," said Mr Loney.
The Ministry of Defence said the Apaches would form the backbone of the new 16 Air Assault Brigade, working alongside units like the paratroops.
"They are designed to be used across a wide spectrum of situations and the new equipment will make them more capable," a spokesman said.
The Apache's arsenal |
Mast-mounted fire control radar Thermal Imager Laser range finder/designator Pilot's Night Vision System (PNVS) 30 mm chin-mounted cannon 70 mm rockets Hellfire air-to-surface missiles Air-to-air missiles |
The helicopters carry 16 Hellfire missiles, which it can launch from up to five miles away.
A radar system on top of the helicopter enables it to launch missiles from hidden positions behind buildings.
The 67 Apache helicopters will all be in service by the end of 2003.
The first eight are being produced in America by Boeing, which owns the design, with the remaining 59 being produced at the Yeovil factory.
About 180 British companies will benefit from the contract, including BAE Systems Plc, Northern Ireland's Shorts Missile Systems, Hunting Engineering and Anglo-French joint venture Rolls-Royce Turbomeca.
A radar system on top of the helicopter enables it to launch missiles from hidden positions behind buildings.
The 67 Apache helicopters will all be in service by the end of 2003.
The first eight are being produced in America by Boeing, which owns the design, with the remaining 59 being produced at the Yeovil factory.
About 180 British companies will benefit from the contract, including BAE Systems Plc, Northern Ireland's Shorts Missile Systems, Hunting Engineering and Anglo-French joint venture Rolls-Royce Turbomeca.
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