Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian
Boeing · United States · first flew 2008 · helicopter
The AH-64E Guardian is the latest production Apache variant, introducing composite rotor blades, uprated engines, and digital connectivity improvements over the AH-64D Longbow.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Composite semi-rigid main rotor blades with wider chord and different tip geometry than AH-64D's all-metal blades
- Uprated General Electric T700-GE-701D engines producing 15% more power, recognisable by updated engine nacelle fairings
- No standard mast-mounted radar dome in baseline fit — though can accept Longbow radar; sleeker mast head distinguishes it from D-model
Externally similar to AH-64D but lacks the distinctive mast-mounted radar dome in standard fit; composite rotor blade tips have a distinctive swept-back profile compared to D-model metal blades. Compare to the AH-64D by checking for the mushroom dome at the rotor head.
Specifications
- The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian has a length of 17.73 m (58 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.63 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 296 km/h (184 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Boeing flew the first AH-64E in September 2008 under the Block III designation, entering US Army service in 2011. The E-model adds Level 4 unmanned aircraft systems manned-unmanned teaming capability, allowing the crew to control drone wingmen; composite blades give a 15 knot speed increase at high altitude/hot conditions.
Variants
The AH-64E v6 (2018 onwards) adds improved datalinks and sensor fusion; several export customers have procured the E-model, including India, Egypt, and the UAE. The UK's Apache AH.2 is a WAH-64D upgraded to E-model standard.
Where you'll see it
Replacing AH-64D in US Army attack helicopter units from 2011; the UK AAC is upgrading its Apache AH.1 fleet to AH.2 (E-model) standard at Wattisham, with 3 Regiment AAC operating from the airfield alongside updated aircraft.
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