Taiwan to Receive First 6 AH-64E Apache Helicopters in October This Year

Taiwan will be the first country outside the United States to operate the latest Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, when it receives its first 6 in October this year. All are expected to have been delivered by July 2014.

The 6 are part of the 30 AH-64E helicopters ordered in 2008 in a deal worth $2.04 billion. The AH-64E, formerly known as the AH-64D Block III, was selected over the AH-1Z attack helicopter.

The Boeing AH-64E helicopter:

• has a crew of 2
• a length of 17.73 m
• a rotor diameter of 14.63 m
• a height of 3.87 m
• a max takeoff weight of 10433 kg
• has a maximum speed of 365 kph
• has an effective combat radius of 480 km
• has 2 GE T700-GE-701D turboshafts, 2000 shp each

The aircraft can be armed with up to 16 Hellfire missiles or up to 4 Stinger air-to-air missiles and carries a 30 mm cannon with 1200 rounds of ammunition.

The Apache attack helicopters will join the 2 squadrons of AH-1W Super Cobras Taiwan currently has in service.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/01/14/2003552496

By Los688 [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons