Fuji AH-64D Apache Longbow

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Hello everyone! Today I would like to present to you the Fuji AH-64D Apache Longbow operated by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force! This helicopter is currently the most advanced combat helicopter in the arsenal of the Japanese military!

 

 

 

History:

The need to replace the AH-1S dawned on the JGSDF fairly early on, and in 2000 the replacement program was started. The AH-64 Apache, regarded by some as the most powerful attack helicopter was designed and developed for the US Army. It replaced the AH-1 Cobra in US Army service in the late 1990's and has gained a reputation in the conflicts of the Middle East. Arguably the most notable equipment on the AH-64D, is the Longbow radar, perched above the primary rotor's. The Longbow is able to track 128 targets, and engage up to 16 targets simultaneously with a full payload of AGM-114L Longbow Hellfires. On August 27th, 2001 the AH-64D Block II was announced as the winner of the replacement to Fuji AH-1S Cobra. The aircraft were able to mount air-to-air missiles and received an internal company designation of AH-64DJP, however in the JGSDF it is officially designated the AH-64D. 62 Fuji AH-64D's were ordered and Japan took inventory of the first ones by 2006, however increasing costs and Boeing discontinuing its own AH-64D production lead this number to be reduced to only 13 aircraft with production ending in 2013, Fuji's AH-64D were not equipped with infrared jammers.  In 2017 it was announced that Lockheed Martin would modernize all 13 of Japan's AH-64D's by equipping them with the updated M‑TADS/PNVS targeting and sensor package with the M-DSA (Modernized Day Sensor Assembly), these upgrades will take place sometime in 2020. Due to the cancellation of further production of the AH-64D, the AH-1S has yet to be replaced. The AH-X program continues, with rumoured contenders including the AH-1Z, AH-64E, and Tiger. 12 AH-64D's remain in JGSDF service as of October 2018 after one helicopter was lost in a fatal accident.

 

 

 

In-Game:

The AH-64D would likely be the top helicopter of Japan, and sit at 10.0 if higher BR's are not introduced. Without a doubt if added it would be placed after the AH-1S with its superior armament and protection. The main difference between a potential US Apache, and the Japanese AH-64D would be the lack of IRCM on the Japanese helicopter, and the addition of four AIM-92 air-to-air missiles.

 

 

Specifications:

 

General characteristics:

 

Crew: Two

Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.76 m)

Rotor diametre: 48 ft (14.63 m)

Height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)

Empty weight: 11,800 lb (5,352 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 22,282 lb (10,107 kg)

Powerplant: 2 ×  Ishikawajima-Harima T700-IHI-701C's, 1,890 SHP (1,409 kW) each

Rotor system: 4 x primary blades, 4 x tail blades

Fuselage length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)

Stub wingspan: N/A

 

Performance:

 

Never exceed speed: 227 mph (365 km/h)

Maximum speed: 172 mph (276 km/h)

Range: 305 mi (490 km)

Service ceiling: 13,688 ft (4,172 m)

Rate of climb: 1,772 ft/min (9 m/s)

 

Armament:

 

1x M230A1 30mm cannon

16x AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire air-to-ground missiles

76x 70mm Hydra rockets

4x AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles

 

Other:

 

Engine exhaust infrared suppression

AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar (8 km (5 mi) max range)

AN/APR-39A radar warning receiver

AN/ALQ-136 radar jammer

Chaff/flare dispenser 

TADS/PNVS thermal targeting & camera system

Laser designator 

JAVN-V6 helmet mounted night vision 

 

 

Sources:

Spoiler

https://thediplomat.com/2017/05/us-to-upgrade-japans-attack-helicopter-fleet/

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-64D_アパッチ・ロングボウ

https://rikuzi-chousadan.com/soubihin/koukuuki/ah-64d.html

 

Edited December 6, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[SAUBER_KH7 3,326]

Open for Discussion.

[BinnsyBoi 77]

This is just me, but i feel like this is the same as the SH-60K, the armament is mainly hellfires which aren't needed atm. Though, same with the SH-60K, once ground forces get more modern ground vehicles and require hellfires to be able to be effective against them, then hell yes im down for both of these.

[WulfPack 1,693]

Was wondering if you'd do this one.

+1

[MyWaifuIsKeqing 756]

How about America gets Their own Helicopter First? Besides There can be Huey's and the Kawasaki OH-1. Tanks and are too lacking to have Apache's flying around. And Some helicopters currently in game don't even have their correct load out, like the AH-1Z Viper Missing its Hellfire ATGM

[TheDeathYouDeny@psn 39]

6 minutes ago, _Amatsukaze said:

How about America gets Their own Helicopter First? Besides There can be Huey's and the Kawasaki OH-1. Tanks and are too lacking to have Apache's flying around. And Some helicopters currently in game don't even have their correct load out, like the AH-1Z Viper Missing its Hellfire ATGM

I really hope we get the radar guided hellfires soon. But when missles come I pretty sure we would see some crazy things. Japanese helicopter tree seems nice from what I seen so far though 

[WulfPack 1,693]

18 minutes ago, _Amatsukaze said:

like the AH-1Z Viper Missing its Hellfire ATGM

Mi-35M is missing ATGMs aswell. They aren't in the game for balancing reasons. 

As for implementing them in the same fashion, as that's suggested here, that's fine. 

Edited November 6, 2018 by WulfPack

[Wiggly_Armed_Man 2,383]

I want that 30 mm daka. +1

[Milocat 4,854]

+1 for a Japanese Apache with proper tiering.  This would be a good capstone to their tree.

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Updated history information

 

JGSDF AH-64D's are not equipped with infrared jamming systems (IRCM)

 

Added specifications:

 

Engine exhaust suppression & chaff/flares dispenser

Edited March 26, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

As the info is now relevant to 1.91, ive added the following in specifications:

 

TADS/PNVS thermal targeting & camera system

JAVN-A6 helmet mounted night vision 

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Added the following:

 

AN/APR-39A radar warning receiver

AN/ALQ-136 radar jammer

 

Edited September 3, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Added follow info:

 

AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar

Laser designator

[aizenns 3,591]

Yesterday (November 20), Japanese AH-64Ds restarted the flights!
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20191120/amp/k10012184191000.html?__twitter_impression=true

In February 5, 2018, one Japanese AH-64D was crashed. (main rotor was disassembled during test flight after periodic maintenance)

Because of it, all AH-64D of JGSDF could not flight.

 

Although it is an aside, but perhaps Japanese AH-64D will be one of the most high-cost mass-production helicopters in game. Including all costs (license costs, penalties etc), average cost per one AH-64DJP was 9.2 billion yen. (As the current rate, about 480 billion US dollars)

**cost information from Wikipedia 

Edited November 20, 2019 by aizenns

[shimon_barkokhba 129]

I am willing to bet it will be a premium helicopter 

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.

[leroyonly 4,310]

As the Fuji AH-64D Apache Longbow has been added as per update 1.99 Starfighters,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.