Home Asia Pacific US deploys newest AH-64 V6 Apache variant to South Korea

US deploys newest AH-64 V6 Apache variant to South Korea

V6 Apache in South Korea
An Apache AH-64E Version 6 Apache helicopter is rolled off an Air Force C-17 at Osan Air Base, South Korea December 2021. Photo: US Air Force

The US Army has deployed the most modern variant of its Apache attack helicopter to South Korea as 4th Battalion (Attack), 2nd Aviation Regiment (4-2 AB) received the first units at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

4-2 AB became the first overseas unit to receive the newest AH-64 Version 6 (V6) helicopter, when fielding began in November last year. The unit has since received 12 of 24 aircraft.

The Apaches arrived in the country via Air Force C-17 from manufacturing facilities in Mesa, Ariz. After inspection and assembly at Osan Air Base, they were flown to Camp Humphreys.

“The fielding of the new AH-64E V6s Apache aircraft is a turning point for 4-2 Attack Battalion and we are thrilled to deploy this airframe. The upgraded aircraft integrates modern technology for both the aviator and maintainers in our battalion,” Capt. Timothy Iuchs, D Company commander, said. “For our maintainers, the new systems onboard allows them better diagnostic capability and decreases the downtime of the aircraft. While for the aviator, AH-64E provides an overall increased situational awareness with an upgraded sensor suite, level 4 manned-unmanned teaming, and an upgraded drive system which is a vast improvement over the Delta variant of the model.”

The V6 is equipped with the latest in communications, navigation, sensors and for the first time a cognitive decision aiding system (CDAS). These systems provide a major path forward in the Apache program and a key aspect to the Apache’s role in joint all-domain operations and for our international partners.

The Version 6 AH-64E model of the Apache is the final planned modernization of the aircraft, replacing the AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.

Upgrades include an improved cockpit map display that will allow pilots to use digital map images to see terrain and other topographical features, increasing pilot situational awareness.

Multiple upgrades to the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision System (MTADS/PNVS) will provide improved resolution and acuity allowing pilots to pick up targets more clearly at longer distances on their display screens.

A GEN3 Day Sensor Assembly (GEN3 DSA), which doubles the sensor’s field of view and increases resolution while adding color imagery is aimed at improving target detection and identification.

The helicopters also feature Link 16 communications, as well as Manned-Unmanned Teaming E\eXpanded (MUMT-X) software designed to allow Apache pilots to directly control other Army unmanned aerial systems, and receive UAS video in the cockpit while directing their flight path and controlling their sensors.

Fielding of the aircraft is projected to be completed in February 2022.