The poor performance of the Tiger helicopter has become particularly evident after the new version introduced better fire-and-forget helicopters. Has the official team considered adding the Dutch AH-64E helicopter to the German tech tree?
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Why would it go to Germany and not France, home of the Dutch Tech Tree?
Just curious. Not here to blame. Just wondering if their are ANY other options available before this one.
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Serving as the core strike force of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the AH-64 series of attack helicopters have consistently undertaken critical missions such as close air support, armed reconnaissance, and force protection since their initial entry into service in 1998. In response to the complex challenges of the modern battlefield, the Netherlands has initiated a comprehensive upgrade program from the AH-64D to the AH-64E (Version 6), aiming to extend the equipment’s service life and enhance its combat effectiveness through technological innovation, ensuring it maintains leading-edge operational capabilities until at least 2050. This analysis will provide a comprehensive overview of the overall capabilities of the Dutch AH-64E attack helicopter from the dimensions of upgrade background, performance parameters, key upgrade highlights, deployment, and mission role.
I. Upgrade Background and Fleet Size
The Royal Netherlands Air Force first received the AH-64D “Apache Longbow” attack helicopter in 1998, with an initial fleet size of 30 aircraft. However, during long-term service, the fleet was reduced to 28 aircraft after one was lost in Afghanistan in 2004 (tail number Q-20) and another during the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali in 2015 (tail number Q-15). With the evolution of modern warfare, the original AH-64D’s avionics, powerplant performance, and weapons compatibility gradually became insufficient to meet the demands of high-intensity combat, making an upgrade imperative.
In September 2018, the Dutch Ministry of Defence formally contracted with Boeing to initiate the AH-64D fleet upgrade project, planning to upgrade all 28 helicopters to the AH-64E (Version 6) standard through the U.S. Army’s “Remanufacture Program.” This version is the latest model in the AH-64 series, integrating numerous cutting-edge technologies aimed at significantly enhancing battlefield survivability, situational awareness, and precision strike capability. The first upgraded AH-64E was officially delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force in October 2022. The entire upgrade program is expected to be fully completed in 2025, with the upgraded fleet intended to remain in service until 2050, serving as the core pillar of the Netherlands’ aerial strike power for decades to come.
II. Core Performance Parameters
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Dimensions and Weight
The AH-64E has an overall length of 15.47 meters,a width of 5.79 meters, and a height of 3.92 meters. The main rotor diameter is 14.63 meters, and the tail rotor diameter is 2.79 meters. Its overall dimensions are largely consistent with the previous AH-64D, facilitating the continued use of existing support facilities. Its empty weight is 5.662 metric tons, with a maximum tactical weight of 9.19 metric tons (fully loaded with armament and fuel) and an absolute maximum weight of 10.433 metric tons. Its payload capacity has improved compared to the AH-64D, providing room for carrying more advanced equipment and munitions. -
Powerplant
The powerplant is a key highlight of this upgrade.The AH-64E is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, each delivering 1,716 shaft horsepower (SHP) continuous power, with maximum emergency power reaching up to 2,000 SHP. Compared to the T700-GE-701C engines used on the AH-64D, power output is significantly enhanced. Coupled with an optimized transmission system and composite main rotor (4-blade main rotor, 4-blade tail rotor), this not only improves the helicopter’s maneuverability and flight stability but also extends rotor life and reduces maintenance costs. The main rotor operates at 292 RPM and the tail rotor at 1,417 RPM, ensuring control precision at low speeds and responsive power for high-speed maneuvers. -
Flight Performance
Supported by the enhanced powerplant,the AH-64E’s flight performance is comprehensively improved. It has a cruise speed of 222 km/h and a maximum speed of 366 km/h, representing an approximately 10% increase over the AH-64D. Its standard mission radius is 460-485 km, with an endurance of about 2.5 hours. With four external auxiliary fuel tanks attached (requiring removal of some armament to balance the load), the radius can be extended by an additional 330 km, providing greater operational reach. The aircraft can operate in extreme temperature environments ranging from -40°C to +54°C and is adaptable to various complex terrains including desert, high-altitude, and maritime environments, meeting the diverse requirements of the Royal Netherlands Air Force for both domestic deployments and international peacekeeping missions.
III. Key Upgrade Highlights and Operational Capabilities
- Avionics and Situational Awareness System Upgrades
The AH-64E features a new-generation avionics architecture,equipped with large-area touchscreen displays and a bi-ocular color Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), replacing the AH-64D’s traditional instruments and monochrome displays, significantly improving pilot operational efficiency. New functions like “Haptic Cueing,” which alerts pilots to potential threats via helmet vibration or seat feedback, and “Advanced Flight Mode,” which can automatically maintain flight attitude, reduce pilot workload during complex missions.
Regarding sensing capabilities, the AH-64E integrates an upgraded AN/APG-78 “Longbow” millimeter-wave fire control radar and electro-optical sensors, offering longer detection ranges and higher identification accuracy. It can track multiple targets simultaneously and prioritize locking onto high-threat targets. Data from the radar and electro-optical systems can be transmitted in real-time to the cockpit displays and, combined with the battlefield data link, shared with friendly ground forces, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and other combat platforms. This greatly enhances joint operational capability and comprehensive situational awareness.
- Weapons System and Compatibility Optimization
The AH-64E employs an open systems architecture supporting the seamless integration of"Launched Effects, Long-Range Precision Munitions, and Directed Energy Weapons," offering significantly improved weapons compatibility over its predecessor. It retains the classic armament configuration foundation of the AH-64D, capable of carrying AGM-114 “Hellfire” anti-tank missiles (maximum range 8 km, capable of precision strikes against armored targets), AIM-92 “Stinger” air-to-air missiles (for engaging enemy helicopters and low-flying aircraft), a 30mm M230 Chain Gun (1,200 rounds, for suppressive fire against personnel and light vehicles), and various calibers of rocket pods.
The upgraded weapons system possesses a “Fire-and-Forget” capability, allowing pilots to engage a target and then maneuver away, reducing exposure to enemy air defenses. Furthermore, the aircraft can flexibly adjust its weapon load according to mission requirements, capable of executing high-intensity missions like anti-tank/anti-armor operations as well as lower-intensity tasks such as close air support and area security, demonstrating strong operational adaptability.
The French tech tree can utilize a variety of fixed-wing aircraft to strike ground targets, but Germany’s tech tree has relatively weaker fixed-wing ground attack capabilities. Furthermore, Germany and the Netherlands also engage in numerous defense collaborations."
“In fact, the Polish AH-64 could have been added to the German tech tree, but the Polish aircraft have not been delivered yet. Considering that the German tech tree currently severely lacks ground attack capabilities, and for the sake of game balance, priority should be given to introducing it into the German tech tree.”
I support this thread !
Where is this statement from?
Benelux is already a part of France in WT.
The Dev’s have previously stated that theire looking into adding the option to equip 2x 2 pars lr launchers for the tiger. But we havent heard anything about that since.
How does that change the fact that Benelux is in the French TT.
Also, the obvious should be mentioned.
The Dutch AH-64E is already in game in the French Tree.
Where does this quote come from?
Exact same question I had, and also there could have been this possibly:
Yeah but that has no relevance to Gaijin lol. Poland got the Firefly, does a Polish firefly go to Germany? Or the Polish P-47M?
I’m not saying Germany can’t have it. It’s just, currently, a made up quote that doesn’t exist and is a poor if not poorer than poor argument lol
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Germany literally cant have it, because Poland is not a german subtree and probably never will be. The Leopard 2 PL is only there, because its a Leopard. The reality is simply that Germany wont get a significantly better Heli, theyll get the H145M and hopefully a BR correction on the Tiger but thats about it.
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I was more suggesting that I’m not going to kill the idea of Germany having it because at this point the AH-64E is in so many trees that I do not care anymore. It has nothing to do with whether or not Germany will actually get it.
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