AH-64E Apache: Australian Army pilots gain experience on attack helicopters

Five Australian Army pilots are mastering the intricacies of the fearsome new Apache attack helicopters ahead of their arrival in Townsville in a little over 12 months.

An Australian Army pilot operates a United States Army AH-64E Apache while on exchange with the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade in Washington in March. The Australian Defence Force is a acquiring a fleet of 29 of the attack helicopters to be based in Townsville from 2025. The Australian Government is investing nearly $700 million in Townsville as part of the strategic deployment. Picture: SSG Cayce Watson

Five Australian Army pilots are mastering the intricacies of the fearsome new Apache attack helicopters ahead of their arrival in Townsville in a little over 12 months.

The former ARH Tiger pilots from the 1st Aviation Regiment are embedded with the United States Army to gain experience on the AH-64E Apache, having completed their type-conversion course at the US Army Aviation Centre of Excellence in Fort Novosel, Alabama, last year.

One of the pilots, with nearly 1000 hours’ experience in the Tiger, said he knew flying an Apache would be completely different as soon as he saw it.

He said that while the Tiger was lighter, nimble in the air and more forgiving to fly, the Apache was packed with armour, sensors and had enough power to carry 16 hellfire missiles.

“Apache has a max all-up weight of about 10 tonnes, so you need to be a little bit more accurate with your flying,” he said.

Australian Army pilot, Captain A, in a United States Army AH-64E Apache while on exchange with the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade in Washington in March. Picture: SSG Cayce Watson

“There’s more armaments and armour on board, so there’s more momentum that you’re dealing with.”

The new AH-64E Apache helicopters, the most advanced model, will be based in Townsville from 2025.

Defence has previously declared that 150 Townsville jobs will come with a $306m Boeing Defence Australia, Apache helicopter maintenance, training and logistics contract as the new helicopters are deployed to the north.

The Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment is moving from Darwin to Townsville, making North Queensland the hub for Apaches from 2025 as the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters are phased out.

Australian Army pilot, Captain A, in a United States Army AH-64E Apache while on exchange with the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade in Washington in March. Picture: SSG Cayce Watson

Following their initial training, the pilots have been posted throughout the US Army’s combat aviation organisation – from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) in Hawaii to the 101st Airborne Division in Kentucky.

The pilots, who are due home late next year when the first of Australia’s 29 Apaches are scheduled to arrive, were confident Australia could maximise the Apache’s performance for the local environment.

“The new Apache brings the ability to see and detect more, share that information more rapidly and apply more weaponry: It’s a fantastic machine,” the pilot said.

Originally published as AH-64E Apache: Australian Army pilots gain experience on attack helicopters