MLU AH-64's

[silvester herc]

[Sparkplug]

301 Squadron receives first Apache Guardian

Published: 14 March 2024    Last Updated: 14 March 2024


Credit photo: Maurice Hendriks

On 14 March 2024, the first Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) AH-64E Apache Guardian was delivered to 301 Squadron Per Sapientam Efficiens et Immortalis at Gilze-Rijen air base.

The attack helicopter, bearing serial number Q-37 (c/n NL007), initially visited the low-flying area (Gebied Laag Vliegen) GLV-V at the Oirschotse Heide before landing at its new home base.

The Apache Guardian was delivered on 7 December 2023, to the Logistics Center Woensdrecht (LCW) as airfreight by a USAF C-17A Globemaster II. At the LCW, the new helicopters are assembled and undergo necessary maintenance. Following a process of system implementations and checks, a certificate of airworthiness is issued.

The Netherlands ordered a total of 28 AH-64E Apache Guardian version v6 attack helicopters to replace the AH-64DN Apache helicopters. The first six, with serials Q-31 to Q-36, were delivered to 302 Squadron at Robert Grey Army Airfield / Fort Cavazos (TX).

The final delivery of the new helicopters is scheduled for 2025.

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/301-squadron-receives-first-apache-guardian

[Harald]

Dit is de vernieuwde Apache van de luchtmacht

https://www.nu.nl/306954/video/dit-is-de-vernieuwde-apache-van-de-luchtmacht.html (via @NUnl)

[Umbert]

Nu ook in NL

https://twitter.com/Kon_Luchtmacht

[Sparkplug]

301 Squadron says goodbye to AH-64DN

PUBLISHED: 12 JANUARY 2024   LAST UPDATED: 13 JANUARY 2024

On Thursday 11 January 2024, the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) made the final demonstration flight with the AH-64DN Apache at Gilze-Rijen air base.

After almost 25 years of operations, 301 Squadron Per Sapientam Efficiens et Immortalis, said goodbye to the Apache D attack helicopter. AH-64DN Q-26, flying with call sign HAWK01, made some low passes and demonstrated the flare system.

On Monday 15 January, a three-ship formation will make the final flight of the type.

In the coming months the final AH-64DN Apaches will be dismantled and shipped to the US where parts of the helicopter are used in the new AH-64E models.

The KLu operated a fleet of 30 Apache D models. The first helicopters arrived at Gilze-Rijen in July 1999. Two AH-64DNs were lost on 29 August 2004 (Q-20) respectively 17 March 2015 (Q-15), and eight were used with the Netherlands Apache Training Detachement (NATD) at Fort Hood (TX) which was renamed as Fort Cavazos on 9 May 2023.

The KLu has ordered 28 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters. Eight will be used with 302 Squadron at Robert Gray AAF/Fort Cavazos (TX) and twenty with 301 Squadron at Gilze-Rijen. The first Apache Guardians have already been delivered to 302 Squadron and also the first two have arrived in the Netherlands. For detailed information on the whereabouts of the Apaches have a look at the Scramble database and search for AH-64.

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/301-squadron-says-goodbye-to-ah-64dn

[Sparkplug]

First Apache Guardians to the Netherlands

Published: 07 December 2023 Last Updated: 07 December 2023


Credit photo: Koninklijke Luchtmacht

On 7 December 2023, the first two Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters were delivered as airfreight to Woensdrecht air base by a USAF C-17A Globemaster II.

The new attack helicopters, serial numbers Q-37 (c/n NL007) and Q-38 (c/n NL008), have been off-loaded and will first go to the Logistics Center Woensdrecht (LCW) before being delivered to 301 Squadron at Gilze-Rijen air base. It is not yet known when the Apache Guardians will continue their journey, but this is believed to be somewhere in Q1-2024.

Currently a major renovation takes place at Gilze-Rijen where the simulator building will receive the new Apache Echo simulator. The simulator will be ready for use in mid-January 2024.

Scramble Magazine is looking forward to photos of these two helicopters. Please let us know at social@scramble.nl

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/first-apache-guardians-to-the-netherlands

[Harald]

https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/12/07/vernieuwde-apaches-per-c-17-terug-op-nederlandse-bodem

Vernieuwde Apaches per C-17 terug op Nederlandse bodem

[Sparkplug]

Worden omstreeks 12:00 uur op vlb. Woensdrecht verwacht.

https://www.scramble.nl/community/messageboard/69/173228

Op vlb. Woensdrecht is een USAF C-17 (00-0171/AK) geland met aan boord de AH-64E v6.

https://www.scramble.nl/community/messageboard/69/173228

[Sparkplug]

Schijnbaar komen vandaag de eerste E-tjes aan in NL   

Worden omstreeks 12:00 uur op vlb. Woensdrecht verwacht.

https://www.scramble.nl/community/messageboard/69/173228

[Umbert]

Zag ze eergisteren boven de A2 tussen denbosch en utrecht hangen.  Dacht dat dat de nieuwe waren, maar zijn dus de oude.

Zelfde fout afgelopen zomer gemaakt, zag een 2-tal e-tjes, of longbow vliegen thv a67/Helden bleken dus uiteindelijk Britse te zijn geweest. Ga je krijgen als je al KLU ze al wel hebt maar nog niet in eigen land zie post#325

[Huzaar1]

Zag ze eergisteren boven de A2 tussen denbosch en utrecht hangen.  Dacht dat dat de nieuwe waren, maar zijn dus de oude.

[Umbert]

Schijnbaar komen vandaag de eerste E-tjes aan in NL   

[StrataNL]

En dan zijn ze in de VS bezig met de AH-64E Version 6.5.

https://www.army.mil/article/268334/apache_helicopter_on_track_for_major_upgrades

Hopelijk sluiten de Britse en Nederlandse AH-64E hierop aan en bijven ze gelijk aan die van de U.S. Army.

Staat op het verlanglijstje.

[Sparkplug]

volgende toekomstige upgrade voor onze Apache's 

This Is What The AH-64 Apache's New Extended Rotor Mast Does

The MUMT-X system is a massive upgrade that unlocks the Apache's ability to hunt and kill targets over vast areas.



.../...

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/this-is-what-the-ah-64-apaches-new-extended-rotor-mast-does

En dan zijn ze in de VS bezig met de AH-64E Version 6.5.

https://www.army.mil/article/268334/apache_helicopter_on_track_for_major_upgrades

Hopelijk sluiten de Britse en Nederlandse AH-64E hierop aan en bijven ze gelijk aan die van de U.S. Army.

[Harald]

volgende toekomstige upgrade voor onze Apache's 

This Is What The AH-64 Apache's New Extended Rotor Mast Does

The MUMT-X system is a massive upgrade that unlocks the Apache's ability to hunt and kill targets over vast areas.



The top of the Apache's rotor mast has changed dramatically over the years. At first, it was just that, a hub for the helicopter's rotors, but over time, it became a key spot to install sensor and communications systems. The AH-64D Longbow famously included the AN/APG-78 mast-mounted radar, drastically changing the helicopter's profile. Later on, the area became used as a place for a line-of-sight communications array. Now, the latest example of this practice consists of an all-new and very distinct apparatus that will allow the Apache Guardian to control unmanned aircraft and share data like never before.

A significant number of the U.S. Army's AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters are now flying with L3Harris' Manned-Unmanned Teaming-Extended (MUMT-X). The new rotor mast extension and other hardware allow Apache pilots to take direct control of the sensors and flight paths of multiple RQ-7B Shadow V2 and MQ-1C Gray Eagle uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), as well as the latter's weapons. In other words, Apache crews will be able to spot, evaluate, and kill targets from dozens of miles away, and do so even by controlling multiple drones at once. The system also facilitates the transfer of high-bandwidth live video feeds, and other forms of data, from said drones and Apaches to other nodes elsewhere, supporting multiple data connections simultaneously.

.../...

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/this-is-what-the-ah-64-apaches-new-extended-rotor-mast-does