topol-m

You're right, but the FVL helicopters are expected to have significantly longer range and combat radius. The FATE engine program is to provide that fuel efficiency, I remember reading somewhere that the V-280 would have twice the range of the UH-60 for instance, which is quite an upgrade. We can assume similar figures for the attack FVL version. Those numbers, even if it is too early to take them as granted, are close to and even exceeding those of say an F-16 both in the combat radius and range category.

Good point. Thanks again for the insight and for your time, I'll ask more questions if anything else comes to mind. The Apache is an amazing machine, one can always learn more about it :) I'm also trying to read most of the stuff they release as news on the Future Vertical Lift program. The JMR-Medium would face a lot of challenges in order for it to become a decent Apache replacement. I hope this program won't get canceled like many others and will bring some interesting innovations and new capabilities.

It surely does, thanks for the info. If you're able to identify targets at such distance (pretty impressive btw) with the abrams no doubt the apache would top that. Also am I right to assume that given the higher magnification the TV imaging has it would be possible to identify targets at much longer distances daytime compared to using FLIR night time?

@Nightmare515 Thanks, appreciate it! It's awesome to have a real apache pilot posting on these forums!

In that video at 12:55 the apache fires several bursts with its M230, where the hell did all the bullets go?! It was like it fired blank ammo. You see the guy just standing there and firing back with the ak-47.

Seeing how there are people in here who know the apache in details, I'll take the opportunity and ask some questions: So I've found this data about the TADS: TV (127x mag), Thermal Imaging (36x mag), Direct view optics (18x mag). Does the MTADS have an improved magnification level? These are just numbers but how would they translate in a real life situation? Say we have near perfect conditions (flat surface, no camo used, no fog, etc.) 1. At what distance can you spot a tank-sized vehicle? 2. At what distance can you tell it's an abrams and not a challenger II for instance?

I didn't expect it to be that bad, you put bulletproof glass on a damned car and then you leave the pilots of an attack helicopter with no protection... except from the wind... I found this, which shows the cockpit armor, all in all it looks much more vulnerable than I thought it was: http://apachehelicopter.tpub.com/TM-1-1520-238-10/css/TM-1-1520-238-10_054.htm

Ah-1Z cockpit: btw I've always wondered what kind of protection does the cockpit glass of the apache and the cobra provide? Anyone has any info on that?

lolled :laugh:

Nope, the Japanese technology demonstrator ATD-X has nothing to do with this aircraft.

very interesting, thanks for posting

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=101948&highlight=cuda

A new photo from the wiki article on DDG-1000.

Type 92 mine clearing vehicle:

rofl :laugh:

Excalibur new environmental tests:

X-47 new footage:

Hellfire ground fire: US/Japanese joint exercise:

very interesting, thanks for sharing