We have had a visit at work from...

[Nick]

I love the sensor array they have atop the rotors - they can target enemies without having to go above the tree-line.

I certainly wouldn't argue with an apache.

That's a Longbow variant iirc... and just like Steve says, it can hover below line of sight, pop that sensor above what it's hiding behind and scan the battlefield... And with the latest Hellfires, they can even fire them from concealment as the missile streaks up, acquires the target and then goes down for the kill...

Oh, and as a geeky aside, the Longbow is the first helicopter to have networking ability to other Longbows, passing target data to other choppers that don't have a target acquired and guiding their missiles in...

Oh yes, I do like 'em.

[Salazaar]

The M230 (swivelly cannon thing on the bottom) is farking scary, seen one live firing on Salisbury Plain

Especially when you consider that it aims where the gunner looks!

[99Flake]

Especially when you consider that it aims where the gunner looks!

According to the pilot they don't constantly have it connected to the helmet, often it is 'slaved' as he put it, to the sensor array on the nose, which in turn is connected to the Longbow radar and the laser guidance on the front. That way they all talk to each other and the helicopter can basically look after itself.

Found out some very interesting stuff about it whilst they were here and then they gave as a mini airshow as they left (right posers they were as well).

[MaddAussie]

Apaches on Salisbury Plain


I know the government banned hunting with dog so they went for bigger prey... I think they are going to loose!

[M0nkeyb0Y]

Gosh darn it - I live in "The Ton", but at work in The City at the mo...

[Funkstar]

Sweet!

A little more interesting than the choppers I'm used to



or

[Flibb]

Seems to be a few of us around Tbridge, Masterflash is local as well.

[danroyle]

a new fitness program at the school make kids run around while you shoot at them with the minigun,

[samcross]

I want one

Edit:
Coolest photo eva!!!111!!


(Its not actually flying upside down but its still cool!)

[JK Ferret]

I've been inside an Apache

I still remember what a few other heli-mad (male) people have said:

'If that was the daddy, I'd gladly be the mummy'

They simply ooze pure ownage

[Funkstar]

I sent this thread to a friend on MSN, he replied with:

Kev says: marines strapped themselves to the 'wings' of the apache to recover the body of a fallen comrade in afghan
Kev says: theyw ere asked for volunteers to rescue a corporal
Kev says: everyone stood forward
Kev says: the apache landed and another played top cover to ensure insurgents didnt cause a problem

Now that's loyalty!

Some links:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...fghanistan.htm
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Pi...acheRescue.htm (pictures)
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...ationvideo.htm (video)

thanks Kev (aka Icey93)

[Powderhound]

A lynx landed at my school a couple of years ago. I came sprinting out of a jazz band rehearsal and came gasping onto the field just as they shut down the engines, then missed the takeoff because I was halfway through an English mock exam.

[icey93]

i am Kev in funstars post

we regularly get helicopters training at the site i work at. They also do a lot of pre-op training....

the chinooks practising the evasive stuff is amazing to watch

[Funkstar]

The images icey93 couldn't post




Chinooks are awesome!

[Clunk]

A little more interesting than the choppers I'm used to

[Funkstar]

*giggle*



Somewhere to park a big chopper?