What you need to know: The US military plans to extend the life of its AH-64 Apache attack helicopters into the 2070s by implementing significant upgrades. Originally designed for Cold War scenarios, the Apache has proven versatile in conflicts ranging from the Gulf War to Afghanistan.

-With the cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), the role of the Apache has become more vital and older models will now receive modernized systems. Working alongside the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), the upgraded Apache will enhance the Army’s capabilities.

-The move highlights the Pentagon’s shift toward upgrading proven platforms rather than developing new, more expensive systems.

Army changes plans for AH-64 Apache

THE US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters are probably the best helicopters in the world. And, due to changes made by the Pentagon in response to tighter budgets and the demands of the war in Ukraine, it appears that the Apache will be so updated that it can continue to serve the U.S. military well into the 2070s.

Essentially, the Army is creating its own version of the Air Force system. B-52 Stratofortressin that, like the B-52, the Apache will serve for several decades longer than its designers originally anticipated.

This just shows that the Pentagon can actually do more with less. Of course, in this case, they are forced to do more with less after spending huge amounts of hard-earned money and failing. You see, like Thomas Newdick at The war zone, has reported The “modernized Apache has been scaled down somewhat from what it once looked like.”

In fact, Boeing, the company responsible for the AH-64 Apache, anticipates that these upgraded Apaches will work in tandem with the The Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).

Fundamental Changes Force Army to Stick to the Apaches

It is interesting to note that the army plans Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) was expected to replace at least 91 older Apache AH-64 Delta variant helicopters. But that plan was scrapped earlier this year after the Pentagon canceled FARA. So, these 91 Deltas must now be modernized. By removing the FARA platform, as Newdick assessed in his recent article, it makes the Apache “an even more critical asset to the Army and refocuses efforts to keep it effective and relevant for another four decades or so.” more “.

Apache has proven itself time and time again since its first deployment decades ago. Designed to combat a possible Red Army invasion of Europe during the heady days of the Cold War, it quickly demonstrated its effectiveness in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terror ( GWoT) led by the United States. Yet its original mission was to fight – and win – a great-power war, particularly over the bloody plains of Europe. With the war in Ukraine still raging and the Apache remaining a very popular war machine, the military and Boeing could get back into shape with the Apache attack helicopter.

Regardless of what the Pentagon might intend to do in terms of creating newer helicopters, at the moment it chose to cancel its much-vaunted project Comanche Ten years ago, they forced themselves to remain loyal to the Apache. Today, the army is becoming smart. Rather than reinventing the wheel with a whole new system. They simply augment the existing platform by upgrading Apache systems and merging it with newer platforms, like FLRAA, to increase its lethality.

Apache Helicopter: a very attractive platform

Now combine that with the perceived threat to Europeans from Russia and the United States with critical exports in the defense arms sector. The Apache is an amazing bird that will continue to serve this country – and those of America’s allies – for decades to come. This still strikes fear and loathing in the hearts and minds of America’s adversaries and gives the forces that deploy these systems significant advantages over America’s great power rivals, such as Russia and China.

The Pentagon should learn more from this experience and seek to extend the life cycles of many of its most expensive platforms rather than replacing them with even more expensive systems that will take years to build and will probably rarely live up to expectations.

About the author

Brandon J. Weicherta national security project of national interest analystis a former congressman and geopolitical analyst who contributes to The Washington Times, Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is available for purchase wherever books are sold. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

Image credit: Creative Commons.