Editing Boeing AH-64 Apache (section)

===AH-64E===
[[File:AH-64E Apache-Guardian-0006.jpg|thumb|AH-64E Apache Guardian]]

Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in 2012, it was redesignated as ''AH-64E Guardian''.<ref>Bledsoe, Sophia. [https://www.army.mil/article/94163/Team_Apache_announces_nickname_for_the_Apache_Echo_Model "Team Apache announces nickname for the Apache Echo Model"]. U.S. Army, 14 January 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=952 "Army Renames Apache Block III Helicopters."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109012316/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=952 |date=9 November 2013}} ''National Defense Magazine''.</ref> It has improved digital connectivity, the [[Joint Tactical Information Distribution System]], more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded [[face gear]] transmission to handle more power,<ref>"[http://helihub.com/2013/10/28/interlocking-gears-used-in-clocks-give-army-helicopters-more-power/ Interlocking gears used in clocks give Army helicopters more power] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220134816/http://helihub.com/2013/10/28/interlocking-gears-used-in-clocks-give-army-helicopters-more-power/ |date=20 February 2014}}", HeliHub, 28 October 2013. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140220134816/http://helihub.com/2013/10/28/interlocking-gears-used-in-clocks-give-army-helicopters-more-power/ Archived] on 20 February 2014.</ref> capability to control [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs), full [[Instrument flight rules|IFR]] capability, and improved landing gear.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2011-11-02-Boeing-US-Army-Mark-Delivery-of-1st-AH-64D-Apache-Block-III-Combat-Helicopter |title=Boeing, US Army Mark Delivery of 1st AH-64D Apache Block III Combat Helicopter |website=MediaRoom |access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/35056/technology_gives_apache_block_iii_more_lift_capability_landing_ability |title=Technology gives Apache block III more lift, capability, landing ability |website=www.army.mil |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref> New composite rotor blades, which completed testing in 2004, increase cruise speed, climb rate, and payload capacity.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/news/2004/q2/nr_040510m.html "Boeing-Developed Composite Rotor Blade Spins Forward"]. Boeing, 10 May 2004. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629082357/http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/news/2004/q2/nr_040510m.html |date=29 June 2011}}</ref> Deliveries began in November 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/from-albania-to-afghanistan-us-army-integrates-lessons-into-latest-apache-364245/ |title=From Albania to Afghanistan, US Army integrates lessons into latest Apache |first=Stephen |last=Trimble |date=3 November 2011 |website=FlightGlobal}}</ref> Full-rate production was approved on 24 October 2012.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The total Army Acquisition Objective for both new build and remanufactured AH-64Es is 812.<ref name="Volume 1">{{Cite web |date=March 2024 |title=Justification Book Volume 1 of 1 Aircraft Procurement, Army |url=https://www.asafm.army.mil/Portals/72/Documents/BudgetMaterial/2025/Base%20Budget/Procurement/Aircraft-Procurement-Army.pdf }}</ref>

Changes in production lots 4 through 6 include a cognitive decision aiding system and new self-diagnostic abilities. The updated Longbow radar has an oversea capacity, potentially enabling naval strikes; an [[AESA radar]] is under consideration.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-fields-first-ah-64e-unit-but-more-improvements-to-come-380875/ |title=US Army fields first AH-64E unit, but more improvements to come |first=Dave |last=Majumdar |date=9 January 2013 |website=FlightGlobal}}</ref> It will have a [[L-3 Communications]] MUMT-X datalink in place of two older counterparts, communicating on C, D, L, and Ku frequency bands to transmit and receive data and video with all Army UAVs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-replaces-lockheed-data-link-on-ah-64-apache-417707/ |title=US Army replaces Lockheed data link on AH-64 Apache |first=Stephen |last=Trimble |date=14 October 2015 |website=FlightGlobal}}</ref> Lots 5 and 6 will have [[Link 16]] [[data link]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2016/january/2348-viasat-to-produce-link-16-terminals-for-ah-64e-apache-guardian-helicopter-lots-5-and-6.html |title=ViaSat to produce Link 16 terminals for AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter Lots 5 and 6 |website=airrecognition.com |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927215213/https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2016/january/2348-viasat-to-produce-link-16-terminals-for-ah-64e-apache-guardian-helicopter-lots-5-and-6.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The AH-64E is to be fit for maritime use.<ref name=drwSea>{{cite web |last=Drwiega |first=Andrew |url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/topstories/U-S-Armys-Apache-Maritime-Role_83418.html |title=U.S. Army's Apache Maritime Role |work=[[Aviation Today]] |date=10 November 2014 |access-date=16 November 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129022537/http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/topstories/U-S-Armys-Apache-Maritime-Role_83418.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The U.S. Army expressed interest in extended-range fuel tanks for greater endurance.<ref name="armytimes1feb15"/> {{As of|2020|4}}, 500 AH-64Es have been delivered.<ref name="Verdict">{{cite web |author=Verdict Media |date=17 April 2020 |title=US Army takes delivery of 500th Boeing AH-64E Apache Helicopter |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/us-army-takes-delivery-of-500th-boeing-ah-64e-apache-helicopter/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418123320/https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/us-army-takes-delivery-of-500th-boeing-ah-64e-apache-helicopter/ |archive-date=18 April 2020 |access-date=18 April 2020 |work=airforce-technology.com}}</ref>

Work on a further upgraded AH-64E, version 6.5 was initiated by the U.S. Army in 2021, and first flew in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Judson |first=Jen |date=2023-10-11 |title=Boeing flies upgraded AH-64E Apache for first time |url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/10/11/boeing-flies-upgraded-ah-64e-apache-for-first-time/ |website=Defense News |language=en}}</ref> The AH-64E is reported to have had problems with its electrical generation systems causing increased scrutiny.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saballa |first=Joe |date=2024-03-27 |title=US Army Suffers Third Apache Helicopter Crash in Two Months |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/03/27/us-army-apache-crash/ |website=The Defense Post |language=en-us}}</ref>