Apache Helicopters vs. Taliban: USA 20, Taliban 0

Here at SEALGrinderPT, we show a lot of love for the A-10 Thunderbolt II (affectionately known as the “Warthog”) and its overall awesomeness, especially in its engagement with the Taliban and ISIS. But there’s another “air warrior” who shares an equal level of intimidation in the sky: The Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter, flown by the US Army–as well as the Israeli, Egyptian and Royal Netherlands Air Forces.

The Apache is armed with a 30 mm (1.18 in; the same caliber as fired by the A-10) M230 chain gun carried between the main landing gear under the aircraft’s forward fuselage, and four hardpoints (a location on an air frame designed to carry an external or internal load) mounted on stub-wing pylons for carrying armament and stores.

Generally, the Apache caries a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Hydra 70 rocket pods. Like the US Air Force’s A-10, the AH-64 has a large amount of systems redundancy to improve combat survivability, as well as a tough hull.

The Apache is also able to evade heat-seeking missiles by reducing its infrared signature (the heat energy it releases). It does this its Black Hole infrared suppression system, which dissipates the engine’s hot exhaust by mixing it with air flowing around the helicopter. To cool the exhaust further, it’s passed through a filter which then absorbs more of the heat.

Additionally, The Apache Longbow also has an infrared jammer, which emits signals of various frequencies to confuse heat-seeking missiles.

Watch the video below to see footage from two US Army Apaches as they zero in on 20 Taliban members preparing to ambush American troops.