Taiwan to Get AH-64D Block III Apache Gunship Helicopters

First AH-64D Apache Block III Attack Helicopters Delivered

United States government will provide 30 Boeing AH-64 Block III Apache gunship helicopters to the Taiwan (Republic of China Army) under program Sky Eagle. This makes Taiwan the first international customer for the AH-64 Block III Apache gunship.

This announcement will show the reemergence of the military support by the United States government to Taiwan. Taiwan's AH-64 Block III Apache gunship helicopters will enter production in October this year.

Taiwan is expected to receive its 1st AH-64D Block III Longbow Apache in the first quarter of 2014.

AH-64D Block III Longbow Apache upgrade includes a composite tail boom and composite rotors with a 10,000 hour lifetime, T700-GE-701D engines, Joint Tactical Radio System, "Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Datalink Assembly (UTA)" improved Longbow radar with twice the range, and an "intelligent" mission processor system.

Specifications
Length------------------------------------------17.73 meters
Empty Weight-------------------------------5165kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight-------------10433kg
Cruising Speed------------------------------265km/h
Combat Radius------------------------------480km
Endurance: Over 3 hours on internal fuel

Weapons:

Gun: 1× 30mm Boeing M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds

Rate of fire: 625 rounds a minute

Rockets: Hydra unguided 70mm rockets and APKWS (advanced precision kill weapon system)

Missiles: Up to 16 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles. AIM-92 Stinger and AIM-9 Sidewinder can also be carried.