The U.S. Army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade welcomed a significant upgrade to its fleet on September 1, 2023, with the arrival of two state-of-the-art AH-64E Version 6 Apache Guardians at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Clay Kaserne, Germany. This marks the beginning of a series of enhancements and modernizations for the brigade, with a total of 24 of these cutting-edge helicopters scheduled for delivery.
The AH-64E V6 Apache Guardians were transported to their new home on a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. In an impressive logistical maneuver, two of the unit’s older AH-64 Delta models were loaded onto the same transport, destined for another U.S. Army combat aviation brigade. The AH-64E V6 boasts numerous upgrades, particularly in its sensors, software, and weapons systems, making it a formidable asset within the multi-domain operational ecosystem.
“This new aircraft gives us so many more capabilities. There are upgrades on so many different aspects of the aircraft, which will better aid our abilities to support our Allies here in the European Theater,” explained U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brigit Duffy, a maintenance platoon leader with 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Battalion), 12th CAB.
One of the standout features of the AH-64E V6 is its adaptability and compatibility with a range of systems. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Weisskopf, the brigade standardization officer with 12th CAB, pointed out, “This aircraft will allow the use of the AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground missile and future integration of the Spike NLOS [a multi-purpose, electro-optical/infrared missile system]. It also has a full instrument suite allowing IFR [flying in clouds], allowing us to deploy in bad weather.”
This upgrade represents a significant part of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade’s ongoing modernization efforts, which include training and the introduction of new equipment. Boeing’s AH-64E V6 is designed to excel in battle, capable of neutralizing armor, personnel, and material targets even in obscured battlefield conditions. It comes equipped with air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch Hydra rockets, and an M230 30mm chain gun that can fire at a rate of 625 rounds per minute, with a range of 4.2 kilometers.
Prior to the arrival of these V6 Apaches, select pilots from the 12th CAB underwent initial training at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Meanwhile, maintenance personnel are scheduled to undergo training in Germany, starting in October, with an expected completion date in January 2024. The USAACE will send its New Equipment Training Team to train both pilots and maintainers over the course of the next seven months.
As the U.S. Army continues to evolve and invest in next-generation technologies, the Apache AH-64E brings an affordable Modular Open Systems Architecture capability, positioning itself as a centerpiece in the Multi-Domain Operations battlefield for decades to come. This addition to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade enhances their ability to support their allies and contribute to the security and defense of the European Theater.
