The U.S. Army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade welcomed a significant addition to its arsenal on September 1, 2023, with the arrival of two new Apache helicopters at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Clay Kaserne, Germany. These Apache helicopters, officially designated as AH-64E Version 6 Apache Guardians, mark the beginning of a planned delivery of 24 such aircraft to the unit. They were transported to their new home via a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft, replacing two existing AH-64 Delta models that were bound for another U.S. Army combat aviation brigade.
The AH-64E V6 Apache Guardian represents a significant leap in capability, thanks to multiple enhancements to its sensors, software, and weapon systems. Designed for seamless interoperability within the multi-domain operational ecosystem, the AH-64E V6 is a formidable and adaptable system, providing ground forces with increased reach, maneuverability, and overall performance.
According to U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brigit Duffy, a maintenance platoon leader with 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Battalion), 12th CAB, “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.”
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Weisskopf, the brigade standardization officer with 12th CAB, also emphasized the new helicopter’s capabilities: “This aircraft will allow us to use 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.”
The AH-64E Apache Guardian’s upgrade is part of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade’s ongoing modernization efforts, training initiatives, and equipment fielding. By delivering and integrating advanced capabilities through a combination of onboard and offboard sensors, stand-off long-range weapons, and essential connectivity, Boeing’s AH-64E V6 stands out as a fully integrated, battle-optimized attack helicopter. It is capable of neutralizing armored vehicles, personnel, and materiel targets in obscured battlefield conditions, thanks to its arsenal, which includes air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch Hydra rockets, and an M230 30mm chain machine gun.
Before the arrival of the AH-64E V6s, several pilots from the 12th CAB were sent to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence in Fort Rucker, Alabama, for initial training. Maintainers are scheduled to undergo training in Germany starting in October, with an estimated completion date of January 2024. The USAACE will deploy its New Equipment Training Team to provide training for both pilots and maintainers over the course of the next seven months.
As the U.S. Army continues to shape its vision for the Army of 2030 and invests in next-generation technologies, the Apache AH-64E brings affordable Modular Open Systems Architecture capability to serve as a centerpiece in the Multi-Domain Operations battlefield for decades to come. This addition represents a significant advancement in the Army’s ability to support its missions and allies, particularly in the European Theater.
