Pics of brother working... Apache Longbow pics

[echoone]

Thought you guys might enjoy seeing some pictures of my brother's work place...

The copters all have instructors and students. These pictures were taken during live fire training. Believe me when I say the entire base knows when this is going on.

leaving2.JPG

Apache heading home

(1.21 MiB) Downloaded 4 times

30mm dark.JPG

Apache firing 30mm and back lit

(1.11 MiB) Downloaded 4 times

pad rocket 6.JPG

Apache firing rocket

(822.52 KiB) Downloaded 4 times

What ya think?

[Neddie]

I see you had to censor the first image by removing the background.

But yes, cool!

[oksnoop2]

Yes, these are all very cool images.

[echoone]

I see you had to censor the first image by removing the background.

But yes, cool!

I didn't edit anything. He told me the other day he was going to take some pictures for me. These just arrived so I thought I'd share. I've been at the base several times during live fire. I don't believe anything needed to be censored. I double checked the exif info and it shows it was taken from a coolpix. He probably just got lucky with some interesting light.

With the exception of some non-advertised weapon capabilities, computer systems inside, nothing about the bird is classified. If fact, you can even purchase the military equivalent of the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) from any number of stores. Can probably even find it online. Heck, the US even sells these things all over the world, in various build outs. From what he tells me, the Israeli version is much superior to what the US flies.

I'll ask him if he edited/enhanced the photo at all.

[Hobo Joe]

When I grow up, Imma fly 'copters

[Forboding Angel]

When I grow up, Imma fly 'copters

When I grow up, I wanna be like you.

[Wombat]

IMA NOUNCIN' MY BROTHER

but ye, job is cool

[Jazcash]

IMA NOUNCIN' MY BROTHER

urdoinitrong. He's not nouncin' anything.

[Wombat]

fu

[Hobo Joe]

When I grow up, Imma fly 'copters

When I grow up, I wanna be like you.

I must strive to be a great example, just think, there are hundreds of little forbs out there who want to be just like me

[Gota]

Guy is proud of his bro whats so bad about it...cool heli's,would love to fly one ^^

[Caydr]

Looks like something good to make a mod about.

[echoone]

Got a quick reply back this morning. He said he didn't take the pictures. Those are pictures of him and a student. He says he thinks his buddy may have used an in-camera filter but isn't aware of any additional processing.

[knorke]

nice pictures. I lived "near" a helicopter and could often see them flying around. Mostly CH-53's and some small Bell thingies I think but also NH-90 and during a show they had Hind copters (not sure of the real name...some giant russian thing) and Eurocopter Tigers.

[Gota]

nice pictures. I lived "near" a helicopter and could often see them flying around. Mostly CH-53's and some small Bell thingies I think but also NH-90 and during a show they had Hind copters (not sure of the real name...some giant russian thing) and Eurocopter Tigers.

You live near a helicopter?hehe

[knorke]

actually there was a nest.

[Pxtl]

Did the longbow program get discontinued? I know the Comanche program got killed - rotary-wing attack craft turned out to be kind of a boondoggle for the military, compared to drones and the A-10.

[echoone]

Did the longbow program get discontinued?

Still alive and well. The Comanche cancellation re-invigorated development of the Apache. It now has more weapons systems and capabilities which are largely unknown. Part of its current round of improvements include SAM (radar and heat) counter measures, which exceed 90%, single missile counter-effectiveness, for all but the latest generation of seekers. Unfortunately, most are still not equipped.

I know the Comanche program got killed

Comanche program was canceled because it was way over budget and no where near delivering on its primary goals.

- rotary-wing attack craft turned out to be kind of a boondoggle for the military, compared to drones and the A-10.

Not sure where you got that impression. The A-10 is in constant threat of cancellation and retirement. In fact, at one point, immediately prior to the first Gulf War, they were being decommissioned en mass. Regardless, the A-10 and Longbow serve very different objectives. Each perform missions which are contrary to the other's primary mission. This has never been more true since urban warfare has take center stage in the last decade. Which, needless to say, is an environment to which the A-10 is extremely poor suited.

As cool as the A-10 weapon system is, there are many missions in which the A-10 can not begin to compete. And as weapon improvements continue to permeate the world's theaters, the clock on the A-10 continues to tick; primarily because of its flight profiles.

The Apache, on the other hand, specifically because it is a rotary wing craft, is capable of flight profiles which are simply impossible for an A-10. Especially given the forests of Europe. As a very real example, when is the last time you heard an A-10 pilot discuss anger at having to evade collision with donkeys or camels. And its because of this donkey/camel avoidance flight profile which makes many rotary wing craft an extremely difficult target for even modern SAM. The flip side of this flight profile advantage is that the A-10 has a range and speed to which the Apache can simply not hope to compete. Not to mention, A-10s has serious high altitude advantages (e.g. mountainous) which seriously strain an Apache's capabilities and legs. But in desert, forest, urban, and jungle, the Apache has an ominous moniker of "night shark."; well, at least in "Arabic"-languages. And continues to be one of the primary reasons why the US owns the night.

And contrary to what you commonly see in movies of fragile helicopters, Apaches are extremely robust and durable aircraft. Like the A-10, they can withstand considerable punishment. During operations such as Operation Anaconda, most Apache's came home with multiple holes through their rotors as well as a multitude of holes in their fuselages; including direct hits from enemy AA and large caliber machine guns. Even more noteworthy, several received direct hits from RPGs and were still flown home. One had its FLIR system entirely blown off. Another took a hit to its transmission and lost all fluid over the next ten minutes or so. The one which took a transmission hit was actually landed, under fire, visually inspected, refilled with fluid, and flown home. Of course, while on the ground, other Apache's flew close orbits to provide protection and keep pressure off of them.

Furthermore, contrary to popular myth, the Apache is a superior weapon system to that of the Cobra program. Dramatically superior in fact. But, given that the Cobra serves the Marines, the Cobra is a superior weapons for their needs - which is that of a fast reactionary force. The Apache, while being superior, is a much larger and heavier bird, which consumes much more fuel and more maintenance. For a forward operating, reactionary force, those are all negatives. As such, you can see why the A-10, Cobra, and Apache, are all well suited for their roles and are actually complimentary to each other given their mission profiles.

For every soldier who has pulled convoy duty, you won't find one who has a negative word to say about AH-64's pulling escort duty in slow orbit around that convoy. In fact, convoy's escorted by AH-64s are almost never attacked. This is simply not true with convoy's who are backed by A-10s - again primarily because of their flight profiles and the opportunities afforded to the enemy via gorilla tactices. Where ever Apache's are seen, it is well known for being extremely demoralizing to its enemy; ensuring they always think twice before attacking.

[Wombat]

i want pic of its machinegun

[echoone]

i want pic of its machinegun

A simple google search will help with that. I assume you mean the Apache's. If you mean the A-10, again google can help with that.

To put the size of the projectile into perspective, the M203 fires a 40mm grenade. The Apache and A-10 both fire a 30mm round; both capable of using HE rounds. Obviously the A-10's notorious cannon fires a round which is longer and considerably more powerful; not to mention at a much higher rate of fire.