Editing AgustaWestland Apache (section)

===Overview===
[[File:Army Air Corps Apache Helicopter Pilot Prepares forTake Off MOD 45154502.jpg|thumb|Showing CRV7 rocket pods and rails for Hellfire missiles in 2012|alt=Front-end view of attack helicopter taking off]]

In May 2005, the first Apache-equipped regiment achieved operational status.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4309208/First-Apache-Attack-Helicopter-regiment.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120311164652/http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4309208/First-Apache-Attack-Helicopter-regiment.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 11 March 2012 |title= First Apache Attack Helicopter regiment fully operational |publisher= M2 Presswire |date= 25 May 2005}}</ref> The Westland Apache replaced the [[Westland Lynx|Westland Lynx AH7]] as the British Army's tactical attack helicopter. The Apache was operated by two regiments of the [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]] (3 Regt AAC and 4 Regt AAC) as part of [[1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team (United Kingdom)|1st Aviation Brigade]]. The Apache was intended to operate in the armed reconnaissance and attack roles, similar to the US usage of Apaches during the 1991 Gulf War. Unlike US versions, the Westland Apache had been partially navalised and for a time served aboard [[Royal Navy]] ships in addition to its land-based role.<ref name="seatrials1"/> It achieved maritime certification in December 2005 aboard [[HMS Ocean (L12)|HMS ''Ocean'']]. On 17 November 2006, [[HMS Ark Royal (R07)|HMS ''Ark Royal'']] became the first aircraft carrier to land an Apache AH1.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/topstories/6760.html |title= Apache Lands on U.K. Carrier Ark Royal |publisher= Aviation Today |date= 17 November 2006 |access-date= 4 May 2010 |archive-date= 3 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184045/http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/topstories/6760.html |url-status= live}}</ref>

They first appeared in combat as part of [[Operation Herrick]] in Afghanistan in May 2006.<ref name=Hoyle20131128 /> In August 2006, the intense usage of Apaches in Afghanistan led to British commanders admitting that weapons and spare parts were being used at a far greater rate, and subsequently a greater cost, than anticipated.<ref>{{cite web |first= Neil |last= Tweedie |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527468/Troops-use-up-ammo-as-war-with-Taliban-claims-14th-life.html |title= Troops use up ammo as war with Taliban claims 14th life |work= The Telegraph |date= 28 August 2006 |access-date= 2 April 2018 |archive-date= 7 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160707105216/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527468/Troops-use-up-ammo-as-war-with-Taliban-claims-14th-life.html |url-status= live}}</ref> On 11 November 2007, it was reported that half of the Apache gunships in British service had been grounded as they had fallen below the level considered "fit for purpose", along with several other British Helicopters such as the [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Chinook]] and [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HC3]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1568987/Half-of-Army-gunships-are-grounded.html |title= Half of Army gunships are grounded |first= Robert |last= Watts |work= The Daily Telegraph |date= 11 November 2007 |access-date= 2 April 2018 |archive-date= 25 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150925144748/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1568987/Half-of-Army-gunships-are-grounded.html |url-status= live}}</ref> By November 2008, the situation had further declined, out of 67 aircraft only 20 were available for combat operations.<ref name= 'sean fit'>{{cite web |first= Sean |last= Rayment |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/3501340/Fewer-than-one-in-three-of-Britains-Apache-attack-helicopters-fit-for-purpose.html |title= Fewer than one in three of Britain's Apache attack helicopters 'fit for purpose' |work= The Telegraph |date= 22 November 2008 |access-date= 2 April 2018 |archive-date= 10 October 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161010074619/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/3501340/Fewer-than-one-in-three-of-Britains-Apache-attack-helicopters-fit-for-purpose.html |url-status= live}}</ref> In 2009, AgustaWestland was awarded a contract for support services for the Apache and many components such as the Longbow radar; in the following months senior officers noted that the support change had resulted in higher availability.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Supporting-Britains-Apaches-WAH-64-IOS-Contract-05845/ |title= Supporting Britain's Apaches: AW's IOS Contract |publisher= Defense Industry Daily |date= 22 February 2010 |access-date= 29 May 2011 |archive-date= 21 October 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111021015136/https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Supporting-Britains-Apaches-WAH-64-IOS-Contract-05845/ |url-status= live}}</ref> In June 2011, civilian maintainers of the Apache at Wattisham Airfield threatened [[industrial action]] over a pay dispute.<ref>[http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/local/base_s_apache_engineers_could_take_strike_action_1_2781213 "Base’s Apache engineers could take strike action."]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} ''Bury Free Press'', 20 June 2011.</ref>

In October 2008 it was announced that [[Prince Harry]] had begun the process of qualifying to become an Apache pilot.{{cn|date=February 2020}} In May 2010, the terrorist organisation [[Al Qaeda]] threatened to abduct the prince if he piloted an Apache in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-09/uk/28281583_1_al-qaida-qaida-secret-deployment |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120902075730/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-09/uk/28281583_1_al-qaida-qaida-secret-deployment |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2 September 2012 |work= [[The Times of India]] |title= Al-Qaida threatens to abduct Prince Harry, if he flies Apache helicopter |date = 9 May 2010}}</ref> In April 2011, Prince Harry was promoted to captain following his completion of Apache conversion training.<ref>{{cite web|first=Paul |last=Harrison |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Prince-Harry-Promoted-To-Captain-And-Trained-As-Apache-Attack-Helicopter-Pilot/Article/201104315973836?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15973836_Prince_Harry_Promoted_To_Captain_And_Trained_As_Apache_Attack_Helicopter_Pilot |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714124434/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Prince-Harry-Promoted-To-Captain-And-Trained-As-Apache-Attack-Helicopter-Pilot/Article/201104315973836?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15973836_Prince_Harry_Promoted_To_Captain_And_Trained_As_Apache_Attack_Helicopter_Pilot |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2012 |title=Prince Harry Reaches Rank of Army Captain |publisher=Sky News |date=17 April 2011}}</ref> In June 2011, sections of the media reported that Prince Harry was to deploy to Afghanistan as an Apache pilot in 2012.<ref name = 'har ret'>{{cite web |first = Nick |last = Collins |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8578644/Prince-Harry-to-return-to-Afghanistan.html |title = Prince Harry to return to Afghanistan |work = The Telegraph |date = 16 June 2011 |access-date = 2 April 2018 |archive-date = 14 June 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180614024632/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8578644/Prince-Harry-to-return-to-Afghanistan.html |url-status = live}}</ref> He subsequently deployed to Afghanistan as part of [[No. 662 Squadron AAC|662 Squadron]] in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19516079|title = Prince Harry deployed to Afghanistan|publisher = BBC|date = 7 September 2012|access-date = 20 June 2018|archive-date = 22 June 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180622142200/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19516079|url-status = live}}</ref>

Three Apaches were deployed to [[Bardufoss Air Station]] in Norway in January 2019. The deployment, known as ''Exercise Clockwork'', represented the aircraft's first cold weather training within the [[Arctic Circle]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/exercise-clockwork-army-apaches-make-arctic-debut|title=Exercise Clockwork: Army Apaches Make Arctic Debut|last=Ricks|first=Rebecca|date=29 January 2019|website=Forces Network|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053214/https://www.forces.net/news/exercise-clockwork-army-apaches-make-arctic-debut|url-status=live}}</ref>