Editing Boeing AH-64 Apache (section)

===Armament and configurations===
{|class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:right;"
! Mission<ref name=dep_of_army/> !! [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire]] !! [[M230 Chain Gun|30 mm]] <br />rounds !! [[Hydra 70]] !! Maximum <br />speed <br />(knots) !! Rate of <br />climb <br />(ft/min) !! Endurance <br />(hours)
|-
| [[Anti-tank warfare|Anti-Armor]] || 16 || 1,200 || 0 || 148 || 990 || 2.5
|-
| Covering Force || 8 || 1,200 || 38 || 150 || 860 || 2.5
|-
| [[Escort fighter|Escort]] || 0 || 1,200 || 76 || 153 || 800 || 2.5
|}

The AH-64 is adaptable to numerous different roles within its context as [[Close air support|Close Combat Attack]] (CCA).<ref name=dep_of_army/> In addition to the 30&nbsp;mm [[M230 chain gun|M230E1 Chain Gun]], the Apache carries a range of external stores and weapons on its stub-wing pylons, typically a mixture of [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] anti-tank missiles, and [[Hydra 70]] general-purpose unguided {{convert|70|mm|in|abbr=on|3}} rockets.<ref name="Donald_p124-7">Donald 2004, pp. 124–127.</ref> The Hellfire is designed to defeat stationary or moving tanks as far away as 6,500 meters.<ref name="hh92">{{cite book |last1=Hinton |first1=Henry L. |last2=Dunham |first2=Raymond |last3=Gilliam |first3=Thomas W. |last4=Grant |first4=John L. |last5=Ortiz |first5=John M. |title=Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm: Observations on the Performance of the Army's Hellfire Missile |date=1 March 1992 |publisher=GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIV |edition=ADA251799 |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA251799.pdf}}</ref>

[[File:Ah-64 ground with weapons (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|AH-64 Apache weapon loadout]]
Since 2005, the Hellfire missile outfitted with a [[thermobaric]] warhead is designated AGM-114N; this missile version is intended for use against ground forces and urban warfare operations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/war/news/article.cfm?c_id=359&objectid=10342403 |title=US approves full new warhead production |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=25 August 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Smith |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/army-vacuum-missile-hits-taliban-bkpks95bdsk |title=Army 'vacuum' missile hits Taliban |work=The Times |date=22 June 2008 |location=London}}</ref> In October 2015, the U.S. Army ordered its first batch of [[Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System]] (APKWS) guided 70&nbsp;mm rockets for the Apache.<ref name="flightglobal14oct15">[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bae-secures-us-army-apache-as-apkws-laser-guided-roc-417758/ "BAE secures US Army Apache as APKWS laser-guided rocket customer"] ''FlightGlobal'', 14 October 2015</ref>

Starting in the 1980s, the [[AIM-92 Stinger|Stinger]] and [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] [[air-to-air missile]]s and the [[AGM-122 Sidearm]] anti-radiation missile were evaluated for use upon the AH-64.<ref name="Donald_p134-5">Donald 2004, pp. 134–135.</ref><ref>Richardson and Peacock 1992, pp. 40–41, 60.</ref> The Stinger was initially selected; the U.S. Army was also considering the [[Starstreak missile#Variants|Starstreak]] air-to-air missile.<ref name="Donald_p134-5"/><ref name=Janes_AWA_2010>"Boeing AH-64 Apache". ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft''. Jane's Information Group, 2010. [http://www4.janes.com/K2/doc.jsp?t=B&K2DocKey=/content1/janesdata/yb/jawa/jawa1193.htm@current&Prod_Name=JAWA& subscription article, 1 February 2010].{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> External fuel tanks can also be carried on the stub wings to increase range and mission time.<ref name=dep_of_army/> The stub-wing pylons have mounting points for maintenance access; these mountings can also be used to secure personnel externally for emergency transport.<ref name=rescue>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6269613.stm |title=Helicopter rescue bid for Marine |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2007}}</ref> Stinger missiles are often used on non-U.S. Apaches, as foreign forces do not have as many air superiority aircraft to control the skies.<ref>[http://www.dodbuzz.com/2013/10/23/raytheon-sells-stingers-for-apaches-abroad/ Raytheon Sells Stingers for Apaches Abroad] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301092347/http://www.dodbuzz.com/2013/10/23/raytheon-sells-stingers-for-apaches-abroad/ |date=1 March 2014}} – DoDBuzz.com, 23 October 2013</ref> The AH-64E initially lacked the ability to use the Stinger to make room for self-defense equipment, but the capability was added back following a South Korean demand.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/weapon-sensor-upgrades-coming-for-apache-fleet-410766/ Weapon, sensor upgrades coming for Apache fleet]. ''FlightGlobal'', 31 March 2015.</ref>

The AH-64E is able to control [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs), used by the U.S. Army to perform aerial scouting missions previously performed by the [[OH-58 Kiowa]]. Apaches can request to take control of an [[RQ-7 Shadow]] or [[MQ-1C Grey Eagle]] from ground control stations to safely scout via datalink communications. There are four levels of UAV interoperability (LOI): LOI 1 indirectly receives payload data; LOI 2 receives payload data through direct communication; LOI 3 deploys the UAV's armaments; and LOI 4 takes over flight control. UAVs can search for enemies and, if equipped with a [[laser designator]], target them for the Apache or other friendly aircraft.<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/125676/Apache_UAV_teaming_combines__best_capabilities_of_man__machine_/ "Apache-UAV teaming combines 'best capabilities of man, machine'"]. Army.mil, 8 May 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.gizmag.com/boeing-apache-demonstrates-uav-control/5506/ "Boeing Apache demonstrates UAV Control"]. gizmag.com, 12 April 2006.</ref>

[[File:AH-64 Apache with Spike NLOS.jpg|thumb|AH-64E with Spike NLOS missiles]]
Boeing has suggested that the AH-64 could be fitted with a [[directed energy weapon]]. The company has developed a small laser weapon, initially designed to engage small UAVs, that uses a high-resolution telescope to direct a 2–10&nbsp;kW beam with the diameter of a [[penny]] out to a range of {{convert|5.4|nmi|km mi|abbr=on}}. On the Apache, the laser could be used to destroy enemy communications or radio equipment.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-lockheed-unveil-competing-uav-killing-concep-417714/ Boeing, Lockheed unveil competing UAV-killing concepts] ''FlightGlobal'', 14 October 2015</ref> On 26 June 2017, the Army and [[Raytheon]] announced they had successfully completed the first-ever helicopter-based flight demonstration of a high energy laser system from an AH-64.<ref>[http://airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2017/june/3573-raytheon-us-army-complete-first-ever-helicopter-based-firing-of-high-energy-laser.html "Raytheon, US Army complete first ever helicopter-based firing of High Energy Laser"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701030224/http://airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2017/june/3573-raytheon-us-army-complete-first-ever-helicopter-based-firing-of-high-energy-laser.html |date=1 July 2017 }} – Airrecognition.com, 26 June 2017</ref>

On 14 July 2016, it was reported that the AH-64 had successfully completed testing of the [[MBDA]] [[Brimstone (missile)|Brimstone]] anti-armor missile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2016/07/14/MBDA-fires-Brimstone-missile-from-Apache-helicopter/9021468503609/ |title=MBDA fires Brimstone missile from Apache helicopter |publisher=UPI.com |date=14 July 2016 |access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref> In January 2020, the U.S. Army announced it was fielding the [[Spike (missile)|Spike NLOS]] missile on AH-64E Apaches as an interim solution to acquire new munitions that provide greater stand-off capabilities.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/01/09/army-to-field-israeli-made-long-range-missile-on-helicopters/ "US Army to field Israeli-made long-range missile on helicopters"]. ''Defense News''. 9 January 2020.</ref>