AH-64E Apache Guardian

The latest production version of the U.S. Army's twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter, featuring the Longbow millimeter-wave fire-control radar and improved engines. It is the world's most widely exported attack helicopter, flown by over a dozen allied air arms.

Max speed

293 km/h

Range

480 km

Payload

771 kg

💲 Approximate unit flyaway cost, AH-64E new-build

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 293 km/h

14th pct in class
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.: 265 km/h

29th pct in class
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 480 km

29th pct in class
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.: 6,400 m

71th pct in class
Rate of climb How fast the aircraft gains altitude. Higher means better energy recovery in combat.: 13 m/s

57th pct in class

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 30 mm M230 chain gun
Hardpoints External stations for weapons and pods. More means bigger and more flexible loadouts.: 4

0th pct in class
Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.: 771 kg

0th pct in class

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.: Crew compartment boron-carbide armor plating and crash-resistant seats
Countermeasures Self-protection: chaff, flares, DIRCM, towed decoys, smoke dischargers, jammers.: AN/APR-48 radar warning receiver, chaff, flares, AN/AAR-11 missile warning system

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 17.73 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.: 3.87 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 5,165 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 10,433 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 2

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: 2x General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft, 2000 hp each
Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.: 2
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.: 2,000 hp

57th pct in class
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Turboshaft

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Radar Primary radar. AESA (active electronically scanned array) is the current state of the art.: AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave fire-control radar
Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights.: AN/ASQ-170 Target Acquisition Designation Sight, AN/AAR-11 pilot night vision sensor
Thermal imaging Thermal sights for night and obscured-visibility operations.: Yes

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper.: $35,000,000

25th pct in class
Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 2,600

86th pct in class
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 17

86th pct in class

Specifications compiled from public Boeing and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-01.

Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian has a maximum speed of 293 km/h.

What is the range of the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian has a maximum range of 480 km.

What is the weapons payload of the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian can carry up to 771 kg of weapons payload.

How much does the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian weigh? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian has a combat weight of 10,433 kg.

How many crew does the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian require? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian requires a crew of 2.

What is the main armament of the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian's primary weapon is the 30 mm M230 chain gun.

What engine does the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian use? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian is powered by the 2x General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft, 2000 hp each.

What is the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian used for? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian is a attack helicopter typically used for close air support, anti armor.

How many countries operate the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian is operated by 17 countries.

How much does the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian cost? +

The Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian has an approximate unit cost of 35,000,000 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration — treat this as directional.