An AH-64D Apache Longbow. (Photo : US Army)
The United States Forces Korea announced the deployment of 24 Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters in February to cope with twin threats arising from North Korea's ongoing ballistic missile tests and China's vow to take unspecified retaliatory measures against the deployment of the U.S. THAAD anti-missile system in May.
The Apache Longbows will be deployed to South Korea in February to replace 30 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior observation and light attack helicopters.
A combat proven tank and infantry killer in U.S. service since 1986, the Apache in its various versions has seen combat with the U.S. armed forces around the world.
The AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, heavily armored, twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. It features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
It's armed with a 30 mm M230 chain gun mounted under the aircraft's forward fuselage. It has four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons, typically carrying a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and unguided Hydra 70 rockets.
The AH-645D Longbow to be stationed in South Korea is distinctive because of a huge radome located above its rotor. The radome houses an AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave fire-control radar target acquisition system and Radar Frequency Interferometer.
The AN/APG-78 is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 128 targets and engaging 16 at once. An attack can be initiated within 30 seconds after target detection.
"The Apache helicopter battalion will be stationed at Camp Humphreys (in Pyeongtaek, 44 miles south of Seoul), and part of the unit will be temporarily deployed to Suwon Air Base until the new aircraft parking apron is complete at CP Humphreys," said U.S. Army Col. Rob Manning.
"The rotational deployment of the Apache helicopters is a demonstration of strong U.S. will in implementing its security commitments and will significantly strengthen the (South Korea-U.S.) combined defense posture and capabilities."
Camp Humphreys is the largest U.S. military garrison in Asia and is the base for all US. Forces stationed in South Korea. There are now over 29,000 U.S. troops in South Korea.
Camp Humphreys is located 159 km away from Seongju where the first U.S. THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Air Defense) system will be deployed in May. A second THAAD battery will also be deployed but its location has not been revealed.
The arrival of the 24 Apache Longbows will go a long way towards contributing to the security of both THAAD sites against military action by China.
