VISVESWARAIAH TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Jnana Sangama, Belgaum 590014

TECHNICAL SEMINAR REPORT ON

APACHE HELICOPTER
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the VIII Semester of Degree of

Bachelor of Engineering In Mechanical Engineering By

SRINIDHI ACHARYA S R 1CE06ME025 Under the guidance of

Mrs. T. R. UMA
Ass. Professor, Department of ME
CITY ENGINEERING COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CITY ENGINEERING COLLEGE

Vasanthapura, kanakapura Main Road

Bangalore-560062.

CITY ENGINEERING COLLEGE

BANGALORE, KARNATAKA- 560062
AFFILIATED TO VISVESWARAIAH TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, BELGUAM

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that seminar work entitled APACHE HELICOPTER is carried out by SRINIDHI ACHARYA S R bearing the USN 1CE06ME025, a bonafide student of City Engineering College ,Bangalore in partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering of the Visveswaraiah Technological University, Belgaum during the year 2009-2010. It is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated for internal assessment have been incorporated in the report deposited in the departmental library. The Seminar report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of the seminar work prescribed for the said degree.

.
Mrs. T. R. UMA
Assistant Professor Dept. of Mechanical Engineering City Engineering College Bangalore- 560062

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Mr . R . RAGHAVENDRA RAO

. Dr. P.S. Satyanarayana MTech, PhD Principal City Engineering College

Name of Examiners: 1.

What is a Helicopter?
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine driven rotors. In contrast with fixed-wing aircraft, this allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards and laterally.This was coined by Gustave de Ponton d'Amecourt in 1861, which originates from the Greek word helix/helik meaning 'spiral' or 'turning' .

Unique Features : Rotating-wing vehicles Ability to hover Land and take-off vertically Fly forward, backward and sideways Helicopters are closely related to autogyros and tiltrotors.

APACHE HELICOPERS; An Apache helicopter is a military helicopter designed for use by the United States Army. It is also used by Greece, Israel, and the Netherlands. The Apache design is revolutionary in the world of military helicopters. It acts as an airborne tank, with heavy weapons systems which are capable of targeting heavily-armored ground targets.
The design for the Apache was developed by Hughes Helicopters in the 1980s. It was formally known - The AH-64 Apache. It is manufactured by Boeing Aircraft. Each Apache helicopter has two cockpits, with a complete set of controls for both a pilot and a gunner in each cockpit. Apaches have a twin engine design which keeps the helicopter flying in the event of engine trouble.

In addition to some offensive equipment, it also have some useful defensive equipment, including very sophisticated sensor systems. he Apache uses electronic wizardry to find its way and to aim its high-tech
missiles and cannon. The two pilots of the slender, mantis-like Apache can hug the earth when they need to or use night-

vision equipment and high-tech sensors to navigate through smoke and rough weather to seek out enemy troops and tanks. ssisted by observation helicopters and staying in close contact with troops on the ground, the Apache can shoot with remarkable accuracy from a greater distance than most other combat helicopters. With its speed, durability and accuracy, the Apache adds a new dimension to the ground commander's responsibility of outsmarting and outfighting his adversary. There are three variants the Apache: the original AH-64A, the next-generation AH-64D, and the radar-equipped AH-64D called the AH-64 Apache Longbow. The Apache Longbow is the newest Apache version. The Longbow version is 28 times more effective than the original. More than 1,100 Apaches have been delivered to customers around the world since it went into production in the 1980s. Boeing has announced a commitment to deliver 1000 more in the next decade. The Apache has accumulated more than 1.5 million flight hours since the first prototype flew in 1975.

The first fully equipped U.S. army unit with Apache Longbows, fielded in November 1998, was the first unit to field the Interactive Electronic Technical Manual. A revolutionary Class IV computerized data storage system enables troubleshooting, configuration management, and eliminates the need for paper technical manuals. Planned enhancements for the Apache Longbow include a Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/ Pilot Night Vision Sensor, enhancements to the Data Modem, advanced non-line-of-site communications, and a full digital map. The Longbows have greater weapons accuracy at longer range and have the ability to fight more effectively at night and in nearly all weather conditions. The US army has established programs designed to keep its Apaches at the leading edge of technology for the next 30-plus years. The Apache is an extremely maneuverable chopper. It can perform loops, rolls, hammerhead stalls, and split-S maneuvers at full mission weight.
here are many improvements from the original AH-64A to the AH-64D Longbow. The AH-64D Longbow is 400% more lethal than the original and 720% more survivable. It has the ability to initiate the radar scan, detect and classify more than 128 targets, prioritize the 16 most dangerous targets, transmit the information to other aircraft, and initiate the precision fire and forget attack - all in less than a minute. In addition, it also requires one-third less maintenance man-hours per flight hour than the requirement. The first Allied shots at Iraqi ground troops during the Gulf War were fired by AH-64A Apaches. They destroyed air defense systems to create a corridor for the Allied air attack. During Operation Desert Storm, AH-64As were credited with destroying more than 500 tanks plus hundreds of additional armored personnel carriers, trucks, and other vehicles. Boeing delivered the U.S. Army's 100th Apache Longbow in December of 1999. Below are explanations and information for different aspects of the Apache Helicopter

The newest Apache sports twin General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines, boasting about 1,700 horsepower each. Each engine turns a drive shaft, which is connected to a simple gear box. The gear box shifts the angle of rotation about 90 degrees and passes the power on to the transmission. The transmission transmits the power to the main rotor assembly and a long shaft leading to the tail rotor. The rotor is optimized to provide much greater agility than you find in a typical helicopter.

The AH-64 Apache helicopter.

TYPES OF APACHE HELICOPTER :

TAI/AgustaWestland T-129 AgustaWestland AW129 AH-1 Cobra AH-1 SuperCobra AH-1Z Viper Panha 2091 AH-64 Apache Denel AH-2 Rooivalk

HISTORY OF APACHE HELICOPTER :

Apache history was made 25 years ago when the first prototype--known as the YAH-64--lifted off on September 30, 1975, from test facilities in Carlsbad, California. The twin-engine, T-tailed attack helicopter was developed for the U.S. Army by Hughes Helicopters, today a part of the Boeing Company. The T-tail is gone and the aircraft's fully integrated avionics and weapons system have given today's Apache Longbow a digital capability that would have been hard to imagine in 1975. The first fully equipped U.S. army unit with Apache Longbows, fielded in November 1998, was the first unit to field the Interactive Electronic Technical Manual. A revolutionary Class IV computerized data storage system enables troubleshooting, configuration management, and eliminates the need for paper technical manuals

How Apache Helicopters Work

The Apache helicopter is a revolutionary development in the history of war. It is essentially a flying tank -- a helicopter designed to survive heavy attack and inflict massive damage. It can zero in on specific targets, day or night, even in terrible weather. As you might expect, it is a terrifying machine to ground forces.

Apache helicopters consists of amazing flight systems, weapons systems, sensor systems and armor systems. Individually, these components are remarkable pieces of technology. Combined together, they make up an unbelievable fighting machine -- the most lethal helicopter ever created. At its core, an Apache works pretty much the same way as any other helicopter. It has two rotors that spin several blades. A blade is a tilted airfoil, just like an airplane wing. As it speeds through the air, each blade generates lift. The main rotor, attached to the top of the helicopter, spins four 20-foot (6-meter) blades. The pilot maneuvers the helicopter by adjusting a swash plate mechanism. The swash plate changes each blade'spitch (tilt) to increase lift. Adjusting the pitch equally for all blades lifts the helicopter straight up and down. Changing the pitch as the blades make their way around the rotation cycle creates uneven lift, causing the helicopter to tilt and fly in a particular direction.

APACHE ROTORS AND BLADES :

Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

The rotor assembly on an AH-64A Apache

As the main rotor spins, it exerts a rotation force on the entire helicopter. The rear rotor blades work against this force -- they push the tail boom in the opposite direction. By changing the pitch of the rear blades, the pilot can rotate the helicopter in either direction or keep it from turning at all. An Apache has double tail rotors, each with two blades. The Apache's blades and wings detach for easier transport. The core structure of each blade consists of five stainless steel arms, called spars, which are surrounded by a fiberglass skeleton. while the leading edge is made of titanium. The titanium is strong enough to withstand brushes with trees and other minor obstacles, which is helpful in "nap-of-the-earth" flying
Adjusting the pitch equally for all blades lifts the helicopter straight up and down. Changing the pitch as the blades make their way around the rotation cycle creates uneven lift, causing the helicopter to tilt and fly in a particular direction. The rear rotor blades work against this force -- they push the tail boom in the opposite direction.

APACHE HELLFIRE MISSILES

The Apache's chief function is to take out heavily armored ground targets, such as tanks and bunkers. To inflict this kind of damage, you need some heavy fire power, and to do it from a helicopter, you need an extremely sophisticated targeting system.

The Apache's primary weapon, the Hellfire missile, meets these demands. Each missile is a miniature aircraft, complete with its own guidance computer, steering control and propulsion system. The payload is a high-explosive, copper-lined-charge warhead powerful enough to burn through the heaviest tank armor in existence.

Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

An Apache fires two Hellfire missiles in a training exercise. The Apache carries the missiles on four firing rails attached to pylons mounted to its wings. There are two pylons on each wing, and each pylon can support four missiles, so the Apache can carry as many as 16 missiles at a time. Before launching, each missile receives instructions directly from the helicopter's computer. When the computer transmits the fire signal, the missile sets off the propellant. Once the burning propellant generates about 500 pounds of force, the missile breaks free of the rail. As the missile speeds up, the force of acceleration triggers the arming mechanism. When the missile makes contact with the target, an impact sensor sets off the warhead. The original Hellfire design uses a laser guidance system to hit its mark. In this system, the Apache gunner aims a high-intensity laser beam at the target (in some situations, ground forces might operate the laser instead). The laser pulses on and off in a particular coded pattern.

Photo courtesy U.S. Army

Each rail set holds four Hellfire missiles. Before giving the firing signal, the Apache computer tells the missile's control system the specific pulse pattern of the laser. The missile has a laser seeker on its nose that detects the laser light reflecting off the target. In this way, the missile can see where the target is. The guidance system calculates which way

the missile needs to turn in order to head straight for the reflected laser light. To change course, the guidance system moves the missile's flight fins. This is basically the same way an airplane steers.

Photo courtesy U.S. Army

The laser-guided Hellfire system is highly effective, but it has some significant drawbacks: Cloud cover or obstacles can block the laser beam so it never makes it to the target. If the missile passes through a cloud, it can lose sight of the target. The helicopter (or a ground targeting crew) has to keep the laser fixed on the target until the missile makes contact. This means the helicopter has to be out in the open, vulnerable to attack. The Hellfire II, used in Apache Longbow helicopters, corrects these flaws. Instead of a laser-seeking system, the missile has a radar seeker. The helicopter's radar locates the target, and the missiles zero in on it. Since radio waves aren't obscured by clouds or obstacles, the missile is more likely to find its target. Since it doesn't have to keep the laser focused on the target, the helicopter can fire the missile and immediately find cover.

Apache Rockets and Chain Gun

Apaches usually fly with two Hydra rocket launchers in place of two of the Hellfire missile sets. Each rocket launcher carries 19 folding-fin 2.75-inch aerial rockets, secured in launching tubes. To fire the rockets, the launcher triggers an igniter at the rear end of the tube. The Apache gunner can fire one rocket at a time or launch them in groups. The flight fins unfold to stabilize the rocket once it leaves the launcher.

Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

The Hydra rocket launcher (right) and Hellfire missile rails (left) on an AH-64A Apache helicopter

Who uses the Apache, and who makes it?

The Apache is the primary attack helicopter in the U.S. arsenal. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Israel and Saudi Arabia, have also added Apaches to their fleet. The first series of Apaches, developed by Hughes Helicopters in the 1970s, went into active service in 1985. The U.S. military is gradually replacing this original design, known as the AH-64A Apache, with the more advanced AH-64D Apache Longbow. In 1984, McDonnell Douglas purchased Hughes Helicopters, and in 1997, Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas. Today, Boeing manufactures Apache helicopters, and the UK-based GKN Westland Helicoptersmanufacturers the English version of the Apache, the WAH-64. The rockets work with a variety of warhead designs. For example, they might be armed with high-power explosives or just smoke-producing materials. In one configuration, the warhead delivers severalsubmunitions, small bombs that separate from the rocket in the air and fall on targets below. The gunner engages close-range targets with anM230 30-mm automatic cannon attached to a turret under the helicopter's nose. The gunner aims the gun using a sophisticated computer system in the cockpit. The computer controls hydraulics that swing the turret from side to side and up and down.

The automatic cannon is a chain gun design, powered by an electric motor. The motor rotates the chain, which slides the bolt assembly back and forth to load, fire, extract and eject cartridges. This is different from an ordinary machine gun, which uses the force of the cartridge explosion or flying bullet to move the bolt.

Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

The M-230A1 30-mm automatic cannon on an AH-64A Apache The cartridges travel from a magazine above the gun down a feed chute to the chamber. The magazine holds a maximum of 1,200 rounds, and the gun can fire 600 to 650 rounds a minute. The cannon fires high-explosive rounds designed to pierce light armor.

Apache Controls
The Apache cockpit is divided into two sections, one directly behind the other. The pilot sits in the rear section, and the co-pilot/gunner sits in the front section. As you might expect, the pilot maneuvers thehelicopter and the gunner aims and fires the weapons. Both sections of the cockpit include flight and firing controls in case one pilot needs to take over full operation. he pilot sits behind the gunner in the cockpit.
Each seat position has redundant systems allowing the gunner to fly the aircraft if necessary or allowing the pilot to fire the weapons. The Apache has a digital stabilization system that fine-tunes the angles and pitch of the rotors for a smooth flight. It can also make the helicopter hover automatically for short periods. Three digital display panels provide the crew with most navigation and flight information.

Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

The Apache has two cockpit sections: The pilot sits in the rear and the gunner sits in the front. The rear section is raised above the front section so the pilot can see clearly. The pilot flies the Apache using collective and cyclic controls, similar to ones you would find in any other helicopter. The controls manipulate the rotors using both a mechanical hydraulic system and a digital stabilization system. The digital stabilization system fine-tunes the powerful hydraulic system to keep the helicopter flying smoothly. The stabilization system can also keep the helicopter in an automatichovering position for short periods of time.

Photo courtesy U.S. Army

Inside the Apache Longbow cockpit On the Longbow Apache, three display panels provide the pilot with most navigation and flight information. These digital displays are much easier to read than traditional instrument dials. The pilot simply presses buttons on the side of the display to find the information he or she needs

The Apache cockpit is divided into two sections, one directly behind the other. The pilot sits in the rear section, and the co-pilot/gunner sits in the front section. As you might expect, the pilot maneuvers the helicopter and the gunner aims and fires the weapons. Both sections of the cockpit include flight and firing controls in case one pilot needs to take over full operation.

Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

The Apache has two cockpit sections: The pilot sits in the rear and the gunner sits in the front. The rear section is raised above the front section so the pilot can see clearly. The pilot flies the Apache using collective and cyclic controls, similar to ones you would find in any other helicopter. The controls manipulate the rotors using both a mechanical hydraulic system and a digital stabilization system. The digital stabilization system fine-tunes the powerful hydraulic system to keep the helicopter flying smoothly. The stabilization system can also keep the helicopter in an automatic hovering position for short periods of time.

Photo courtesy U.S. Army

Inside the Apache Longbow cockpit

On the Longbow Apache, three display panels provide the pilot with most navigation and flight information. These digital displays are much easier to read than traditional instrument dials. The pilot simply presses buttons on the side of the display to find the information he or she needs.

Apache Sensors
One of the coolest things about the Apache is its sophisticated sensor equipment. The Longbow Apache detects surrounding ground forces, aircraft and buildings using a radar dome mounted to the mast. The radar dome uses millimeter radio waves that can make out the shape of anything in range. Theradar signal processor compares these shapes to a database of tanks, trucks, other aircraft and equipment to identify the general class of each potential target. The computer pinpoints these targets on the pilot's and gunner's display panels. The Longbow has very sophisticated sensors to detect ground forces, buildings, and aircraft. Using the radar
dome mounted to the mast the Apache sends out millimeter radio waves that can make out the shape of anything in range. The radar signal processor compares these shapes to a database with trucks, people, and several aircraft to identify the general class of each potential target. The computer pinpoints these targets and displays them on the pilots and gunners panels. Both the pilot and gunner have night vision systems. The pilot's night vision sensor is mounted on top of the Apache's nose. The gunner's is located on the lower turret that also includes a normal video camera and a telescope. The information from these turrets is displayed on a small display in each crew-member's helmet. Infrared sensors in the cockpit tracks the movements of the crew's heads, when the pilot or gunner moves their head the sensors follow. There are also manual controls to move the sensors.

Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

The Apache Longbow has a distinctive radar dome mounted to its mast. The pilot and the gunner both use night vision sensors for night operations. The night vision sensors work on the forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, which detects the infrared light released by heated objects. (See How Night Vision Works for more information.) The pilot's night vision sensor is attached to a rotating turret on top of the Apache's nose. The gunner's night vision sensor is attached to a separate turret on the underside of the nose. The lower turret also supports a normal video camera and a telescope, which the gunner uses during the day.

Photo courtesy U.S. Army

The sensor array on an Apache helicopter The computer transmits the night vision or video picture to a small display unit in each pilot's helmet. The video display projects the image onto a monocular lens in front of the pilot's right eye. Infrared sensors in the cockpit track how the pilot positions the helmet and relay this information to the turret control system. Each pilot can aim the sensors by simply moving his or her head! Manual controls are also available, of course. (See this U.S. Army Apache page for more information on the helmet targeting system.)

The helmet targeting system in an Apache helicopter Next, let's look at a few of the systems that protect the pilot and gunner during battle.

Weapons

The apache has two wings each with two pylons. These pylons can carry any combination of fuel tanks, Hellfire missiles, or Hydra rocket launchers. Each rocket launcher can carry 19 folding-fin 2.75-inch aerial rockets, secured in launching tubes. One rocket can be fired at a time or they can be fired in groups. The rockets can be armed with various warheads. For example, they might be armed with high-power explosives, smoke producing materials, or sub-munitions (small bombs that separate from the rocket in the air and fall on targets below). The lightweight (only weights 127 lbs) M230 30-mm automatic cannon is attached under the helicopter's nose. It too can be controlled from the gunner's helmets. The automatic cannon is a chain gun design which differs from a machine gun in that an electric motor rotates a chain, which slides the bolt to load, fire, extract and eject the cartridges. A machine gun uses the force of the cartridge explosion or flying bullets to move the bolt. The cartridges travel from a magazine above the gun to a feed chute down to the chamber. It can hold a maximum of 1,200 rounds and can fire up to 650 rounds per minute. It fires high-explosive rounds designed to pierce light armor. The Apache's primary weapon is the Hellfire missile. Each missile is like a miniature aircraft, complete with its own guidance computer, steering control, and propulsion system. The warhead is highly explosive and powerful enough to burn through the heaviest tank armor in existence. Four missiles can be attached to each pylon; an Apache can carry up to sixteen missiles each time. Before the launch, each missile receives instruction from the Apache computer. The original used a laser guidance system. The Apache gunner aims a high-intensity laser at the target. When the missile is launched, it searches for this laser and follows it to the target. This system has some drawbacks; weather conditions can affect the laser beam's effectiveness. The missile can lose site of the target and never reach it and the helicopter has to stay fixed on the target in order for the missile to reach it, thus leaving the apache vulnerable to attack. The Hellfire II, used in Apache Longbow helicopters circumvents these deficiencies. The helicopter's radar locates the target, and the missiles zero in on it. Since radio waves are not obscured by clouds or obstacles, then the missile is more likely to find its target. In addition, since it does not have to keep the laser focused on the target, the helicopter can fire the missile and immediately find cover.

Armor The first line of defense the Apache helicopter has is keeping out of range. It is specifically designed at flying low to the ground and hiding behind cover. The Apache also has a radar jammer to confuse the enemy's radar. To hide itself form heat-seeking missiles it reduces its infrared signature. The Black Hold infrared suppression system dissipates the heat of the engine exhaust by missing it with air flowing around the helicopter. The cooled exhaust then passes through a special filter, which absorbs more heat. The Apache Longbow is also equipped with an infrared jammer, which generates infrared energy of varying frequencies to confuse heat-seeking missiles. The Apache is heavily armored on all sides. Some areas are also surrounded by Kevlar. The cockpit is surrounded by bulletproof glass. According to Boeing, every section of the Helicopter can survive 12.7-mm rounds and vital engine and rotor components can withstand 23-mm fire. The cockpit uses crumple zones, like in a car to protect the crew if there is a crash.

Specifications of Apache helicopter

Crew: 2: pilot, and co-pilot/gunner Length: 58.17 ft (17.73 m) (with both rotors turning) Rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m) Height: 12.7 ft (3.87 m) Disc area: 1,809.5 ft (168.11 m) Empty weight: 11,387 lb (5,165 kg) Loaded weight: 17,650 lb (8,000 kg) Max takeoff weight: 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)

Performance : Never exceed speed: 197 knots (227 mph, 365 km/h) Maximum speed: 158 knots (182 mph, 293 km/h) Cruise speed: 143 knots (165 mph, 265 km/h) Range: 257 nmi (295 mi, 476 km) with Longbow radar mast Combat radius: 260 nmi (300 mi, 480 km) Ferry range: 1,024 nmi (1,180 mi, 1,900 km) Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m, min. loaded) Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s) Disc loading: 9.80 lb/ft (47.90 kg/m) Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (310 W/kg)

MAJOR APPLICATIONS : An attack helicopter is a military helicopter specifically designed and built to carry weapons for attacking targets on the ground. The "deep attack" role of independently operating attack helicopters came into question after a failed mission, during the 2003 Gulf War