Exclusive: U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopter evolves from tank killer to frontline counter-drone weapon.

On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the U.S. Army has recently showcased the AH-64E Apache’s ability to detect, track, and defeat hostile unmanned aircraft systems during a live demonstration in South Carolina, United States. The event was organized by Program Manager Apache in collaboration with Program Manager Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions, the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition team responsible for advanced 30mm proximity-fused ammunition, and the South Carolina Army National Guard. This trial emphasized how the Apache, long regarded as a premier attack helicopter, now provides commanders with a versatile airborne counter-UAS platform in an era where drones dominate modern battlefields.
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A U.S. Army AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter from the 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, conducts a flight during the joint strike exercise Super Garuda Shield 25 in Baturaja, Indonesia, on August 31, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopter crews carried out engagements using an array of munitions including the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, multiple HELLFIRE variants, Hydra-70 Guided Rockets equipped with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), and 30mm cannon fire. The demonstration proved the versatility of the platform, with all missile launches destroying their targets, APKWS rockets neutralizing three out of four threats, and 30mm rounds successfully disrupting designated drones. The performance highlighted how Apache weapon systems can offer commanders scalable effects, balancing range, accuracy, and risk management while maintaining rapid engagement capability.

The AH-64 Apache’s combat value rests in the synergy of its advanced sensor suite and diverse arsenal. The AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar mounted above the rotor mast gives the helicopter a 360-degree capability to detect, classify, and prioritize aerial and ground targets even in adverse weather or obscured conditions. This radar is now being leveraged to track small drones that would otherwise evade traditional static radars. Complementing the radar is the Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS), which provides high-resolution day and night imagery, laser designation, and tracking functions, essential for identifying and engaging low-flying drones. These systems, combined with secure datalinks such as Link 16, allow the Apache to share targeting information in real time with other aircraft and ground-based air defenses, extending the protective shield across the battlespace.

Its weapon systems provide layered and flexible counter-UAS effects. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile delivers precision engagement against larger aerial or ground targets, while its successor, the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), expands lethality with advanced seekers and greater range. For mid-range threats, Hydra-70 rockets equipped with APKWS kits transform unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions, offering a cost-effective way to destroy smaller drones. At close quarters, the M230 30mm chain gun, now paired with new proximity-fused ammunition, gives the Apache the ability to neutralize drones with rapid bursts of fire. This combination of sensors and weapons forms a multi-layered defense system in a single airborne platform.

Since its introduction in the 1980s, the American AH-64E Apache has been primarily employed for anti-armor missions, deep strike operations, and close air support. Across conflicts from Operation Desert Storm to Iraq and Afghanistan, the helicopter proved its effectiveness against conventional armored forces and insurgent threats. The emergence of drones on modern battlefields, however, demanded a new operational role. Small and swarming unmanned systems have become one of the most pressing challenges for militaries worldwide, as seen in Ukraine and the Middle East where low-cost drones inflict disproportionate damage on ground forces. This has driven the Army to adapt the Apache’s mission set from a traditional tank-killer into a flexible aerial platform capable of countering unmanned threats in addition to its core strike functions.

Lessons from recent conflicts illustrate why this adaptation is essential. In Ukraine, small quadcopters and loitering munitions have overwhelmed static defenses, targeting artillery, armor, and logistics nodes with precision at low cost. During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani forces used Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones to devastating effect, exploiting gaps in Armenian air defenses to destroy tanks, air defense radars, and artillery positions. Similarly, in Syria and Iraq, both state and non-state actors employed commercial drones for surveillance and strikes, challenging conventional air defenses designed for higher-end threats. These experiences underscore the need for mobile, flexible platforms like the Apache that can move with ground forces, detect concealed drones, and engage them before they strike.

Compared to ground-based air defense systems, AH-64E Apache attack helicopters offer unique advantages. Standard surface-to-air missile systems such as Patriot or NASAMS provide effective coverage but are limited to fixed positions and rely heavily on radar signatures, leaving gaps against low-flying drones or those operating in cluttered environments. Apache platforms, by contrast, combine advanced sensors with mobility, allowing them to patrol vulnerable zones, detect threats concealed from static radars, and engage targets at varying ranges with a wide choice of munitions. They also deliver a cost-benefit advantage, as using precision rockets or 30mm rounds against small drones is more economical than expending high-value air defense interceptors.

Additionally, compared to other combat assets like jet fighters, the Apache provides persistent battlefield presence and slower operational speeds that improve detection and engagement of small, low-signature drones. Fighters are optimized for high-speed air dominance missions and are less efficient in sustained counter-UAS operations. The AAH-64E pache’s ability to remain on station for extended periods, integrate with ground units, and share real-time situational awareness via networked systems reinforces its role as a frontline guardian against drone incursions.

U.S. Army leadership emphasized the significance of the trial. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Daniel York underscored the relevance of the Apache, stating that the demonstration confirmed the platform’s ability to adapt to evolving threats while maintaining its decisive role in combat. Lieutenant Colonel Cusack, responsible for HELLFIRE and JAGM programs, noted that Apache aircrews have repeatedly proven the helicopter’s adaptability, stressing that the key challenge lies in sustaining investment in training and munition integration to maximize crew effectiveness and maintain tactical superiority.

The successful trial reaffirms the U.S. Army AH-64E Apache as more than just an attack helicopter. It is evolving into a flexible and economical counter-UAS solution, offering persistent coverage and rapid reaction capabilities. For ground commanders, this means a critical enhancement to force protection, denial of adversary airspace, and sustained dominance in highly contested environments where drones increasingly shape the battlefield.