US Army Demos Apache Helicopter Counter-Drone Capabilities
The US Army’s primary tank killer helicopter, the Apache, has shown emerging capabilities in countering drone threats on the battlefield.
In the demonstration conducted with army program offices and the South Carolina Army National Guard, the Boeing-made AH-64 Apache successfully detected, tracked, and intercepted aerial targets in contested environments using various munitions.
These included the Joint Air-to-Ground missile (JAGM), Hellfire variants, as well as Hydra-70 rockets with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance that engaged three of four targets, and 30mm proximity-fused rounds.
“This was about validating our capabilities and ensuring the Apache remains a vital asset in modern combat scenarios,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Daniel York.
Additionally, this is not the first time the Apache has shown the ability to neutralize drones.
In a military training held in Saudi Arabia in October 2024, the AH-64 fired upgraded Hellfire missiles against an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) target.
Filling the C-UAS Gap
Low-cost drones deployed in droves are fast becoming a core threat in modern combat zones.
Current C-UAS capabilities are limited to ground-based platforms or costly solutions, so equipping existing mobile platforms is a quick and cost-efficient way to address these threats while specialized counter-drone platforms are still being developed.
Meanwhile, US military commanders can deploy the Apache — featuring modern sensors and tactical data link networks — to farther distances for enhanced situational awareness and use it to engage threats across a wider area.
“PM Apache’s demonstration further confirms what Army Aviators have known for years: an Apache Attack Helicopter with trained and equipped Aircrews is the most adaptable weapon system on modern battlefields,” said LTC Cusack, product manager for Hellfire and JAGM.
He noted that the main challenge lies in how much the army can dedicate to training aircrews and integrating munitions to lighten the workload.
Despite this, Apache aircrews will continue to find ways to provide early warnings to ground commanders and neutralize threats aiming to disrupt operations.
Counter-Drone Choppers
The US is not alone in integrating counter-drone capabilities into its helicopters.
The Royal Navy’s Wildcat HMA 2 helicopter fired a Marlet missile against an unmanned Banshee jet during a 2024 demonstration.
Meanwhile, the Finnish Armed Forces downed drone targets from an NH90 helicopter mounted with M134 miniguns in a military exercise in May.
