The U.S. Army Apache attack helicopters in Alaska are getting skis for coping with the weather conditions.
The presence of Apache helicopters in Alaska is relatively new. The Pentagon decided to replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout helicopter fleet with upgraded Apache helicopters, including unmanned aircraft, in areas such as Alaska.
Reports suggest that the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, which is based in Fort Wainwright, is the first Army Apache unit to receive skis. The U.S. Army is now planning on training for the Apache force that will allow pilots to fly and fight with the aircraft with skis attached.
The Apache force will have to be prepared for temperature as low as 20 degrees below zero for many days at a stretch.
"We're just like any other attack battalion in the Army, and we can deploy anywhere in the world," says Lt. Col. Jaysen Yochim, the commander of 1st Battalion. "But the terrain and temperatures here are unique, and we're really up here to be part of the Army's subject matter experts on how you operate in the Arctic."
The skis on Apache may be new but skis on helicopters are nothing new for the U.S. Army, who are aware of its benefits. The addition to the Apache helicopter will help in distributing the aircraft's weight over a broader area when compared to wheels. The skis will also prevent the Apache from skidding will allow Apaches to land on marshy areas.
The skis will add a total weight of 400 pounds to the helicopter, which will be nearly unnoticeable for pilots. The choppers will still have wheels on them coming out of a small slot made in the skis. The wheels will allow the aircraft to taxi in areas where skis are not needed.
The Apache plays an important role in the U.S. Army. It is the primary attack helicopter in the Army. It can carry 16 Hellfire laser-designated missiles and is designed for fighting close to enemies. A two-member crew mans the aircraft.
While the U.S. Army has operated other choppers such as Chinooks and Black Hawks in Alaska, the Apache is by far the most complex helicopter used in the region.
Photo : Paul Friel | Flickr
