Army Successfully Deploys Altius-700 Drone from Apache Helicopter in Under Six Months

U.S. Army Successfully Launches Altius-700 Drone from Apache Helicopter

The U.S. Army has achieved a significant milestone by launching an autonomous strike drone from a moving Apache attack helicopter in under six months. This demonstration took place on February 26 at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, utilizing the Anduril Altius-700 drone launched from a Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian. The Army’s Capability Program Executive Office for Aviation announced this achievement on March 26.

The timeline from requirement to demonstration is noteworthy, especially considering a 43-day government shutdown occurred during the development and installation phases.

Details of the Demonstration

During the demonstration, the Altius-700 was launched twice: once from a hover and once while the Apache was in forward flight. The latter scenario is crucial for combat realism, as helicopters typically do not remain stationary during engagements. This validation of launch during forward motion distinguishes the test from standard lab results.

The test was part of the Cross Domain Fires Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment, organized by the Army’s Aviation Future Capability Directorate. The experiment aims to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems in contested environments, which are anticipated to be critical in future military conflicts.

About the Altius-700 Drone

The Altius-700 is a tube-launched autonomous system designed for compact storage and rapid deployment. It features wings and tail surfaces that deploy immediately after launch and can be recovered via belly landing on flat terrain. The drone’s baseline configuration supports various modular payloads for surveillance, signals intelligence, electronic warfare, and communications relay.

Key specifications include:

• Endurance: Up to five hours for the non-kinetic variant.
• Range: Approximately 286 miles in medium-range configuration.
• Kinetic variant (Altius-700M): Carries a 33-pound warhead, comparable to an AGM-114 Hellfire missile, optimized for armored targets.
• Range and endurance for the kinetic variant: Roughly 100 miles and 75 minutes.

The Altius family has previously demonstrated its capabilities, including reconnaissance data transmission over 37 miles from a modified UH-60 Black Hawk in 2020.

Apache Helicopter Specifications

The AH-64E Apache Guardian is the latest and most advanced variant of the Apache helicopter, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. Army aviation for over four decades. It has accumulated over 5.3 million flight hours, with more than 1.3 million in combat. The Apache is expected to remain in production into the 2030s and in service beyond 2060.

Key features of the AH-64E include:

• Engines: Two General Electric T700-701D turboshaft engines, each producing 2,000 shaft horsepower.
• Maximum speed: 189 mph.
• Combat range: 300 miles.
• Armament: Capable of carrying up to 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 Hydra 70 rockets, and 1,200 rounds of 30mm cannon ammunition.

The Apache’s ability to control unmanned platforms in flight has been previously demonstrated, and the integration of the Altius drone enhances its operational capabilities by allowing the helicopter to engage threats from a safer distance.

Conclusion

The recent demonstration by the U.S. Army highlights a significant advancement in attack aviation capabilities. The integration of the Altius-700 drone with the Apache helicopter represents a shift in military strategy, allowing for the projection of lethal capabilities while minimizing risk to crewed aircraft. This development aligns with lessons learned from ongoing conflicts and reflects the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Photo credits: U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Anduril, DVIDS.