AH-64D Procedures

The following sections describe Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) that are valid only for AH-64D.

Considerations

RW attack assets provide the ability to maneuver and reposition firepower in response to changing situations. They carry a wide variety of forward firing munitions, are equipped with advanced sensors, have excellent response and loiter times, can conduct low altitude or nap of the earth ingress, attacks, and egress, and have an excellent capability to conduct CAS in diverse terrain and when accompanying other transport or rescue assets.

Consider combining FW and RW platform capabilities in an urban environment. FW can often target/designate within urban areas more easily due to the ability to loiter high above many threat envelopes. Once the FW aircraft has identified and confirmed the target it can designate the target with a LASER to guide precise, low-yield PGMs fired from a RW attack asset holding in a relatively safe BP.

Operating Altitudes

The following are altitude ranges for RW aircraft:

• High - Above 3,000 ft. AGL.
• Medium - 500 to 3,000 ft. AGL.
• Low - Below 500 ft. AGL.

Threat

In an environment where small arms and RPGs are the predominant threat, attack helicopter aircrews will normally elevate in order to stay out of the effective range of the weapons systems, usually operating at medium altitude. Specific altitudes selected will depend on the mission en route. For example, if the mission en route is to conduct visual reconnaissance, the helicopters will select the lowest altitude that will allow them to effectively use their sensors while avoiding the heart of the small-arms threat envelope.

When transiting urban areas attack helicopters may elect to transit at roof top level to minimize exposure time. In general, attack helicopters will avoid urban areas unless they are conducting an attack.

Day versus Night

Altitudes will normally vary for the same area of operations from day to nighttime, and will depend heavily on threat, weather, and terrain. In open desert, helicopters will normally decrease their altitude as lighting conditions decay in order to maintain visual reference with the ground. Over urban areas, attack helicopters can often operate more safely than during the daytime but will elevate high enough to avoid being belly-lit by cultural lighting, usually operating in the 1,500-3,000 ft. AGL block .

Capabilities

RW-assets conducts AGO (Air-Ground Operations) as the aerial maneuver force of the combined arms team, or as an independent maneuver force in support of ground forces conducting offensive, defensive or stability operations. Regardless of the type of mission performed by the ground force, most aviation operations are offensive in nature and designed to provide an asymmetric advantage. Aviation operations are most effective when assets are task organized to correctly support the higher headquarters mission.

These operations are executed through the following tactical, enabling, and sustaining tasks:

• Reconnaissance
• Security
• Movement to contact
• Attack

Tactics and Techniques

Tasks

WIP

• Reconnaissance
  • Zone
  • Area
  • Route
  • Reconnaissance in force
• Security
  • Screen
  • Guard
• Movement to contact
• Attack
  • Continous
  • Phased
  • Max Destruction

En Route

Ideally, en route tactics (route, altitude, airspeed selection, terrain flight profile, and formations) allow attack helicopter aircrews to avoid concentrations of enemy air defenses, prevent early acquisition, avoid detection or allow the attack helicopters to remain outside of the effective range of certain threat systems.

Navigation Tactics

En route navigation tactics depend on the threat, need for and availability of support aircraft, friendly air defense requirements, weather, and fuel. As aircrews approach the target area, probable point of enemy contact, or areas with a high IR SAM threat, they fly lower and with increased caution to move undetected by the enemy. Aircrews use terrain flight (TERF) to deny/degrade the enemy’s ability to detect or locate the flight visually, optically, or electronically. When flying terrain flight profiles, aircrews may maneuver laterally within a corridor or maneuver area compatible with the ground scheme of maneuver and assigned route structures. Within the corridor, aircrews can use a weaving or unpredictable path to avoid detection by the enemy.

TERF profiles fall into three categories:

• Low-level ≈ 100-200ft AGL
• Contour ≈ 50-100 ft AGL
• Nap-of-the-earth (NOE)

Low Level:

Conduct low-level flight at a constant altitude and airspeed. Low level flight reduces or avoids enemy detection or observation.

Contour:

Contour flight conforms to the contour of the earth or vegetation to conceal aircraft from enemy observation or detection. Aircrews use contour flight until reaching a higher threat area.

Nap of the Earth:

NOE flight is as close to the earth’s surface as vegetation and obstacles permit while following the earth’s contours. Terrain and vegetation provide cover and concealment from enemy observation and detection. NOE flight uses varying airspeed and altitude AGL based on the terrain, weather, ambient light, and enemy situation.

Tactical Formations

Cruise principles utilizing radius of turn and altitude to maintain or regain position apply to these formations. Separation between aircraft is dependent on the threat.

Combat Spread:

Combat Spread is maximizing firepower forward. Wing pulls abeam the 3 or 9 o’clock position of the Lead aircraft. It requires a high degree of scanning, particularly at night due to Night Vision Sensor limitations. Distance between aircraft should be based on maneuver room, visibility, terrain, and enemy. Combat Spread is not recommended when constant maneuvering is required.

Combat Cruise: (Default if not specified)

Combat Cruise is designed to allow maximum flexibility and maneuverability while retaining control and flight discipline. Combat Cruise allows Wing to fly anywhere on an arc from ten degrees forward of abeam on the left to ten degrees forward of abeam on the right. The optimum position is on the 45º bearing with four to five rotor diameters of lateral separation and level with Lead. During turns, Wing will maintain longitudinal clearance on Lead utilizing radius of turn. Upon rollout, wing will maintain optimum position to support lead. Prolonged flight in the area within 30º of the tail (blind spot) should be avoided. Wing should avoid flying forward of the 45º bearing as the flight approaches an impending turn.

If there is a need for increased control, Lead can choose to use one of the following formations:

• Trail
• Column
• Echelon

Trail:

Everyone moving in the same track usually with lead in front. Used in narrow terrain and during NOE.

+ Allows high speed, easy management and good observation to the sides.

- Limited observation and fire power to the front.

Column:

Like Trail but every other pilot flies offset to the right by 45° from the pilot infront of them. (2nd pilot 45° to the right behind lead, 4th pilot 45° to the right behind 3rd and trailing the 2nd) Used during Traveling

+ Allows high speed, easy management and good observation to the sides.

+ Allows greater opportunity for observation going forward and twice the fire power compared to Trail.

- Still limited observation and fire power to the front.

- Somewhat more demanding for the pilot to keep formation

Echelon:

Like Trail but every pilot is offset to the right/left (all to the same side) by 45°.

+ Allows equal observation/fire power to the front and sides.

+ Allows opportunity for easy transition into Combat Spread.

- Somewhat more demanding for the pilot to keep formation, especially through turns.

Ingress

Ingress tactics apply from arrival at the release point or HA until the target attack phase begins at the BP.

Aircrews select HAs and BPs that are tactically sound, support the scheme of maneuver, and are coordinated with other supporting arms.

Control

Holding Areas:

HAs may be established throughout the battlefield to be used by helicopters awaiting targets or missions. These HAs serves as informal ACAs while they are in use. HAs provide the attack helicopter aircrews an area in which to loiter. HAs may be established during planning, referred to by name or number, and activated/established during operations.

Battle Positions:

BPs are maneuver maneuvering areas containing firing points (FPs) for attack helicopters. Like HAs, BPs serve as informal ACAs while in use. Planning considerations and methods of establishment for BPs are the same as those involved in the use of HAs.

Techniques of Movement

Due to proximity to the threat, aircrews use TERF to move during ingress to the BP. If aircrews are close to friendly artillery and mortars, they use TERF in conjunction with ACMs to deconflict with artillery and mortar trajectories. Particularly when conducting terrain flight, helicopter movement must be coordinated with the applicable FC/JFSEC.

Aircrews use three techniques of movement:

• Traveling
• Traveling overwatch
• Bounding overwatch

Traveling:

Traveling is a technique that aircrews use when enemy contact is remote. The flight moves at a constant speed using low-level or contour terrain flight. Movement should be as constant as the terrain allows. Traveling allows rapid movement in relatively secure areas.

Traveling Overwatch:

Traveling overwatch is a technique that aircrews use when enemy contact is possible. The flight moves using contour or NOE terrain flight. While caution is justified, speed is desirable. The flight consists of two major elements: the main element and the overwatch element. The overwatch element may contain multiple sub elements. The main element maintains continuous forward movement. The overwatch elements move to provide visual and weapons coverage of the main element. The overwatch elements provide weapons coverage of terrain from which the enemy might fire on the main element.

Bounding Overwatch:

Bounding overwatch is a technique that aircrews use when enemy contact is imminent. The flight moves using NOE terrain flight. Movement is deliberate and speed is not essential. The flight consists of two elements. One element moves or “bounds” while the other element takes up an overwatch position. The overwatch element covers the bounding elements from covered, concealed positions that offer observation and fields of fire.

Attack (Within the BP)

Control

Once the aircrew reaches the BP, the JTAC/FAC(A) or mission commander issues final instructions to the flight. Aircrews select individual FPs and remain masked while awaiting the TOT/TTT or the order to attack.

Techniques of Attack

Specific techniques used to attack a target are the choice of the air mission commander. Choose attack tactics considering the threat, target size and vulnerability, weather, terrain, accuracy requirements, weapons effectiveness, and fragmentation patterns.

Hovering Fire:

Hovering fire is performed when the aircraft is stationary or has little forward motion. Aircrews perform hovering fire after unmasking from a defilade position or when standing off in a safe area. To prevent being targeted by enemy weapons, aircrews maintain the hovering fire position only for short periods and deliver indirect hovering fire hidden from the enemy by terrain when able. After delivering hovering fire, aircrews remask or displace. Hovering fire is the most effective profile for delivering precision guided munitions. Hovering fire may reduce the accuracy of unguided ordnance (rockets, canon/gun fire) because the aircraft can be less stable in a hover. Often, a wingman will suppress the target with rocket and gunfire while the flight lead fires PGMs to reduce the vulnerability of the flight.

Running Fire:

Running fire is performed when the aircraft is in level, forward flight. Forward flight may add stability to the aircraft and improve the accuracy of unguided ordnance. Running fire may reduce an aircrew’s vulnerability to enemy air defenses by providing a moving target and by producing a smaller signature than a hover would because of less dust and debris. While performing running fire, aircrews can use direct and indirect fire techniques. Aircrews deliver direct fire when they have an unobstructed view of the target, and indirect fire when they cannot see the target.

Diving Fire:

Diving fire is delivered while the aircraft is at altitude and in descending forward flight. If delivering unguided ordnance, diving fire may produce the most accurate results. Using diving fire, the aircrew can remain above or outside the threat envelope. Diving fire is often employed by attack helicopters operating in an overhead position. The overhead position allows the aircrew to maintain high SA, look down into urban settings, maintain a constant weapons solution, and deliver more accurate fires. The overhead pattern does leave the attack helicopters continuously exposed to enemy fire. The altitude of an overhead pattern will reduce vulnerability to small arms and RPGs but increases tracking time and reduces background clutter for an IR SAM shot. Risk versus benefit must always be weighed by the aircrews when considering the overhead pattern.

Disengagement and Egress

Following actions on the objective area or when the attack helicopters’ time on station is complete, the flight will conduct a check out and egress via planned or assigned routing. Tactical considerations for the egress and return to force in terms of airspeed, altitude, formation, and TTP are the same as for the inbound en route phase. RW attack assets may use a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) to refuel and rearm, extending their ability to provide support to the troops on the ground. When complete with the mission, the attack helicopter aircrew will make every attempt to provide BDA and a mission report (MISREP) via the ALO’s C2 system. The connectivity plan for the low altitude block will enhance the flow of information from attack helicopters to decision makers allowing for timely decisions regarding follow on sorties and support required, as well as vital information flow on the enemy and friendly force situations.

Procedures

The procedures described here aim to ensure a common view of the workflow during assignments in order to facilitate the change of staff. Pilot and CPG knows who do what and when even if it’s the first time flying together.

The order in which the steps not numbered are performed can be changed as needed.

Airfield

Startup

Pilot:

1. Connect ground power (MSTR IGN – EXT PWR) or start up the APU
2. Rearm as briefed
3. Listen to ATIS and take notes. (Wait for CPG to enter Freq.)
4. FL perform radiocheck on Intra-Flight (Wait for CPG to enter Freq)
5. Engine Startup (After CPG has received clearance from Ground)

• CMWS Setup
• Set transponder (SRS Overlay)
• Exterior Lights
  • Nav -> BRT and ANTI-COL -> WHT (Day) / RED (Night)
• MENU-Page
  • ASE

- RLWR - ON

• FLT

- QNH

• FUEL

- Auxiliary tanks transfer setup

• PERF (WIP)

- Enter current value for PA, FAT and GWT

• WPN-Page

- Boresight IHADSS

- Set Manual Range (GUN) as desired

• Personal preferred settings

- Phase/Threat Show

- MAP

- BAM

- HI/LO Altitude Warnings

CPG:

2. Enter frequency for ATIS
3. Enter Intra-Flight
4. Enter frequency for Ground/Tower
5. Request startup clearance if needed (Only FL CPG)

• COM-Page

- Enter freq. or select presets as briefed incl. “swap” if two freq’s are to be used on same radio.

• WPN-Page

- Boresight IHADSS

- LRFD/LST Channel (LRFD = own, LST = A if not briefed)

- Set frequencies on channel A-D as briefed (A=FL, B-D= wingman 2-4)

- Set Manual Range (GUN) as desired

- Laser - ARM

• TSD-Page

- Create/Edit Points and Route as briefed

- Set up Battle Areas as briefed

- PFZ

- NFZ

• Personal preferred settings

- Phase/Threat Show

- MAP

- BAM

- Etc.

Taxi / Takeoff

Pilot:

2. Taxi (If taxiing is needed this is done on the ground)

4. Hover power check
1. HOVER Q INDICATED = REQUIRED IGE
2. HOVER Q INDICATED < GO-NO/GO OGE
5. Takeoff
1. VMC Takeoff
2. VMC Level Acceleration (Default if not specified)
3. VMC Minimum Power Takeoff
4. Rolling Takeoff

CPG:

1. Request clearance and taxi if necessary (Only FL CPG)

3. Request takeoff (Only FL CPG)

6. Check in with control/AWACS as briefed (Only FL CPG)

Landing

Pilot:

3. Land as briefed or instructed by Tower
1. VMC Approach to a Hover (Default if not specified)
2. Rolling Landing

5. Taxi to parking (If taxiing is needed this is done on the ground)

CPG:

1. Check-In with Control/Tower (Only FL CPG)
2. Perform Approach/Landing Check

- Wind

- Hazards

- Power required/available

- Etc.

4. Request taxi to parking if necessary (Only FL CPG)

Tactical Formations

Combat Spread:

When entering combat spread, Lead should call out the attack heading (or point of breakthrough) and speed in order to make it easier for wing to keep the formation.

Combat Cruise: (Default if not specified)

Trail:

Column:

Echelon: