Participating in Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) 'Exercise Wallaby 2015' include a pair of Boeing CH-47SD Chinook, five Boeing AH-64D Apache and six Aerospatiale AS-332M1 Super Puma helicopters, aswell as six General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16D Block 52+ Fighting Falcon's, and a lone Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft.
In this post, we take a quick look at the Apache Longbow attack helicopter.
Partially stripped, the five Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters - serialled 059, 060, 062, 066 and 067 - were transported to Rockhampton from Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore aboard Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100 UR-82029 in late September.
After reassembly, the Apache's took to the skies a few days later and will regularly fly between the beef capital and Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) for the duration of 'Exercise Wallaby 2015'.
Operated by 120th Squadron at Sembawang Air Base, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) currently maintains a modest fleet of 20 Apache helicopters (among other types of military choppers) with their primary role being 'Anti-Armour and Ground Support'. Armament include AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets and a single 30mm M320 chain gun.
Over the years, the Apache has been built by a number of manufactuers :
Hughes Helicopters (1975 to 1984)
McDonnell Douglas (1984 to 1997)
Boeing Defence, Space and Security (1997 to present)
and under license in the United Kingdom (UK) as the AgustaWestland Apache.
