AH-64E Apache Helicopter Meets All Transportability Requirements
By Belinda Bazinet, Apache Helicopter Project Office
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala--In a major milestone for Army expeditionary mobility, the Apache Project Management (PM) Transportability Team has validated a prototype lifting sling for the AH-64E Apache helicopter, clearing the final transportability requirement outlined in the aircraft’s Capability Production Document (CPD).
The validation exercise, conducted at Fort Hood, Texas, confirms that the AH-64E can be safely and efficiently loaded and unloaded from cargo ships via Lift-On/Lift-Off (LOLO) operations while configured with its main rotor blades folded. Industry partner ASRC Federal engineered and developed the specialized sling hardware.
Deploying the AH-64E Apache quickly and affordably is a logistics priority that reinforces the aircraft's firepower, networking, and combat survivability. The CPD establishes benchmarks for strategic transportability across land, air, and sea. With the successful hoist testing and validation of the ASRC Federal prototype sling, the program office satisfied the final sea-deployment metric mandated in the CPD.
The test team performed multiple load tests, balance assessments, and rigging procedures to ensure crews can safely lift the aircraft using standard harbor and shipboard cranes without risking structural stress or damage to sensitive avionics and blade mechanisms.
The initial prototype test involved lifting and hanging for several minutes. Then the crane moved the aircraft at an angle to capture movement load data before returning it to its starting position. While formal test results remain under review, the team identified the need for protective padding to prevent the hoisting cable from contacting the main rotor blades as it routes aft toward the tail section. Moving forward, the team will focus on validating these adjustments prior to manufacturing and delivering the five contracted production prototypes.
Operationally, validating the lifting sling dramatically expands maritime access. Previously, maritime deployment often depended on Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) vessels or specialized dock facilities with ramps capable of supporting towed aircraft.
By certifying the folded-blade LOLO hoist procedure, the Army can now load and unload Apache helicopters at many more additional seaports across the globe. This flexibility provides more entry pathways, mitigating transit bottlenecks in contested regions and allows rotary-wing assets to arrive closer to forward assembly areas.
The capability also lowers vessel charter costs and charter availability. Hoisting the aircraft with main rotor blades folded minimizes deck and hold footprints, enabling more aircraft or accompanying sustainment gear to fit into a single vessel.
To complete the contract, PM Apache will validate the necessary changes and then produce and deliver five prototypes.
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