The usage of drones in the field of combat seems new, but Apaches have been working with unmanned aircraft during reconnaissance tasks and direct clashes since the mediate of the first decade of our century," says TJ Jamison, manager of Business improvement for Assault chopper Programs at Boeing. “The Armed Poland” talks about the possibilities of AH-64 and praises Chinooks, who complement them in operations.
AH-64 Apache. photograph 18 DZ
TJ Jamison has been active with Boeing for 8 years. As he says, on AH-64 Apache helicopters, CH-47 Chinook and MH-6 small Birds know not only as a theorist but above all as experienced practices. I was a military pilot for 29 years. I flew, fought and commanded Apache and Chinook formations. I took part, among others, in a mission in Afghanistan, where I had the honour to support Polish soldiers from Task Force White Eagle in Ghazni," Jamison says.
We are discussing plans of the company at the global Defence manufacture Exhibition in Kielce with the manager of Attack Programs at Boeing. First, Jamison emphasizes that he must correct the information appearing in the media space as if the US Army began to quit maintaining and buying fresh Apaches. As he says, this misconception stems from misreading the modernization plans contained in the ATI (Army Transformation Initiative). – The American Army does not quit AH-64 and does not reduce their numbers. Older Delta (AH-64D) copies are withdrawn to modernize the full fleet to the Echo (AH-64E) version and standardize it for operation and further modernization. This solution is logical and economic," explains the manager from Boeing.
– Air cavalry squadrons, which formerly utilized Kiowa Warrior helicopters, were to receive a fresh reconnaissance and assault ship from the FARA (Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft) program. After the cancellation of FARA in 2024, Apache helicopters played the function of a temporary solution in these squadrons. After erasing squadron programs and transferring reconnaissance missions to ground units supported by unmanned squadrons, these squadrons began to be extinguished on a planned basis," explains Jamison, noting that the "temporary" Apache from the disbanded squadrons are being transferred to Attack Battalion, the primary operational units of the air force in the US Army. – Where the battalion in the division had previously counted 24 Apache helicopters, its number is increased to 30 machines. As a result, both the number and the firepower of AH-64 in the divisional support battalions are increasing," he adds.
New generation helicopters
The modernized Apache chopper fleet in the US Army is to be based on the latest version of AH-64E. – We are presently finishing the air tests version 6.5. A key novelty of this model is the ability to rapidly upload and integrate fresh technologies by updating the software, alternatively of performing costly and time-consuming modifications at the factory. This will make it easy to add to the strategy both the solutions already known and the technologies that will arise in the future," explains Jamison. A veteran pilot, speaking of another key advantages of AH-64E, lists 4 elements: a fire steering radar (FCR), a Link-16 data exchange system, independent TADS sensors for each crew member, and advanced interaction with unmanneds.
– FCR and the radio frequency interferometer (RFI) under it cooperate with each other. The fire control radar allows Apache to detect and engage targets outside the line of sight (NLOS). In another words, the chopper may stay hidden behind field or construction obstacles, only exposing air-to-ground radar. Radar can classify more than 200 targets, says Jamison. It explains that RFI is simply a passive sensor that captures the activation of the air defence network, which, erstwhile located, gives it precedence to mark number one. “When data packages are sent to assigned Hellfire missiles, the threat of detected air defence becomes the highest precedence during the attack,” explains the director.
TJ Jamison, manager of Business improvement of Assault chopper Programs at Boeing. photograph by Jakub Zagalski
Link-16, a fast, safe network for the exchange of military data, allows Apache's crew to communicate with another fighters (e.g. F-15, F-18, F-35) and land forces. As a result, Apache, which, as Jamison emphasizes, is the only storm chopper in the planet with a full integrated Link-16, expands its reach, utilizing sensors and another units to track targets.
– Additionally, there are independent sensors in the beak (TADS) and a second sensor for the second crew member, which ensures the ability to observe daytime and thermal (IR) and allows visual confirmation of targets. Another component of the AH-64E advantage is the interaction of manned and unmanned systems (manned-unmanned teaming) – explains TJ Jamison. Although the usage of drones seems to be a novelty widespread through the war in Ukraine, Apache has done so much earlier. “The AH-64 chopper has been working with unmanned Shadow and MQ-1 grey Eagle not only during reconnaissance tasks, but besides in the field of kinetics, or direct clashes, since the mediate of the first decade of our century”, says the manager of business improvement of the Boeing chopper programs.
Apache vs. drones
On the basis of this experience, Boeing has developed opportunities to integrate the platform with Launched Effects, a household of drones of various sizes and tasks (recognition, impact, countering BSP, electronic combat, etc.). – These systems can be fired from Apache 6.5, Chinooks, Black Hawks and ground stations. They are utilized to act in front of the manned platform and complement its capabilities. Work is besides underway on "autonomic silt" solutions. It assumes that unmanned vehicles, acting as “loyal wingers”, will carry and launch loads," explains TJ Jamison. In the imagination of the future battlefield, Launched Effects are to first establish contact and prepare conditions on the battlefield so that manned platforms can enter a safer region and exploit the short-term "windows of tactical opportunities".
Jamison besides points out that complementary interaction between manned and unmanned platforms is crucial, peculiarly in combating drones. "This is simply a very crucial and increasingly urgent subject, as the fresh conflicts in the east show. An example is the integration of AH-64 into the Iron Dome strategy – 1 of the countries utilizing older versions of AH-64 Alpha and Delta included these helicopters in the drone defence program. many recordings can be found on the Internet, on which Apache shoots down Shahed drones and another targets utilizing a 30 mm game and ammunition with a close-up trigger," noted the veteran pilot.
At the end of August, the U.S. Army conducted fresh counter-UAS tests utilizing Apache helicopters armed with a 30 mm cannon with ammunition with a proximity fuse, Hellfire missiles with a proximity fuse and APKWS guided 70 mm caliber APKWS missiles with laser guidance system. – All 3 types of weapons have been tested in the function of means to combat unmanned vehicles. The key to the success of these tests is radar fire control. In addition to air-ground mode, radar besides has air-to-air and sea modes. In air mode, it is he who detects drones and allows Apache to track them and destruct them. It is the radar that determines the effectiveness of these activities," TJ Jamison points out.
Waiting for AH-64E
Apache helicopters appeared in Polish armed forces 3 months ago under a leasing agreement that assumes the supply of 8 AH-64s in the older Delta version with training and logistics package. 4 helicopters are already utilized to train pilots and ground personnel in the 56th Air Base of the 1st Air Force in Inowrocław, another 4 will arrive there by the end of the year. But leasing these machines is simply a bridge solution to prepare Polish soldiers to take over 96 Apache AH-64E from 2028 to 2032.
– Many people ask why Poland just bought 96 Apache helicopters. This decision is mostly based on the model of the American Army. If we look at the structure of the attack battalion in the US Army, this number is correct. It makes sense both in tactical terms in the field of combat, as well as in the context of logistics and support for operation, says Jamison. It reminds us that more than 1.3 1000 have been flying around the world. Apaches in 18 countries, and draws attention to the interoperability capabilities of AH-64 users. – If the American Apache lands at the Polish refueling and weapons point, everyone knows how to handle it. Conversely, Poland will besides be able to usage the U.S. Army support structure. Large American operations bring crucial logistical resources. With the industrial support package attached to this sale, Poland will besides be able to repair at the level of DEPOT and keep reviews at the Łódź WZL-1 plant, which will let not only to operate Polish Apache but besides to support helicopters of another NATO members," TJ Jamison points out.
CH-47 Chinook during exercises at Fort Sill, 6 September 2025 Sgt. Haden Tolbert/ Oklahoma National Guard
The DEPOT refers to comprehensive repairs and inspections of full systems or large components which cannot be repaired in field or unit workshops. This is the highest level of maintenance of military equipment. “So far, specified opportunities have seldom been made available outside the US. Poland will be 1 of the fewer users in the planet with this ability. This benefits not only Polish Apaches, but besides the armed forces of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the U.S. Army and future users of AH-64 in NATO," says the manager of Boeing.
Chinooks for Poland?
A typical of the company assures that the start of AH-64E supplies for the Polish army is simply a precedence and everything takes place as planned. TJ Jamison thinks the best supplement for AH-64 would be dense CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. – We are ready to start work on the supply of Chinooks to Poland as shortly as the Polish government formally submits specified a requirement. This has not yet been formally confirmed, but we anticipate this, and we are ready to support Poland's needs immediately after their authoritative notification – says Jamison. He adds that thanks to CH-47 AH-64 helicopters can operate on larger ranges and operating fields. – Chinook provides mobile, air-based refueling and refurbishment points. Experience from Ukraine shows that static supply stations are very susceptible to destruction. Portable spots on Chinooks, which can decision quickly, importantly increase Apache's "survivability" and importantly grow their operational reach, explains erstwhile U.S. chopper pilot.
Twenty countries worldwide usage a full of 950 Chinooks. Currently, the company produces and supplies a version of Block 2 for the U.S. Army, but among possible customers are besides the armed forces of Britain or Germany. Block version 2 among others increases the power margin of the chopper by about 10%, has a importantly reinforced hull plan and a higher level of autonomy of certain systems.
Will Poland buy Chinooki and erstwhile could it receive it? – We are ready to deliver as many helicopters as the user will require. I do not know the exact requirements yet, but it can be assumed that this number will be divisible by four, corresponding to the number of divisions in the Polish army – says TJ Jamison, ensuring that there is simply a place for Polish Chinooks on the production line in Philadelphia, and the time needed for implementation usually amounts to three–four years. It depends on how rapidly the FMS (Foreign Military Sales) procedure would proceed, under which the US sells military equipment to allied states and erstwhile the order will become official. On 25 September, at the gathering of the Parliamentary Subcommittee on the Polish defence manufacture and the method modernization of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, representatives of the army assured that Polish military plans to get dense transport helicopters. However, no particulars were given concerning the possible procurement.
![Gen. Stańczyk: Nie ma problemu z „betonozą" w WOT [WYWIAD]](https://cdn.defence24.pl/2025/10/31/1200xpx/bxTfpky8qCc4BDnyq1QKhhagwfSUUNBlmpCXIl5C.6dqf.jpg)
