The Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a crew of two. It features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems. It is armed with a 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 chain gun carried between the main landing gear, under the aircraft's forward fuselage, and four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons for carrying armament and stores, typically a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Hydra 70 rocket pods. The AH-64 has significant systems redundancy to improve combat survivability.
Boeing has announced a new Modernized Apache attack helicopter concept that builds off the V6 subvariant of the AH-64E Apache Guardian. What’s most immediately eye-catching is the additional hardpoint under each of its two stub wings, giving it six in total, under which it can carry directed-energy weapons and air-launched drones, among other stores. The company says the next-generation Apache design will also feature powertrain improvements for increased speed and range, improved sensor fusion capabilities and greater general situational awareness, and other upgrades.

The Modernized Apache’s unveiling comes as the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) kicks off its main annual convention and trade show in Washington, D.C., today. The U.S. Army is currently pushing ahead with a major modernization effort, called Future Vertical Lift (FVL), which aims to acquire a number of different next-generation rotary-wing aircraft, including a new armed scout helicopter. However, the Army expects to continue operating various existing types, including hundreds of Apaches, for at least another 25 to 30 years.

the upgrade contains:
1. Drivetrain upgrades to unlock Improved Turbine Engine (ITE) capabilities for enhanced power, range, efficiency and speed

1. A Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for maximum interoperability, and faster integration and fielding of advanced capabilities

2. Advanced mission systems to increase interoperability to the network and to reduce pilot cognitive strain and workload during operations

3. Advanced sensors and sensor fusion for better and more resilient connectivity across domains and operations in all environmental conditions

4. Airborne long-range precision munitions, Air Launched Effects (ALE) and potential future directed energy weapon system integration for increased lethality

5. Advanced sustainment through a more capable and lower life cycle cost airframe, as well as affordable remanufacture and minimized procurement costs