Deadly Combination: Integration of the AH-64D M-TADS and High Altitude Tactics on the Modern Urban Battlefield

摘要

The Army Attack community must continue efforts to standardize high- altitude tactics (HAT) into our Aircrew Training Program to properly integrate the recent concepts and lessons learned. The staggering achievements experienced when employing the Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight (M-TADS) in combination with HAT are all the evidence needed to take particular note and standardize this deadly combination. Senior leaders (Commissioned and Warrant Officer) will need continual exposure to these jaw- dropping concepts and success stories. Surprisingly, even in the tightly knit Apache Longbow community, the recent exploits of the M-TADS are mythical and some of the claims deemed unbelievable. However, the strides currently being made in the Army's DES coupled with the support of some key influential decision makers are already beginning to modernize our communities' view on the M-TADS HAT combination. This progress will certainly enable further advancements and developments in risk mitigation to improve aircrew survivability. Additionally, with more pilots flying the M-TADS in conjunction with HAT daily, the amount of intelligence gathered to capitalize on exploiting the now visible weaknesses of our insurgent enemies will only improve the future of our tactics and community.