This book examines the design, development and deployment of the Boeing (McDonnell Douglas, formerly Hughes) AH-64A Apache - the US Army's primary attack helicopter, and the most advanced helicopter gunship flying today. It was the most expensive rotary-winged aircraft ever built when it was introduced in the early 1980s, but it has since proved its worth on battlefields all over the world, including action in the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and the recent conflict in Iraq. It is a quick-reacting, airborne weapon system that can fight close and deep to destroy, disrupt or delay enemy forces. The Apache is designed to fight and survive during the day, night and in adverse weather anywhere, at any time.