Army Air Corps takes delivery of three brand new Apache E-model attack helicopters

Three brand-new deadly Apache attack helicopters have been delivered to the British Army after being flown into Britain by the United States Air Force.

British soldiers from Wattisham Flying Station were pictured unloading the latest batch of the AH-64E model off a USAF C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

The latest Apache E- models, which have a top speed of 186mph, were delivered already painted with British roundels.

• Army tests out its new 'battle-winning' Apache attack helicopter over the Highlands
• British Army's new E model Apache attack helicopter declared operational
• Australian and British Army join forces to get hands-on with UK's AH-64E Apache fleet

According to the aircraft's manufacturer Boeing, the AH-64E will be in production until at least 2028 and will likely serve the US Army and its partner nations as the world's primary attack helicopter into the 2060s.

Apache AH-64E

The British Army has previously referred to the Apache attack helicopter as "probably the most sophisticated piece of equipment in the world available to frontline troops".

It is designed to find and destroy air defence units, tanks and armoured vehicles, and is capable of a wide range of battlefield tasks.

The AH-64E Apache Guardian is equipped with additional sensors and communications to increase its reconnaissance capabilities. It can also control uncrewed aerial vehicles.

Last year, Apache helicopters from 3 Army Air Corps were sent to Scotland to test the latest model of the aircraft.

The exercise tested the crew's ability to operate the new model effectively over challenging terrain.

The helicopter's iconic Longbow radar, located above the main rotor blades, allows the Apache to detect and classify up to 256 potential targets, show 128 of them to the crew and prioritise the top 16 threats in a matter of seconds.

As well as the impressive radar, Apaches carry an array of weapons, including a 30mm chain gun, 70mm rockets and Hellfire missiles to provide choice and flexibility.

It can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 Hydra 70 rockets and 1,200 rounds of cannon ammunition.

The Apache helicopter has been in service with the British Army since 2005 and has proved its worth – most notably in the war in Afghanistan.

Famously, in 2007 four heroic Royal Marines were pictured rescuing a fallen comrade in Afghanistan – strapped to the wings of two Apache helicopters.