The US Army is training Apache attack helicopter crews to intercept drones, but the aircraft already faces a major limitation: Russia’s jet-powered Geran-4 flies too fast for an Apache to catch. The New York Times highlighted this problem in a report from American military exercises in Germany.
At the Grafenwoehr training ground in Bavaria, crews from the 2nd Attack Battalion of the 159th Aviation Regiment practiced intercepting UAVs during the Skyfall 2 drills. Their targets were propeller-driven Outlaw drones with a wingspan of 3.3 meters, comparable to Russian and Iranian long-range unmanned aircraft.
The exercise required Apache pilots to take on a role far removed from their traditional mission. Originally designed to destroy tanks and armored vehicles, these helicopters must now adapt to a battlefield transformed by drones. Fighting in Ukraine has demonstrated how unmanned aircraft can push conventional military equipment out of areas where it once operated.
The American crews achieved notable results during the drills. Although they used 30mm training rounds rather than live ammunition, one team successfully destroyed all four drones launched during its sortie. Pilot Jarrad Walter said using combat ammunition would have made the interceptions considerably easier.
Deploying Apaches against UAVs also offers a financial advantage. Lieutenant Colonel John Verweil explained that the helicopters' 30mm cannons allow troops to counter large-scale drone attacks with relatively inexpensive ammunition. Nevertheless, US military officials regard Apaches as just one element of a broader counter-drone defense system rather than a complete solution.
The greatest obstacle is the rapid evolution of unmanned aircraft. Chief Warrant Officer Cody Schoonover, a senior gunnery instructor, acknowledged that Apache helicopters cannot exceed the speed limitations of rotary-wing aircraft. As a result, they are unable to catch advanced jet-powered drones such as Russia’s latest Geran-4.
Moreover, UAVs have become a direct threat to the helicopters themselves. According to the NYT, an Iranian Shahed shot down an Apache over the Strait of Hormuz in June. Experts remain divided over whether the drone carried advanced targeting technology or the two aircraft collided accidentally. Both pilots survived and were rescued by a remotely operated US Navy drone.
The conflict in Ukraine has also forced American forces to reconsider how attack helicopters should operate. In Iraq and Afghanistan, Apache crews could remain over combat areas for hours. Chief Warrant Officer Michael Weiskopf explained that such tactics are no longer viable. Helicopters must now approach their targets undetected, strike quickly and withdraw instead of remaining near the front line.