Maximum Impact: Apache 30mm Gunnery with the 10th Mountain Division

In the heart of Fort Drum, New York, the thunderous roar of the AH-64 Apache’s 30mm chain gun echoed across the range, symbolizing the Army’s commitment to innovation and readiness. This live-fire exercise conducted by 1st Battalion, 10th Attack Battalion, which is part of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, brought together gunnery experts and design engineers to evaluate the Apache’s capabilities and ensure its continued dominance in future conflicts.

This event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between operational units and the engineering community, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Apache platform and ensuring its readiness for the Army’s transformation into a force prepared for future conflicts.

Precision and Power: The Apache’s 30mm Chain Gun

The Apache AH-64E is the Army’s premier Attack Helicopter and a vital component in every Attack Battalion resident in each Combat Aviation Brigade renowned for its versatility and lethality. The Apache employs a M230 Area Weapon System which is a 30mm chain gun designed for high-rate, precision fire, capable of engaging a wide array of targets with devastating accuracy and adaptability in both close combat and standoff engagements. During the live-fire exercises, engineers and gunnery experts witnessed the weapon’s performance against simulated enemy targets, including armored vehicles and fortified positions. The day and night firing scenarios provided critical insights into the gun’s effectiveness under diverse operational conditions.

Collaboration in Action

This event was more than a demonstration of firepower—it was a critical opportunity for collaboration, where operational insights and engineering expertise converged to shape the future of the Apache platform. Munition design engineers from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center and project officers from Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A) from Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey engaged closely with Apache crews and gunnery experts to gain valuable, firsthand feedback from Apache pilots, armaments personnel, Apache crew chiefs, and range safety personnel regarding the employment of 30mm munitions around gun’s accuracy, reliability, and integration with advanced targeting systems.

“Early collaboration between engineers and soldiers is critical to ensuring that designs are not only innovative but also practical and effective in real-world operations. By integrating feedback from the field, we can create solutions that directly address the needs of the warfighter and enhance mission success,” said Jacks George, Project Officer supporting Product Manager Medium Caliber Ammunition.

Shaping the Future of Ammunition

A key focus of the event was the development of the XM1225 Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) - the first major advancement in ammunition for the Apache’s 30mm chain gun in over 30 years. This next-generation munition represents a leap forward in lethality and adaptability, addressing both traditional ground targets and emerging threats like small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). Project officers and design engineers showcased the DEVCOM Armaments Center developed the XM1225 Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) munition – a non-programmable proximity detonation round designed to enhance lethality against ground targets but also effectively counter emerging threats, such as small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS).

Importantly, the XM1225 APEX is designed for seamless integration with the existing Apache M230 Area Weapon System and its fire control systems, ensuring minimal modification requirements. This compatibility underscores the Army’s commitment to cost-effective modernization while maintaining operational readiness. By leveraging advanced munitions like the XM1225 APEX, the Apache platform is poised to remain a critical asset in multi-domain operations, capable of addressing both current and future threats with precision and efficiency.

Supporting Army Transformation

The collaboration at Fort Drum exemplifies the Army’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. By bringing together operational units and the engineering community, the Army is ensuring that its weapon systems remain at the cutting edge of technology. The insights gained from the live-fire exercises will inform future upgrades to the Apache platform, aligning with the Army’s vision for transformation and readiness in an era of multi-domain operations.

“The future of munitions depends less on the singular design and more on the conversation between the end users and the developers as rigorous collaboration is critical to the success of aviation and the lethality of each AH64 aircrew in everyday operations,” said Nicholas Smith Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aviation from 1-10 AB, Fort Drum.

Bridging Soldiers and Engineers

The Warfighter Ammunition Information Program (WAIP) within JPEO AA played a pivotal role in this event, enabling direct interaction between aviation units and the engineering community. WAIP events provide Product Managers with access to aviation units, facilitating direct feedback from soldiers to project officers and engineers. This feedback loop is instrumental in shaping ammunition acquisition programs, such as the XM1225 APEX, by ensuring that soldier experiences and operational needs are integrated into the development lifecycle.

The WAIP’s approach of embedding subject matter experts in field environments serves as a model for future modernization efforts, ensuring that the Army’s technological advancements are directly informed by the needs and experiences of its soldiers. This collaboration ensures alignment between the Army’s modernization goals and the practical realities faced by warfighters.

A Shared Vision for Excellence

The partnership between the 10th Mountain Division, Apache crews, project officers and munition design engineers underscore the importance of teamwork in achieving the Army’s goals. Events like these not only enhance the capabilities of individual weapon systems but also strengthen the bonds between the operational and technical communities. Together, they are shaping the future of Army aviation and ensuring that the Apache remains a formidable asset in the fight against adversaries.

As the sun set over Fort Drum and the Apache’s 30mm chain gun lit up the night sky, it was clear that this collaboration was more than just a test of firepower—it was a testament to the Army’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and readiness for the challenges of tomorrow.

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About the Author: Jacks George is an electrical engineer with DEVCOM Armaments Center, matrixed to the Product Manager for Medium Caliber Ammunition as the project officer for the XM1225 APEX program.