Aircraft & UAVs

AH-64A Peten attack helicopter

Also known as
  • Peten
  • AH-64A Peten
  • AH-64Ai
  • AH-64A+
  • Israeli AH-64A
  • AH-64A Apache
  • Boeing AH-64 Apache

The AH-64A Peten is the Israeli Air Force's first-generation Apache attack helicopter, adapted from the U.S.-built AH-64A and kept in service alongside later Saraph aircraft. Israeli sources place the first Peten arrivals at Ramon Air Base in 1990, while open reporting documents Israeli Apache use in Lebanon, Gaza, and 190 Squadron response sorties during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

AH-64A Peten attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Wikimedia Hatzerim 2013 Peten

Role in Conflicts

2008 Gaza War
Fire SupportInterdiction
Side
Israel

Israeli AH-64 Apaches were part of the airpower package used in Operation Cast Lead, with published postwar reporting listing AH-64 attack helicopters among the aircraft employed over Gaza.

Israeli Service Notes

The Peten page is strongest when read as an Israeli AH-64A service record: first deliveries in 1990, later AH-64Ai/AH-64A+ upgrade work, and continued frontline use by 190 Squadron alongside newer Saraph aircraft.

TopicDetailSource
Israeli nameThe Israeli Air Force identifies the Apache in service as Peten and separately uses Saraph for the AH-64D fleet.IAF Helicopters
First arrivalThe first advanced Peten helicopters arrived at Ramon Air Base on September 11, 1990.IAF Behind the Apache
Upgrade pathOpen-source reporting describes AH-64Ai/AH-64A+ work that kept AH-64A airframes useful with Israeli avionics, communications, self-protection, and external electronics-pod changes.Defense Industry Daily Israeli Apache upgrades; TWZ Israeli AH-64A belly pod
Operational squadron190 "Magic Touch" Squadron flew AH-64A Peten helicopters from Ramon Air Base during the 2023 Gaza war response.TWZ October 7 Apache missions
Documented wartime useDirect sources place Israeli Apaches in the 2006 Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009, and Gaza operations after October 7, 2023.The Aviationist AH-64 Peten flares; Israeli Arsenal Deployed against Gaza; Reuters Apache rocket over Gaza
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Attack helicopter
Designed
1970s
Produced
1984-present for the Apache family; Israeli Peten deliveries began in 1990.

Specifications

Crew
2
Length
48.2 feet (14.7 meters)
Rotor diameter
48 feet (14.6 meters)
Maximum operating weight
23,000 pounds (10,433 kilograms)
Maximum level flight speed
150+ knots (279+ kph)
Ordnance
16 HELLFIRE missiles, 76 2.75-inch rockets, and 1,200 30 mm chain gun rounds
Israeli upgrade notes
AH-64Ai/AH-64A+ reporting describes local avionics, communications, self-protection, and under-fuselage electronics-pod changes on upgraded Peten airframes.
Variants

Israeli Apache naming separates the AH-64A Peten from the AH-64D Saraph, while open sources also describe an upgraded AH-64Ai/AH-64A+ Peten configuration with local avionics and self-protection changes.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterParent Apache family

The broader Apache record covers the U.S.-origin AH-64 family across multiple operators and later variants.

Sources: Boeing AH-64 Apache

AH-64Ai / AH-64A+ PetenIsraeli upgraded AH-64A

Defense Industry Daily and TWZ describe Israeli AH-64A upgrade work, including a locally visible under-fuselage avionics pod on some Peten airframes.

Sources: Defense Industry Daily Israeli Apache upgrades, TWZ Israeli AH-64A belly pod

AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64D Saraph attack helicopterIsraeli AH-64D Longbow

The Israeli Air Force uses Saraph for its AH-64D Apache Longbow aircraft, distinguishing them from the earlier Peten fleet.

Sources: IAF Helicopters

Documented Ordnance

Boeing's Apache page lists the main ordnance families carried by the AH-64 line, including the weapon loadout used on Peten airframes.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyGuided missile family

The Israeli Air Force's Peten page says the AH-64A Peten can carry up to 16 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, confirming the helicopter as a carrier for the AGM-114 family.

Sources: Boeing AH-64 Apache, Helicopters - The Israeli Air Force

Hydra-70 rocket system, 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsHydra-70 rocket systemRocket system

Boeing lists 76 2.75-inch rockets among the Apache's ordnance, confirming the helicopter carries the Hydra-70 family for area fire.

Sources: Boeing AH-64 Apache

M230 30 mm chain gun, 30 mm autocannon, Aircraft & UAVsM230 30 mm chain gun30 mm chain gun

Boeing lists 1,200 30 mm chain gun rounds and a 600-650 rounds-per-minute rate of fire for the Apache's M230 cannon.

Sources: Boeing AH-64 Apache

Timeline

AH-64A Peten attack helicopter Key Events

  1. First Peten helicopters arrive at Ramon

    The Israeli Air Force says the first advanced Peten helicopters arrived at Ramon Air Base on September 11, 1990.

    Sources: IAF Behind the Apache

  2. Apaches documented in Lebanon strikes

    The Aviationist identified Israeli AH-64A and AH-64D aircraft as involved in the Lebanon campaign before their later Operation Cast Lead use.

    Sources: The Aviationist AH-64 Peten flares

  3. Apache attack helicopters used in Operation Cast Lead

    Palestine Studies reporting on the Israeli arsenal used in Operation Cast Lead listed AH-64 Apache attack helicopters among Israeli aircraft employed over Gaza.

    Sources: Israeli Arsenal Deployed against Gaza

  4. Peten self-protection fit photographed

    The Aviationist published imagery and context for an Israeli AH-64A Peten releasing flares, noting Israeli AH-64A and AH-64D participation in earlier Lebanon and Gaza campaigns.

    Sources: The Aviationist AH-64 Peten flares

  5. 190 Squadron Petens join the October 7 response

    TWZ reported that 190 Squadron's AH-64A Peten crews were among the Israeli attack-helicopter units racing to respond to the Hamas attack.

    Sources: TWZ October 7 Apache missions

  6. Reuters documents a rocket strike over Gaza

    Reuters Connect documented an Israeli military Apache firing a rocket while flying over Gaza on November 20, 2023.

    Sources: Reuters Apache rocket over Gaza

Media

AH-64A Peten attack helicopter Images

AH-64A Peten attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Wikimedia AH-64Ai Peten 2017
AH-64A Peten attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Wikimedia AH-64Apache003
Related Weapon Systems
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64 Apache is a U.S. twin-engine attack helicopter family designed by Hughes Helicopters and continued through McDonnell Douglas and Boeing production. Built around a two-person crew, nose-mounted sensors, a 30 mm chain gun, rockets, and guided missiles, it has direct source-backed combat use from Desert Storm and Iraq to Afghanistan, Sinai, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, anti-ISIS operations, and recent U.S. operations against Iran.
AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64E Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64E Apache is Boeing's Echo-model Apache variant, developed from the AH-64D Block III remanufacture program and built around improved engines, sensors, networking, and a two-person attack-helicopter weapons station. Direct source-backed conflict records place AH-64E aircraft with U.S. Army units in Operation Inherent Resolve, the 2001 War in Afghanistan's Operation Freedom's Sentinel phase, and Operation Epic Fury during the 2020 United States-Iran Conflict.
M230 30 mm chain gun, 30 mm autocannon, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsM230 30 mm chain gun30 mm autocannonThe M230 30 mm chain gun is an externally powered 30x113 mm autocannon built around Apache helicopter fire support, later adapted into M230LF and XM914 ground counter-UAS variants. Northrop Grumman describes the aviation M230 as the original medium-caliber Chain Gun and the M230LF as a lightweight ground and sea-platform weapon; direct sources document Apache M230 fielding in Afghanistan, Iraq, Operation Inherent Resolve, Israeli Apache use in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, and M230LF-based Slinger systems ordered for Ukraine.
F-15I Ra'am, Two-seat long-range strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF-15I Ra'amTwo-seat long-range strike fighterThe F-15I Ra'am is Israel's F-15E-derived two-seat strike fighter, built in the United States with Israeli-specific avionics, communications, electronic-warfare, and helmet-sight equipment. Open-source records tie the 69th Squadron aircraft to long-range strike and interdiction roles from the 2006 Lebanon War through Gaza, Hezbollah, Red Sea/Yemen, and Iran operations, while Boeing and Israeli-reference sources describe the original 25-aircraft fleet, F100-PW-229 engines, APG-70 radar, and precision-weapon compatibility.
Unidentified Israeli turbojet-powered one-way-attack munition, One-way-attack munition, MunitionsMunitionsUnidentified Israeli turbojet-powered one-way-attack munitionOne-way-attack munitionARES tracks this provisional Israeli-origin munition as TMID-0011: a turbojet-powered one-way-attack weapon assessed as a guided UAV or loitering-munition missile. ARES says no publicly acknowledged Israeli munition closely fits the remnants, with the closest public analogue probably being the U.S. AGM-190 Black Arrow. Open-source reporting places it in Gaza during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, in Lebanon during the 2023 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict, and in Iran during renewed Israel-Iran fighting, while the launch platform remains unidentified.
SPIKE anti-tank guided-missile family, Anti-tank guided missile family, Infantry WeaponsInfantry WeaponsSPIKE anti-tank guided-missile familyAnti-tank guided missile familyRafael's SPIKE family is a combat-proven electro-optical guided-missile line whose long-range NLOS branch is also known as Tamuz in Israeli service and Exactor in British service. The family spans infantry, vehicle, aircraft, and naval launchers, from compact short-range variants to Spike NLOS, which reaches 32 km from land or 50 km from the air and has documented use by Israeli, British, Azerbaijani, and U.S. forces.

Sources

Boeing Founders and ExecutivesPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports Apache lineage, including Hughes Helicopters' acquisition by McDonnell Douglas in 1984 and Boeing's heritage stewardship of the AH-64 program. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Boeing AH-64 ApachePublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports baseline Apache specifications and current Boeing program background, including crew, dimensions, speed, and ordnance. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IAF HelicoptersPublisher: Israeli Air Force | Note: Supports the AH-64 Apache's Israeli naming, type, and helicopter-inventory background, including the Peten and Saraph designations. | Accessed: 2026-06-27IAF Behind the ApachePublisher: Israeli Air Force | Note: Supports the Israeli Air Force's AH-64A Peten identity and background, including its attack role and laser-guided munitions. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Helicopters - The Israeli Air ForcePublisher: Israeli Air Force | Note: Supports the AH-64A Peten's helicopter background and documented loadout, including capacity for up to 16 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-28TWZ October 7 Apache missionsPublisher: The War Zone | Note: 2023 Israel-Hamas War: used by 190 Squadron's AH-64A Peten crews during the October 7, 2023 response missions described in the article. | Accessed: 2026-06-20TWZ Israeli AH-64A belly podPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports the AH-64A Peten's under-fuselage avionics pod and 190 Squadron service context described in the article. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Israeli Arsenal Deployed against GazaPublisher: Journal of Palestine Studies via PalQuest | Note: 2008 Gaza War: lists AH-64 Apache attack helicopters among Israeli aircraft employed during Operation Cast Lead. | Accessed: 2026-07-01The Aviationist AH-64 Peten flaresPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: 2006 Lebanon War and 2008 Gaza War: used by Israeli forces, with the article identifying AH-64A/D aircraft as involved in Lebanon and Operation Cast Lead; also supports Peten visual identification and self-protection context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Defense Industry Daily Israeli Apache upgradesPublisher: Defense Industry Daily | Note: Supports Israeli AH-64A upgrade context, including AH-64A+ and AH-64Ai designation language, avionics, communications, and self-protection changes. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Reuters Apache rocket over GazaPublisher: Reuters Connect | Note: 2023 Israel-Hamas War: Reuters Connect documented an Israeli Apache helicopter firing a rocket over Gaza on November 20, 2023. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Wikimedia AH-64Ai Peten 2017Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for the CC BY-SA 4.0 photo 'IAF AH-64Ai Apache "Peten" attack helicopter of the Israeli Air Force, Independence Day 2017'. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Hatzerim 2013 PetenPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for the 'Israeli Air Force Squadron 190 AH-64A Peten' photo, credited to Oren Rozen. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia AH-64Apache003Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for the 'IAF AH-64 Apache Peten' photo, credited to MathKnight. | Accessed: 2026-06-20