Aircraft & UAVs

AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter

Also known as
  • Peten
  • Saraph
  • AH-64D Apache Longbow
  • AH-64D Apache

The AH-64D Saraph is the Israeli Air Force name for the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter, a twin-seat gunship built around a 30 mm cannon, Hellfire-class missiles, and long-range target sensors. Israeli and defense-industry sources document the Saraph in service from the 2006 Lebanon War through Gaza campaigns, while published photos also show Israeli aircraft carrying Spike NLOS missiles.

AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: IAF AH-64D Apache with Spike NLOS, 2021.jpg

Role in Conflicts

2006 Lebanon War
Fire Support
Side
Israel

Used by the Israeli Air Force during the 2006 Lebanon War; the IAF's AH-64D Apache Longbow retrospective says the type took part in the Second Lebanon War during its first year in Israeli service.

2008 Gaza War
Fire Support
Side
Israel

Fielded by the Israeli Air Force during Operation Cast Lead; Defense Industry Daily reported that Israel analyzed the AH-64D fleet's performance after its participation in the 2008-2009 Gaza campaign.

2014 Gaza War
Fire Support
Side
Israel

Used by the Israeli Air Force during Operation Protective Edge; the IAF's AH-64D Apache Longbow retrospective says the Seraph squadron flew as much in the fifty-day operation as it had during the previous six months.

Israeli Service Notes

The Saraph is easiest to understand as an Israeli AH-64D with local service names, standard Apache weapons, photo-documented Spike NLOS carriage, and directly documented combat use in Lebanon and Gaza campaigns.

TopicDetailSource
Local namesThe Israeli Air Force page uses Peten and Saraph for the Apache family in Israeli service.The Israeli Air Force - Helicopters
Airframe costGAO estimated Longbow Apache modification cost at about $13.2 million per helicopter in 1992 dollars.GAO Longbow Apache cost estimate, 1992
Missile cost contextGAO later listed Longbow Hellfire unit costs at about $152k to $208k, depending on production rate.GAO Longbow Hellfire missile unit cost estimates, 1997
Combat serviceIAF and defense-industry sources tie the AH-64D / Seraph fleet to the 2006 Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead, Operation Protective Edge, and Operation Shield and Arrow.AH-64D Apache Longbow First Decade in the IAF; Israel Debates Longbow Benefits vs Costs; Aerial Support in Times of War
Stand-off fitPublished photos show AH-64D Saraph aircraft carrying Spike NLOS missiles.The Aviationist AH-64D Spike NLOS photos
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
Boeing
Type
Attack helicopter
Service note
1990s–present
Designed
1990-1993 Longbow development
Unit cost
About $13.2 million per modified helicopter in the 1992 Longbow Apache program estimate.
Produced
1997-present AH-64D Longbow production; Israeli deliveries began in 2005

Specifications

Crew
2
Length
17.75 m
Height
5.11 m
Main rotor span
14.63 m
Maximum speed
365 kph
Ceiling
6.4 km
Maximum range
689 km
Weight
Empty 4,881 kg; maximum 9,525 kg
Armament
30 mm M230 cannon with 1,200 rounds; up to 16 Hellfire missiles
Variants

Israeli Apache naming separates the earlier AH-64A Peten from the AH-64D Saraph / Seraph, the Longbow-standard aircraft accepted into Israeli service from 2005.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
AH-64A Peten attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64A Peten attack helicopterEarlier Israeli Apache model

The Israeli Air Force uses Peten for the AH-64A-era Apache and Saraph / Seraph for the AH-64D Apache Longbow introduced to 113 Squadron from 2005.

Sources: The Israeli Air Force - Helicopters, AH-64D Apache Longbow First Decade in the IAF

Carried Munitions

Published photos and Israeli Air Force specs show the Saraph in missile and gun fits that combine standard Apache armament with Israeli stand-off carriage.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
M230 30 mm chain gun, 30 mm autocannon, Aircraft & UAVsM230 30 mm chain gunIntegrated 30 mm cannon

The Israeli Air Force lists the AH-64's M230 30 mm cannon with 1,200 rounds, documenting the Saraph's integral gun armament.

Sources: The Israeli Air Force - Helicopters

SPIKE anti-tank guided-missile family, Anti-tank guided missile family, Infantry WeaponsSPIKE anti-tank guided-missile familyNon-line-of-sight missile

The Aviationist published photos of IAF AH-64D Saraph helicopters carrying Spike NLOS missiles, documenting the helicopter as a carrier for the missile family.

Sources: The Aviationist AH-64D Spike NLOS photos

AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyHelicopter missile family

The Israeli Air Force lists Hellfire among the AH-64's armament, so the Saraph is a documented carrier for the missile family as well.

Sources: The Israeli Air Force - Helicopters

Timeline

AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter Key Events

  1. AH-64D Longbow development approved

    The U.S. Army said development of the more advanced AH-64D Apache Longbow was approved by the Defense Acquisition Board in August 1990.

    Sources: Army approved AH-64D Apache Longbow development

  2. First AH-64D fielded by the Army

    The Army's aviation modernization timeline says PEO Aviation fielded the AH-64D Apache Longbow in March 1997 with its new radar, RFI, and digitized cockpit upgrades.

    Sources: Army PEO Aviation 2018 strategic plan

  3. Israel orders nine AH-64D Apache Longbows

    Boeing reported that Israel signed a letter of offer and acceptance for nine AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters, in a package expected to approach $500 million including aircraft, ordnance, spares, training, and support.

    Sources: Israel to Purchase Nine Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbows

  4. First Israeli AH-64D accepted

    Boeing announced that Israel accepted its first three AH-64D Apache Longbows in a ceremony in Israel.

    Sources: Israel Accepts First AH-64D Apache Longbows

  5. First combat year in Lebanon

    The Israeli Air Force's AH-64D retrospective says the type took part in the Second Lebanon War during its first year in Israeli service.

    Sources: AH-64D Apache Longbow First Decade in the IAF

  6. Operation Cast Lead performance reviewed

    Defense Industry Daily reported that Israel analyzed the AH-64D fleet's performance after Operation Cast Lead.

    Sources: Israel Debates Longbow Benefits vs Costs

  7. Seraph squadron surge in Gaza

    The Israeli Air Force's AH-64D retrospective says the Seraph squadron flew as much during the fifty-day Operation Protective Edge as in the preceding six months.

    Sources: AH-64D Apache Longbow First Decade in the IAF

  8. Spike NLOS carriage photographed

    The Aviationist published photos of Israeli AH-64D Saraph helicopters carrying Spike NLOS missiles, showing an unusual long-range stand-off fit.

    Sources: The Aviationist AH-64D Spike NLOS photos

  9. Seraf fire mission described

    Ynet described a Seraf combat-helicopter crew firing during Operation Shield and Arrow after identifying suspicious people near the Gaza perimeter fence.

    Sources: Aerial Support in Times of War

  10. Apache missile strike over Gaza documented

    AP reported an Israeli Apache helicopter firing a missile toward the Gaza Strip during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

    Sources: Israel battles Hamas near another Gaza hospital sheltering thousands

Media

AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter Images

AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: RamatDavid 020517 Saraf 01.jpg
AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: IAF AH-64D Apache with Spike NLOS, 2021.jpg
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Sources

The Israeli Air Force - HelicoptersPublisher: Israeli Air Force | Note: Supports the Peten and Saraph names, type, dimensions, performance, weight, ceiling, and armament details including the M230 30 mm cannon for the AH-64 Apache in Israeli service. | Accessed: 2026-07-01AH-64 ApachePublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports manufacturer background for the AH-64 Apache family and the helicopter's broader program context. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Israel battles Hamas near another Gaza hospital sheltering thousandsPublisher: AP News | Note: Supports 2023 Israel-Hamas War direct conflict-use: an Israeli Apache helicopter fired a missile toward the Gaza Strip. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IAF AH-64D Apache with Spike NLOS, 2021.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA licensing context for the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20RamatDavid 020517 Saraf 01.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA licensing context for a second gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IAF AH-64.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA licensing context for a third gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20The Aviationist AH-64D Spike NLOS photosPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports IAF AH-64D Saraph carriage of Spike NLOS missiles in published photographs. | Accessed: 2026-06-23AH-64D Apache Longbow First Decade in the IAFPublisher: Israeli Air Force | Note: Supports AH-64D Saraph / Seraph Israeli service context, including direct 2006 Lebanon War use during the type's first year and Operation Protective Edge sortie intensity in the 2014 Gaza War. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Israel Debates Longbow Benefits vs CostsPublisher: Defense Industry Daily | Note: Supports 2008 Gaza War direct conflict-use by reporting Israeli review of AH-64D fleet performance after its participation in Operation Cast Lead. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Aerial Support in Times of WarPublisher: Ynetnews | Note: Supports May 2023 Israel-Gaza Conflict direct conflict-use by describing a Seraf combat-helicopter fire mission during Operation Shield and Arrow. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Army approved AH-64D Apache Longbow developmentPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports the August 1990 approval of AH-64D Apache Longbow development and the program's early background. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Army PEO Aviation 2018 strategic planPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports March 1997 fielding of the AH-64D Apache Longbow and its early digitized sensor suite and radar upgrades. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Israel to Purchase Nine Boeing AH-64D Apache LongbowsPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports Israel's 2001 order for nine AH-64D Apache Longbows and the roughly $500 million program value including aircraft, ordnance, spares, training, and support. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Israel Accepts First AH-64D Apache LongbowsPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports Israel's first three AH-64D Apache Longbows being accepted in April 2005. | Accessed: 2026-06-27GAO Longbow Apache cost estimate, 1992Publisher: U.S. Government Accountability Office | Note: Supports the early Longbow Apache modification cost estimate of about $13.2 million per aircraft and the program's missile-cost context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27GAO Longbow Hellfire missile unit cost estimates, 1997Publisher: U.S. Government Accountability Office | Note: Supports the Longbow Hellfire missile unit-cost range of about $152k to $208k per missile, depending on production rate. | Accessed: 2026-06-27