U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopter demonstrates counter-drone capability in Kuwait.

U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters participated in the Kuwaiti-led Sky Shield exercise at Udari Range Complex on Dec. 9, 2025, focusing on joint counter-drone operations. The event underscores how U.S. Army aviation is adapting to confront the rapid spread of small unmanned aerial systems on today’s battlefields.

U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters trained alongside Kuwaiti and partner forces during Exercise Sky Shield at the Udari Range Complex in Kuwait on Dec. 9, 2025, according to information released by the U.S Department of War. The drill emphasized integrated air defense and counter-unmanned aerial system operations, reflecting growing concern across U.S. Central Command about the increasing use of small, low-cost drones in regional conflicts.
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A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache operates during a live-fire phase of Exercise Sky Shield at the Udari Range Complex in Kuwait on Dec. 9, 2025. The Kuwait-led exercise brought together forces from the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom to strengthen combined air defense and operational interoperability. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Traditionally, in the U.S. Army, the AH-64 Apache has been optimized as a heavy attack helicopter, designed to destroy armored vehicles, support ground forces, and conduct deep attack missions against high-value targets. Since its introduction during the Cold War, the Apache’s core missions have included close combat attack, armed reconnaissance, and the suppression of enemy armored formations using precision-guided munitions.

However, the character of warfare has shifted significantly over the past decade. Conflicts such as the war in Ukraine have demonstrated how unmanned aerial systems now dominate reconnaissance, targeting, and strike missions at every echelon. Small, inexpensive drones are used to spot artillery fire, attack armored vehicles, and threaten aircraft operating at low altitude, fundamentally altering the operating environment for helicopters.

These developments have forced the U.S. Army to reassess how attack helicopters like the AH-64 can survive and remain relevant in drone-saturated battlespaces. Rather than operating solely as offensive strike platforms, Apaches are increasingly viewed as multi-role assets that can contribute to sensing, command-and-control, and limited counter-drone functions within a layered air defense framework.

During Exercise Sky Shield, the AH-64 operated as part of an integrated air defense architecture, supporting detection, tracking, and response efforts against simulated aerial threats. Its inclusion demonstrated how attack helicopters can provide mobile coverage and rapid reaction capabilities, particularly in areas where fixed air defense systems may be constrained by terrain or coverage gaps.

Beyond this exercise, the U.S. Army has tested and evaluated the AH-64E Apache Guardian as a counter-UAS contributor during recent operational experiments. These assessments have focused on how the aircraft’s sensor suite, including electro-optical, infrared, and fire control radar systems, can detect and track small aerial targets and share that data with ground-based air defense units.

From a weapons perspective, several systems mounted on the AH-64E are being examined for their applicability against aerial drones, depending on threat type and engagement conditions. The 30mm M230 chain gun offers a relatively cost-effective option for engaging slow-moving or low-altitude drones within visual range, particularly when cued by onboard sensors. Its high rate of fire and flexible aiming system make it suitable for short-range aerial engagements.

The Apache’s guided rocket systems, including laser-guided 70mm rockets, are also being studied as potential counter-drone options against larger unmanned aircraft or clustered targets. While not specifically designed for air defense, guided rockets offer a balance between precision and cost compared to larger missiles.

In contrast, heavy precision weapons such as the AGM-114 Hellfire or AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) are generally considered less economical for small-drone engagements, but they remain relevant against larger, high-value unmanned platforms or when no other engagement options are available. Army planners are evaluating doctrine to determine when such weapons may be justified in counter-UAS scenarios.

Equally important is the Apache’s role as a networked sensor and command node. Through secure data links, the AH-64E can relay real-time tracking data to air defense batteries, command posts, and other aircraft, enabling faster, more coordinated responses to drone incursions. This networked approach mirrors lessons from Ukraine, where rapid sensor-to-shooter connectivity has proven decisive.

For Kuwaiti forces, Sky Shield provided valuable insight into how the U.S. Army aviation is adapting to these realities. The combined training strengthened interoperability and demonstrated how rotary-wing platforms can support national air defense and critical infrastructure protection in an era defined by unmanned threats.

Strategically, the Apache’s evolving role reflects a broader U.S. Army modernization effort driven by lessons learned from contemporary conflicts. By adapting proven platforms like the AH-64 to counter drone threats, the Army aims to build resilient, layered defenses capable of operating effectively in highly contested and technologically dense environments.

Exercises such as Kuwaiti-Led Sky Shield underscore that the AH-64 Apache is no longer viewed solely as an anti-armor platform. Instead, it is increasingly integrated into air defense and counter-UAS planning, ensuring it remains a relevant and adaptable asset on the modern battlefield.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.