The Apache most definitely has the capacity to conduct recce missions and if necessary can carry external fuel on it's stub-wings to enhance range, allowing for the long range patrol mission.
Apache has the capability to conduct day and night time surveillance with FLIR and television day/night and optical sensors, whilst Longbow adds Millimetric Wave radar surveillance for air and ground targets.
AH-64D also possesses tactical data-link and solid state digital recorders to record the surveillance footage and images their sensors obtain and they can "hand off" this information via the Link 16 Tactical data-links, something the Australian Tigers are being upgraded to do as well. (Though Aussie Tigers currently incorporate Link 4A "proprietary data-links" they are being modified to the Link 16 standard to fit in with the wider ADF Link 16 architecture).
Unlike fast jets though, helos can land just about anywhere and refuel and rearm at FARP's (forward area refueling points) so the range issue is not a drama, provided your logistical support is established sufficiently to support these kinds of operations.
No matter which of these helicopters your Country chooses, you will have an excellent capability.
Cheers.
Having just read the book 'Apache' by Ed Macy, which looks in detail at attack helicopter operations in Afghanistan it makes you appreciate the value of such airframes. The book provides an excellent insight into the technical specifications and capabilities of the Apache and how they are applied in actual combat. Critically the following came out, which one must assume also apply in most respects to the Tiger.
The amount of time and effort put into the design allowing for maximum redundancy in the event certain critical systems fail or are damaged as a result of enemy action.
Careful application of materials - light weight materials in certain areas specifically designed to allow rounds to pass straight through minimising the size of entry and exit hole and subsequent impact upon the structural integrity of the airframe. Heavy armour in other areas where the 'soft and pink' bits sit and fly the beast.
Ability to fly the helo, whether in the front or back seat.
Unparalleled surveillance, tracking (Longbow) and killing capabilities - day or night.
High weapons load - 30mm round capacity, hydra, hellfire. The way they describe the interaction between fast air dropping bombs followed by 30mm Apache sweeps to kill insurgents escaping the scene of engagements is fascinating. With the thermal capability the term 'you can run but can't hide' brings a hole new dimension to the equation. Even though the Apache was designed for cold war tank killing it's ability to dominate the battlefield fighting light irregulars is still very impressive.
My only criticism is the need to develop cheaper munitions, firing a hellfire to destroy personnel in tunnel complexes sounds too expensive and is definitely overkill, companies should be developing smaller guided munitions with an HE / shrapnel capability - something cheap and cheerful with long shelf-lives. The issue of shelf life is a real factor, because every time an airframe deploys and returns without firing its missiles the strain brought about by the in-flight vibrations means that after a while the munition must be sent out of theatre to be checked and re-calibrated. The armourers on the ground try and encourage the pilots to fire the weapons, which are coming to the end of their operational shelf-life to cut the cost and embuggerance factor of having to send them back for servicing, something I didn't appreciate before I read the book.
The book is well worth a read, similar in detail to the Vietnam helo classic 'Chickenhawk'.
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