Of note in the new design is that the wingstubs having been lengthened to allow for three underwing hardpoints per wing member (an increase from the original's two). The vertical tail fin is not only of a larger-area shape but it has also been positioned ventrally so as to better clear the tail unit for the pusher prop system as well as engine wash. The tail unit also includes the usual horizontal planes, one member to each side of the tail stem with the port side member holding the contra-rotating tail-rotor component.
Unlike the current-generation Apache, the Advanced Apache does not figure to have a fixed, wheeled, "tail-dragger" undercarriage. Instead it showcases a fully-retractable undercarriage to promote better aerodynamic efficiency - considering the increased speeds expected of this helicopter, this design quality makes sense (a tailwheel is retained at the ventral tail fin however).
In terms of armament, a chin-mounted (largely enclosed) turret structure remains under the nose. With each wing sporting three hardpoints, tactical usefulness of the helicopter is considerably broadened as the system would now be able to carry more ordnance in the way of rocket pods, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), fuel tanks, and special-missile pods - in pairs or in mixed sets. This means as many as 16 x Hellfire ATGMs alongside 2 x 19-shot rocket pods giving the platform inherently strong capabilities to undertake multiple mission sets with one loadout.
For instance, the current-generation Apaches are typically armed for the "Anti-Armor" (tank-killing), "Covering Force" (support), or "Escort" roles dictating a heavy reliance on either missiles or rockets or a limited mix of the two. In the new approach, a single Advanced Apache would be outfitted with a heavy load out of both missiles and rockets (as well as its chin-mounted gun) to better respond to mulitple battlefield threats related to any role it was needed to fulfill.
It remains to be seen if the Advanced Apache design comes to any sort of fruition as these sorts of grand evolutionary steps to existing products rarely materialize - the service almost always proceeding with clean-sheet designs for future growth.
NOTE: Some values presented on this page have been estimated on the part of the author based on contemporary helicopter designs. The article will be updated as new information allows.
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