2010-07-26 09:01 The AH-64 Apache, the world's premier attack helicopter, was designed to be an extremely tough survivor on the battlefield. In 1983, Hughes Helicopters, Inc., which became a part of McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1984, won the prestigious Collier Trophy for the design of the AH-64A Apache. The next-generation version of the combat-proven Apache, the AH-64D Apache Longbow, first flew in 1997. This 21st Century rotorcraft, is a fully integrated weapon system that includes the Longbow radar, fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, and advanced avionics and electronics that set it apart from other combat helicopters.