As Russia Keeps Losing Helicopters to Ukrainian Drones, the US Prepares to Launch Them From Apache

The United States has successfully integrated Altius 700 loitering munitions, developed by Anduril, onto the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, marking a significant step in expanding the platform’s strike capabilities.

According to the company, the tests were conducted in March at Yuma Proving Ground and involved specialists from the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s research center, as reported on April 4.

The demonstration builds on earlier integration efforts involving Altius systems and US Army helicopters. In 2025, the Altius 700 was also tested aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk.

“The combination of manned and unmanned systems provides Army commanders with rapidly deployable autonomous tools that deliver the desired effect,” Anduril said.

The Altius 700 loitering munition is equipped with a 15-kilogram warhead, significantly increasing its destructive potential compared to earlier systems. For comparison, the company’s previous platform, the Altius 600M, has a total weight of 9 to 12 kilograms depending on payload configuration.

According to Anduril, the Altius 700 has a range of up to 160 kilometers and can remain airborne for as long as 75 minutes, allowing it to loiter over target areas before striking.

The integration of loitering munitions with attack helicopters reflects a broader shift toward combining traditional aviation platforms with autonomous strike systems, enabling forces to engage targets at greater distances while reducing risk to personnel.

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia lost multiple helicopters to Ukrainian drones, including ones targeted mid-air. In the latest such incident, Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter using an FPV drone in the Pokrovsk sector.

Pilots of this Russian Ka-52 helicopter were able to eject after being hit by an FPV drone. After ejecting, the crew took cover in a trench behind burned-out armor. A follow-up drone reconnaissance flight later discovered that Russian pilots were already dead.

Loitering munitions produced by Anduril are also in service with Ukraine. Last year, the United Kingdom ordered both Altius 600M and the heavier Altius 700M systems for Ukraine, which can be used for reconnaissance and strike missions.

The procurement was carried out by Defence Equipment & Support using funds from the International Fund for Ukraine, with contracts totaling $38.7 million for the delivery of both drone types.

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