Apaches fire Hellfire missiles in live-fire drill

An Apache (AH-64E) attack helicopter fires a Hellfire air-to-surface missile du ring its first live-fire exercise at a firing range in waters off the western coastal city of Gunsan, Monday. / Courtesy of Republic of Korea Army

By Jun Ji-hye

The Republic of Korea Army successfully fired eight Hellfire air-to-surface missiles at targets in the sea in its first live-fire exercise, Monday.

Twelve Apache (AH-64E) attack helicopters belonging to the Army’s Aviation Operations Command took part in the drill held at a firing range in waters off the western coastal city of Gunsan. Of them, eight fired one Hellfire missile each, the Army said.

This was the first time for the Army to have carried out a live-fire exercise with the missiles since their introduction this year.

The Army said the missiles flew 3.5 to 8 kilometers in various strike formations.

The U.S. Hellfire missiles were developed for precision strikes against different targets and have been used in a number of killings of high-profile individuals. The missiles have been used by the U.S. armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Army said one Apache helicopter is capable of carrying up to 16 Hellfire missiles, and the unit is capable of destroying 570 enemy tanks.

“The Apache unit is the core of the Army Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Joo Gyung-suk. “We will continue to improve our ability to respond to any enemy provocation.”