Well the Cobra gunship actually came first... well I don't know why. But I don't see how an Apache could be modified without too much additional cost for seaborne operations.

Originally Posted by CPrime

I have heard that the apache cant stand (salt/sea) water. Besides that, the apache hasn't got a landing gear strong enough to land on a unstable ship. So I have heard.

Apaches have been placed on ships. During the first Haiti crisis, Apaches (I believe from the 101st Airborne) were in fact loaded onto naval vessels with the intent of using the vessels as a staging area to luanch the Apaches into combat operations. It was the first time Army aircraft had been placed on a Navy ship since the Jimmy Doolittle B-25 raid on the mainland of Japan in 1942.

Originally Posted by CPrime

I have heard that the apache cant stand (salt/sea) water. Besides that, the apache hasn't got a landing gear strong enough to land on a unstable ship. So I have heard.

I thought that gear could survive an unpowered drop from not a big height-you know as in crash landing.
So if that's true I don't see any reason for the apache not to land on deck.

Apaches have been placed on ships. During the first Haiti crisis, Apaches (I believe from the 101st Airborne) were in fact loaded onto naval vessels with the intent of using the vessels as a staging area to luanch the Apaches into combat operations. It was the first time Army aircraft had been placed on a Navy ship since the Jimmy Doolittle B-25 raid on the mainland of Japan in 1942.

...

I thought that gear could survive an unpowered drop from not a big height-you know as in crash landing.
So if that's true I don't see any reason for the apache not to land on deck.

So my source was wrong.

The Royal Navy now operates Apache Longbows from HMS Ocean. They are also capable of operating from the three Invincible class carriers, and HMS Albion and Bulwark. The British Apaches were always designed to operate at sea and have more anti-corrosion features than other Apaches, better rotor anti-icing, and folding rotor blades. They also have more powerful engines.

Just to point out the Apaches are flown by Army Air Corp pilots, but they are rountinely embarked on HMS Ocean.

And there you go
Apaches can operate off ships.

NIce I wish we did that

Originally Posted by Time

NIce I wish we did that

To the best of my knowledge the USMC decided on the (modified)Cobra because of financial reasons.

Originally Posted by jamesthegren

Just to point out the Apaches are flown by Army Air Corp pilots, but they are rountinely embarked on HMS Ocean.

WHat other attack Helicopter does the British military use? The only thing that comes close to an attack helicopter that the Canadian Forces use is the CH-146 Comanche.