Demonstration conducted at Yuma Proving Ground expands U.S. Army efforts to combine attack helicopters with long-range unmanned systems
The AH-64E Apache helicopter of the U.S. Army integrated the Altius 700 loitering munition, developed by Anduril Industries, in a new phase of American efforts to expand the combined use of manned and unmanned platforms on the battlefield.
According to Anduril, the tests were carried out in March at Yuma Proving Ground, in the state of Arizona. The activity involved specialists from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Research Center, reinforcing the force’s interest in accelerating the incorporation of autonomous solutions into its combat aircraft.
The demonstration continues previous initiatives to integrate the Altius family into Army helicopters. In 2025, the Altius 700 had already been tested on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, indicating a broader strategy to expand the use of this type of weapon across different aerial platforms.
According to Anduril, the combination of manned and unmanned systems provides Army command with autonomous tools capable of being rapidly deployed to achieve the desired effect in combat. The goal is to enhance situational awareness, strike capability, and operational flexibility of aerial units.
In the case of the Altius 700, the company states that the munition features a 15 kg warhead, a range of up to 160 kilometers, and an endurance of up to 75 minutes. The model represents an evolution of the Altius 600M, a previous development by the company, whose total weight ranges between 9 and 12 kg depending on the payload used.
Interest in this type of system is also reflected in military support for Ukraine. Last year, the United Kingdom ordered multipurpose Altius 600M and Altius 700M models for Ukrainian use, with the possibility of deployment in both reconnaissance and strike missions.
The acquisition was conducted by the British agency Defense Equipment & Support, using resources from the International Fund for Ukraine. According to released information, several contracts were signed totaling £30 million for the supply of the Altius 600M unmanned aerial vehicles and the heavier Altius 700M model.
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The integration of the Altius 700 into the AH-64E Apache suggests that the U.S. Army continues to invest in expanding the capabilities of its attack helicopters, incorporating loitering munitions and autonomous systems as part of a doctrine increasingly focused on networked operations and multi-domain combat.
Source and images: Anduril. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
New Test Footage: AH-64 Apache attack helicopter executes rocket-powered launch of Altius-700.
This is the first time an Apache has employed a launched effect. https://t.co/tzq6soyNdi pic.twitter.com/YBsdP68si3
— Anduril Industries (@anduriltech) April 6, 2026
