Why Don't the US Marines Use Apache Helicopters?

The primary role of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) involves assaulting beaches and supporting beach landings from ships. The Apache is more powerful, capable of carrying more payload, and flying faster than the Cobra.

[vicariousjohnson]

Both services had the Cobra. Army decided to change to a new platform, Marines decided to upgrade existing. It’s not complicated.

[bradsimpson]

Composition is another significant issue. The corrosive saltwater humidity was a consideration when designing the Cobra, but not with the Apache. The maintenance needed to keep an Apache flightworthy aboard a carrier for any length of time is obscene. The British Army figured that out on joint training exercises with the Royal Navy; the time and freshwater consumed to rinse and maintain the helicopters was far more than they originally expected. The landing gear on the Apaches also didn't handle heavy sea conditions particularly well.

[igaltivoni]

Incorrect info: apache is slower, not faster.
Ah-1z Viper max speed 411 km/h
Ah-64 apache max speed 293 km/h

[Saltybuher]

The Cobra is just so much better looking too. Always loved them.

[mikedearing]

I remember in 1983 watching the new apache helicopters fly in from Luke AFB to the airport I worked at my first year out of highschool, they were practicing touch & go at somewhat high speed, as if a hot zone drop off was happening. A couple years later I was based in Korea and we had a large helicopter base, very cool on maintenance days watching fifty plus different helicopters hovering
.

[MrDrew]

Cobra...crayons both start with the letter C, coincidence? I think not

[AndreVanDiggelen-wlfx]

The Marines have Ah-1Z Sea Vipers, Just as potent as an Apache and Twice as rugged.

[HowieD-wqvg]

Started at HMA-269 in 1980 back when it was still an all Cobra squadron. AH1-J was a real PITA to decowl/recowl for maintenance. All those screws and camlock fasteners...

[matthewwiles]

I’ll make this simple. Apache was made for and excels at destroying armor. Cobras were made for and excel at ground support. Yes, they CAN do either, but are centered around their primary build purposes and service branch philosophies.

[La-familia-de-Fazio]

The Apache has always and will always be my favorite helicopter; but the Cobra will always have a spot in my heart! Truly and incredible weapons platform! A true force to contend with on the battle field!

A close 3rd would be the “Little Birds” with their dual mini-gun setup! I loved the way the movie “Blackhawk down” portrayed that weapons platform!

[Star_cab]

One is a chef's knife the other is a saber. One is not better than the other they both have a purpose.

[rf]

Cobra: 1x pilot, 1x gunner. Apache: 2x pilot, 2nd pilot guns, if the primary pilot is injured or killed then the 2nd pilot can fly the ship home.

[wesleyalden]

I'd take a Viper all day long, just as combat effective as the Apache

[Merciless_Banana]

Both AH have a mission set. Both operate very well in those environments

[casaflores]

Love them both, they’re both badass, Go Army, Go Marines!!! Thank you for keeping us safe!🙏🫡🇺🇸

[matthew]

I've seen Apaches and cobras in combat and hands down I would rather have a cobra overhead

[dw]

The Marines: doing more with less since 1775. Semper Fi, Leathernecks.

[noneyadamnbiznezz]

I don’t know bout the Apache so much. Have to ask my older Bro. He was Army for 12 years, 101st and 75th Rngr Bat. I was just a Marine Pog that later earned his place as a Grunt! Anyways the Cobra gunship wether training or you’re watching 6 cobras rip apart an Iraqi Arty Battalion, THEY NEVER FAILED to give us Marines on the ground a friggin hard on! I LOVED watching Cobras unheard and unseen training in mountains of Camp Pendleton as they laid the Hate on old targeting tanks on the training ranges!

[Idrissi_Mas]

Spot on. We support amphebious landings primarily

[geneard]

When I went thru H-1 FRAMP at Camp Pendleton, one of the OLD ass as fuck Gunnys said the reason why the Marines had both the UH-1 and the AH-1 was... All the original AH-1s were built from UH-1B Iroquois. It was a Field Modification Kit. The UH fuselage is held on with a series of bolts, then fuel lines, hydraulic lines, flight controls, wiring looms, all just break at disconnects near the Combiner Gearbox area, UH fuselage slips off, AH fuselage slips on, gets bolted and connected and you have the same basic aircraft with a new fuselage. Marines keep both around, because aircraft in a war get shot up and you may need to 're-home' an AH or UH fuselage onto a new tail and power package. I saw the manuals for it, its a field fix.... but, those were 1970 manuals. Gunny was CRUSTY AS FUCK.