U.S. Army tests APEX counter-drone round for Apache

The United States Army recently conducted tests of a new 30 mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) round designed for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter at the Yuma Test Center at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The trials evaluated the munition’s ability to engage unmanned aerial systems using the Apache’s existing M230 automatic cannon.

The testing comes as the Army increases its focus on counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities. Small drones have become widely used on modern battlefields, including in the war between Ukraine and Russia, driving demand for new defensive technologies.

Test Officer Walter McCormick, who led the evaluation, said the APEX round was specifically designed to intercept unmanned aerial targets by detonating near them rather than relying on direct impact.

“The APEX round was developed to be a frag round that would prox in front of the [unmanned aerial system] and make a frag pattern that would take out a UAS,” McCormick explained.

The new ammunition is designed to integrate with the Apache’s M230 30 mm automatic gun, which is mounted under the helicopter and widely used for engaging ground targets. The APEX round shares similarities with the currently fielded M788 training round and the M789 high explosive dual-purpose round already used by Apache crews.

McCormick said the main difference lies in how the munition detonates when engaging aerial targets.

“Its form and function is similar except it explodes in front of the target instead of hitting the target then exploding,” he said.

During the test campaign at Yuma Proving Ground, the Army conducted two separate subtests to measure the new munition’s performance. The first phase assessed the APEX round and compared its behavior with the legacy M789 ammunition.

The second phase focused on engaging unmanned aerial systems in a live-fire environment. Crews fired approximately 1,200 rounds in total across both ammunition types during the evaluation.

“We engaged a couple different UAS and a few different ground targets,” McCormick said.

Yuma Proving Ground offers conditions that support complex aviation weapons testing. The installation provides nearly 2,000 square miles of restricted airspace, allowing helicopters to conduct live-fire engagements that would be difficult at other test ranges.

McCormick said the range’s size and instrumentation make it particularly well suited for aerial firing exercises.

“They have done ground testing at other ranges. The problem is they [other ranges] don’t have the land or airspace to do aerial firing from a helicopter,” he said. “So that’s a big benefit. Plus, all the unique instrumentation YPG offers.”

Yuma Test Center at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground recently tested a new 30-mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) round.

To collect performance data during the test, Yuma Proving Ground used a combination of aerial and ground-based monitoring systems. These included telemetry equipment, Kineto Tracking Mounts, high-speed video cameras, and still photography teams positioned around the range.

Support aircraft also played a role in tracking the engagement results. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters flew overhead to help assess where rounds landed relative to the helicopter’s firing position.

“The Black Hawk was used primarily for overhead score, so we can assess where rounds are impacting based on firing point of the aircraft,” McCormick said.

He added that the network of ground cameras provided additional insight into the engagements.

“The other benefit of surrounding ground camera angles was having a 360 view of the situation,” McCormick said.

The Yuma Test Center regularly supports evaluations by both military units and defense industry partners. Its instrumentation and airspace allow detailed analysis of weapons performance during live-fire trials.

The APEX test program is part of a broader effort by the Army to strengthen counter-drone capabilities across the force. Unmanned aerial systems have increasingly become common tools for reconnaissance and strike missions in modern conflicts.

Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll has directed increased attention toward both unmanned systems and counter-UAS technologies. As part of that effort, the U.S. Army Yuma Test Center has been designated as the primary interagency test and training range for counter-small unmanned aerial system operations.

Adapting existing weapons to counter aerial threats is one approach the Army is pursuing. By developing new ammunition compatible with the Apache’s current M230 cannon, the service could expand the helicopter’s ability to engage drones without requiring major modifications to the aircraft.

Following the live-fire tests, the APEX munition will move to the next stage of evaluation.

The next step is an Airworthiness Release (AWR) based on the results collected during the trials. The AWR would provide the safety authorization required for Apache crews to fire the round during operational use once the ammunition becomes available.

Airworthiness certification is a key milestone on the path toward materiel release and fielding within the Army.

If approved, the APEX round would provide Apache helicopters with a new option for countering small unmanned aircraft by creating a fragmentation pattern designed to intercept targets in flight. For military planners and defense observers, the development reflects growing efforts to adapt existing aviation weapons to address the expanding role of drones on modern battlefields.