In the early 70's the US Army Command defined requirements for a prospective fire support helicopter, that's major task was to eliminate tanks in any weather, aided by counter-air defence and electronic warfare equipment. In September 1983, after a series of tests, the first production model AH-64A “Apache” was accepted into service in the US Army. The AH-64A Peten is an Israeli modification, armed with a powerful 30mm M230E-1 single-barrelled chain-driven autocannon with HEDP rounds, mounted on a chin turret, allowing the helicopter to execute aimed fire on light-armored targets. As for the guided armament, the AH-64A Peten can be equipped with up to 16 laser guided AGM-114 Hellfire ATGM's or with up to four air-to-air guided missiles AIM-92 Stingers and also, the helicopter can carry up to 76 Hydra-70 unguided rockets.