Which article is that?
Edit:
Nevermind, I found it... He's pretty much spot on about the cover bit... though, it is a desert. The Apache itself was designed around a 'pop up and kill' concept... their lethality isn't anthing to scoff at, but like any whirly bird (including Evil's beloved Hind), dedicated ground fire will bring it down. Now, that ground fire does have to punch through the armor of the Apache or chew up its rotors... lemme dig out a picture.. it's a little bird blade, but the composites the same...
Edit 2:
Okay.... actually, it looks like a Longbow blade, but here you go:
Note the honeycomb of material there that makes up the body of the blade.... this gives it a little more durability from groundfire.
Simply put, the way the Apaches were deployed was a mistake, along with a maintenance issue with the sand had grounded them, something I don't think the War Nerd really thought about when he wrote the article.
Additionally, without the longbow package, the Apache itself is a pretty lethal vehicle against infantry who lack any form of real heavy weapons. Small arms and even light machineguns might dissuade an Apache, but it's not going to bring it down right away like a MPAD would.
If you're taking this out to past 2008, check out the Block improvements:
The first of the upgraded Block II Apaches was delivered to the US Army in February 2003. Block II includes upgrades to the digital communications systems to improve communications within the 'tactical internet'.
Block III improvements, slated for 2008 onwards, include increasing digitisation, the joint tactical radio system, enhanced engines and drive systems, capability to control UAVs and new composite rotor blade. The new blades, which successfully completed flight testing in May 2004, increase the Apache's cruise speed, climb rate and payload capability. The Block III System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract was awarded to Boeing in July 2006.
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/apache/
Edit 3: Wow....I shouldn't do this sort of thing this early in the morning...
Lemme summarize... The Apache is, like many US Weapon Systems, is supposed to be used in conjunction with others as part of a Joint Combat Force. The scout helicopters mark targets for the Apaches (this has been supplemented/supplimated by the Longbow) to kill, the Apaches pop up and whack the target. In Iraq, they're kept just off station, within range of any units that need them and they don't tend to operate by themselves.
