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Two soldiers were caught having sex in the cockpit of an Apache gunship.

The pair, who were believed to be under the influence of alcohol, were discovered in the act by their colleagues, The Sun reported.

They were allegedly engaged in intercourse in the back of a two-seater AH-64 gunship.

A ground crew is understood to have approached the aircraft to fit rain covers after a night-time servicing, but then reportedly heard unusual noises and saw that the rotors were swaying up and down.

An air safety report, which was seen by the newspaper after it became available owing to a technical glitch, said: “It became apparent that the rear cockpit was occupied by two people engaged in sexual intercourse. Both were naked from the waist down, the male in uniform, the female in civilian attire. They were ordered to exit the cockpit and get dressed.

“Both parties were serving soldiers. Both showed symptoms of intoxication.”

The gunship is said to have belonged to the Army Air Corps’ 653 Squadron but the soldiers were from a separate unit, thought to be Royal Artillery.

The report to the Military Aviation Authority added: “They were detained until the chain of command of 653 Squadron and their parent unit arrived.”

An Army source claimed the incident took place at the Otterburn range in Northumberland in 2016, adding that ground crews have been instructed to secure helicopters properly in the future.

In January a new Apache AH-64E attack helicopter declared “ready for front line duty” by the Army in October, was knocked on its side by strong winds at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

It is understood no one was injured during the incident, and that all other aircraft remained undamaged.

Apaches are considered robust enough to operate from the decks of ships, and are typically able to withstand rough weather.

The Ministry of Defence was contacted for comment.