Boeing has won Japan's AH-X attack helicopter competition with its AH-64D Apache Longbow, defeating the Bell AH-1Z. The decision by the Japan Defence Agency (JDA) deals a second blow to Bell in a matter of weeks after Australia opted for the Eurocopter Tiger in early August.
Recent budget cuts have forced the JDA to trim the Apache buy to only 10 units over the next five years, although 50-55 are required over the longer term.
Fuji Heavy Industries - traditionally a Bell partner - will assemble the AH-64s. They will replace the Japan Ground Self Defence Force's AH-1S Cobra fleet. Fuji assembled 89 AH-1S between 1984 and 2000.
The JDA has not revealed the purchase price, but it is anticipated at approximately ´6 billion ($50 million) per machine. The JDA is yet to specify a powerplant, although the General Electric T700 is the most likely choice. It is possible that the engines and/or Lockheed MartinAGM-114 Hellfire missiles will also be manufactured in Japan.
JDA says it selected the Apache because it believed life-cycle costs would be lower over a 20-year period, despite the AH-1Z having a lower acquisition cost.
Source: Flight International
