Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) has delivered its first two licence-built General Electric T700-701C engines, due to power Japan's Fuji-assembled Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters from 2006. IHI says the engines will undergo testing by a Fuji/Boeing team in Arizona next year. The company is also under contract to produce another six engines for delivery next year, writes Brendan Sobie.
The Japanese Defence Agency (JDA) selected the T700-701C-powered Apache in 2001 to meet an army requirement for up to 55 attack helicopters. However, the project has suffered a one-year delay and is now being questioned in the light of growing budget constraints.
Japan has so far acquired four Apaches and has earmarked funds in its 2004 budget for a further two, but purchases for 2005 and beyond are being reviewed as part of a new five-year spending plan to be completed by year-end. This is expected to reduce helicopter production in favour of funding a new ballistic missile defence requirement (Flight International, 29 June-5 July).
Some Japanese sources suggest the Apache programme could still be cancelled this year, with the initial aircraft and engines returned to Boeing and sold to other customers. But other sources say it is too late, pointing to the delivery of the first engines and early production work now under way.
IHI already supplies the JDA with T700s for its Mitsubishi-assembled Sikorsky S-60 helicopters, including the new SH-60K anti-submarine warfare variant. The company last year delivered the first three T700-401C2 engines for the SH-60K and engine tests are being conducted at Atsugi air base, ahead of the type's deployment next year. IHI has been contracted to build 28 additional engines for delivery over the next two years.
Source: Flight International
