PAUL LEWIS / MESA, ARIZONA
US Army and Boeing planning to extend attack helicopter programme beyond 2006
The US Army and Boeing are seeking additional funding to sustain the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter programme beyond 2006.
Helicopter life would be extended through a proposed Block 3 package of upgrades and the remanufacture of the remaining AH-64A now being transferred to the Army National Guard.
Boeing faces a break in production in 2006, when the US Army is due to receive the last of 501 remanufactured AH-64Ds.
This will leave the army still operating 240 AH-64As, which Boeing estimates will cost $1.4 billion more to maintain over 20 years than remanufacturing all 741 machines according to a common configuration.
The firm also says continued investment is needed for the Apache to remain competitive in the international market. Boeing has 161 export orders for new and remanufactured helicopters through to 2005. At stake are some 343 projected additional sales in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
US Army attention is focused on finding funds in 2004-09 for a follow-on Block 3 of its Apache Longbows. Boeing says it needs money in the 2003 budget to begin long-lead work.
Items include composite rotor blades to reduce operating costs by 50% and provide for increased 3,400shp (2,500kW) power, an open avionics architecture to allow for unmanned air vehicle connectivity and introduction of the Joint Tactical Radio System; and improved transportability with folding blades, wing and stabiliser.
The Block 3 wish list includes: extending the range of the Lockheed Martin Longbow fire-control radar; introducing sensor and image fusion; upgrading the General Electric T700 engines to standard -701C or D configuration; an improved durability transmission, a new self protection suite; and an electronic maintenance system.
Army plans call for as much of the Block 3 package as can be funded to be retrofitted to the Block 1 AH-64Ds already delivered. The improvements would also be incorporated into helicopters still to be remanufactured and which will be completed to Block 2 standard. This includes the Arrowhead sensor suite, replacement processors, expanded auxiliary fuel system and digital map.
n US Congress has formally been notified of the long-awaited proposed sale of 16 Apache Longbows to Kuwait. The deal could be worth $2.1 billion, and includes the Lockheed Martin Arrowhead modernised target acquisition and designation system and eight Longbow fire-control radars.
Source: Flight International
