Paul Derby
Boeing has revealed a series of technological advances and research programmes designed to keep the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter effective on the battlefield over the next decade and beyond.
The manufacturer says the enhancements could be integrated either individually or as a package and they range from fundamental changes to the main rotor system, to the integration of a new missile system.
Buoyed by an $800 million contract win from Israel, unveiled at Asian Aerospace for the remanufacture of up to 24 AH-64As, Boeing says the key aims of its development work are affordability of build and operation, and reliability and lethality in the field.
The Affordable Apache Rotor Programme centres on the introduction of a five-blade rotor system, delivering improved performance while cutting acquisition, operating and support costs.
Boeing's Phantom Works is a key player and is working in partnership with the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate of the US Army to introduce new technologies. The work is pulled together under the title of the rotary wing structure technology demonstration and focuses on the Apache's fuselage centre section.
Meanwhile, Boeing also has a contract with the army to integrate and flight test the Raytheon Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) missile system aboard the Apache. The aim is to expand the military standard 1760 weapon system interface to support multiple missiles or a mix of missiles.
Fly-by-wire technology is being harnessed to bring all flight, engine and utility controls into one common processor unit under a programme that will benefit all Boeing's products. Position reports and targeting information will in future be transmitted via a tactical internet system, similar to the commercial internet, using on-board radios to transmit digital messages over the air.
Avionics improvements such as high-speed networks, processors and real-time operating systems are also in the pipeline and other studies are looking at high-frequency radio technology and drive train development.
Source: Flight Daily News
