Bell and Northrop Grumman/ Lockheed Martin are targeting the proposed Longbow radar-equipped AH-1Z at Taiwan, following the US Government's recent refusal to supply the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow. Meanwhile, Japan is due to decide between the two machines within a month.
Taiwan wants to acquire a radar-equipped attack helicopter for use in littoral areas to counter the amphibious threat posed by mainland China (Flight International, 19-26 June). The island already operates a fleet of AH-1Ws, which it is considering modernising to the new four-blade AH-1Z standard.
Bell is proposing a foreign military sales version of the Super Cobra, available for delivery from 2005. Bell and Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman are looking for a launch customer to develop the Cobra Radar System, which would be repackaged into a stub-wing mounted pod.
The export variant of the helicopter would also feature the ITT ALQ-211 Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures and digital communications.
Boeing is hoping the US Government will again review release of the AH-64D Apache Longbow to Taiwan next year. The country had wanted to order up to 75 helicopters for delivery from 2005.
Apache is widely regarded as Japan's preferred choice for its AH-X requirement, and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force is due to forward its recommendation next month to the Japan Defence Agency for approval. Plans call for the funding of the first 10 machines between 2003-06 of a total buy of 50 machines.
Attention will then switch to South Korea and Australia, which are planning to order 36 and up to 24 helicopters respectively. Both decisions are due by the end of the year.
Source: Flight International
