SENIOR UK AND DUTCH defence officials met at the beginning of September to discuss setting up a joint support-structure following the two countries' purchase of McDonnell Douglas AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.

David Hughes, director of helicopter projects at the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Procurement Executive, met with his counterparts in the Netherlands earlier this month for what are described as " preliminary discussions".

With the UK the largest buyer, the bulk of any joint support-programme would likely to be implemented in the UK by Westland. The company led the successful AH-64D Longbow Apache bid for the British Army Air Corps's (AAC's) attack-helicopter programme.

The MoD and Westland are now working toward contract signature in January 1997, covering the acquisition of 67 WAH-64D Longbow Apaches.

It remains uncertain whether the contract will provide a fixed configuration for the WAH-64D or whether the MoD and Westland will opt for a baseline configuration allowing for greater flexibility.

Key systems have yet to be specified for the WAH-64D, including the choice of the forward-looking infra-red sensor and the defensive-aids subsystem (DASS).

It is believed that the Northrop Grumman Nemesis directed infra-red-countermeasures (DIRCM) active infra-red missile-engagement system will be fitted to all of the AAC's WAH-64Ds. The turret-mounted DIRCM will be fully integrated with the passive DASS.

It is also understood that there is a divergence within the MoD over whether to provide the AAC with an advanced binocular helmet-mounted sight, or to stick with the monocular helmet and sighting system used by the US Army.

A decision to move to a more advanced helmet would almost certainly require core software changes in the cockpit design, with a concomitant cost increase.

In opting for the WAH-64, the MoD also specified that all of its 67 aircraft be fitted with the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engine. The first Apache, to be fitted with these engines is scheduled to be flown in 1996.

Source: Flight International