The US Army has released funding to continue evaluation of the Shorts Missile Systems Starstreak as a self-protection weapon for the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems (MDHS) AH-64 Apache gunship.
In late December, Shorts was awarded a $2 million increment as part of a $13 million contract to continue the Air-to-Air Starstreak (ATASK) technical demonstration programme. The project is also supported by the UK.
The airborne weapon could become standard on the Apache attack helicopter should the US Army continue with plans to field an improved missile for helicopter air-to-air engagements.
The US Department of Defense says that the Apache, which is now armed with the Hellfire missile, 70mm rockets and a 30mm cannon, could use a weapon optimised for aerial engagements.
The Bell Helicopter Textron OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout aircraft has been fitted with the air-to-air Stinger missile system, but the US Army has no plans to mount it on the AH-64.
Source: Flight International
