The Japan Defence Agency (JDA) is about to make a decision between the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow and Bell AH-1Z Super Cobra as its choice of new AH-X attack helicopter, with both rival US manufacturers eager to secure a major win after losing the Australian Army's AIR 87 competition to the Eurocopter Tiger (Flight International, 14-20 August).
The Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) is understood to have completed the evaluation and forwarded its finding to the JDA for a final selection and announcement by the end of this month. Recent cuts in the JDA budget have trimmed the planned initial buy to just 10 AH-Xs over the next five years, with an eventual requirement for 50-55 machines.
Boeing's Apache is widely regarded as the preferred choice and clear competition front runner. This is reflected by Japan's traditional military helicopter manufacturer, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), dropping its long-standing partnership with Bell in favour of a deal with its US rival.
Bell says it remains confident that the lower-cost AH-1Z will prevail in Japan and, in the absence of FHI, it has teamed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Bell points to Australia's decision to list the AH-1Z rather than Apache as a Tiger alternative if a deal is not concluded with Eurocopter.
AH-X will replace the JGSDF's 86 FHI-built AH-1Fs from 2004 with an initial two or three new attack helicopters. A contract award is expected within nine months of the final down selection.
Lockheed Martin in the meantime has delivered the first Hawkeye target sight system to Bell to equip the AH-1Z for the US Marine Corps.
Source: Flight International
