The Westland Apache AH1 has entered service with the British Army. The Army Air Corps accepted the first nine of 67 machines on 16 January and has started its training programme. Westland is prime contractor for the £2 billion ($2.9 billion) Apache programme. Unlike Boeing-delivered AH-64s, the UK Apache is powered by the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322, not the General Electric T700. The BAE Systems Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids suite is also UK specific, and includes chaff and flare dispensing, tested last month (below).
Source: Flight International