Boeing will remanufacture an additional five US Army Apache attack helicopters to AH-64E standard and build 16 new aircraft of the same model for an international customer under a contract modification agreement announced on July 21.
This award, from the US Department of Defense, is a modification to the multi-year contract awarded to Boeing in March, bringing the new total Apaches to produce to 205.
The new AH-64Es are being produced as an extension of a Foreign Military Sales agreement in which Boeing would build 184 AH-64Es for the US Army and international customers, including Australia.
It was announced at the time that the $1.9 billion award brought the total financed value of the contract to $2.1 billion and has the potential to increase to more than $3.8 billion with future obligations.
Under the agreement, the US Army will receive 115 remanufactured Apaches, with an additional 15 to be purchased as options, ensuring significant savings for taxpayers.
The additional 54 aircraft will be delivered to partner countries as part of the FMS (Foreign Military Sales).
The AH-64Es are being provided to a variety of international customers, including Australia, India, Morocco, and the United Kingdom, and several other countries are considering the helicopter type, including Germany, Israel, Kuwait, and Poland.
The AH-64 Apache is a high-capacity, twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear and a tandem cockpit designed for a two-person crew. It is equipped with a nose-mounted sensor suite for precise target acquisition and advanced night vision systems. Armed with a 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 chain gun positioned between the main landing gear, under the aircraft’s forward fuselage, and four hardpoints mounted on the short wing pylons,
Boeing Global Services will continue to provide comprehensive support, including training devices, spare supplies, test and support equipment kits, depot support, field engineering, and technical manuals, ensuring optimal combatant readiness.
Previously known as the AH-64D Block III, the aircraft was redesignated the AH-64E Guardian in 2012, incorporating various updates and improvements. These enhancements include improved digital connectivity, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with improved front gear transmission, allowing for higher power handling, the ability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), full IFR capability, and improved landing gear.
In addition, the AH-64E is equipped with new composite rotor blades, improving cruise speed, rate of climb, and payload capacity. Deliveries of the AH-64E began in November 2011, and full-rate production was approved on October 24, 2012, with plans to upgrade 634 AH-64Ds to AH-64Es.
Production lots 4 through 6 have seen additional upgrades, including a cognitive decision support system and new self-diagnostic capabilities. The upgraded Longbow radar also possesses an overseas capability, which could allow for naval strikes, considering an AESA radar. The AH-64E is equipped with the L-3 Communications MUMT-X data link, which enables communication on the C, D, L, and Ku frequency bands to transmit and receive data and video with all Army UAVs.
In addition, Lots 5 and 6 are equipped with Link 16 data links. The AH-64E has been designed for maritime use, and interest has been expressed in extended-range fuel tanks for increased endurance. As of April 2020, 500 AH-64Es have been successfully delivered.
MilitaryLeak
