Army Signs For More
The US Army paved the way for continued modernization of the
world's most capable multi-role combat helicopter by signing the
first production engineering contract with Boeing for Block
III AH-64D Apache Longbows.
The research, development, test and evaluation contract, signed
in a virtual ceremony June 28 in Washington, DC, Huntsville, AL,
and Mesa, AZ, provides FY05 funding of non-recurring engineering
costs for Block III enhancements for Apache Longbow attack
helicopters. The total value for Boeing of the developmental
contract is $27.2 million. Additional contracts, for further
engineering and production work, are anticipated as the program
matures.
"The Block III technologies have been selected in answer to
requirements specified by the US Army's Apache Operational
Requirement Document," said Al Winn, Boeing vice president of
Apache programs. "Army and Boeing leadership listened to
battlefield commanders and aviators to make certain that the Block
III technologies enhance crew effectiveness."
Production of Block III Apaches will begin in 2010 following
completion of current Apache production work that has been on-going
in Mesa since the Apache program began.
Apache Longbow Block III incorporates 25 technology insertions,
providing Network-Centric warfare capabilities in the multi-role
combat helicopter for the Army's future force. To enable
battlespace dominance, the program will incoporate open systems
architecture, wideband network communications, extended range
sensing, level IV unmanned aerial vehicle control, extended range
fire control radar, extended range missiles, and data fusion to
merge off- and on-board sensor imagery.
With improved aircraft flight performance and reduced operations
and support costs, the modernized helicopter will be an important
bridge to the future for the US Army. The Block III Apache Longbow
will interface with today's Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and Future
Combat Systems with a fully compatible and rapidly reconfigurable
open systems architecture mission processor design. Other key
benefits to the US Army include a reduced logistics footprint, and
improved readiness and deployability.
The virtual signing ceremony was conducted simultaneously in
three time zones. US Army and Boeing leaders signed the contract
that will ensure that Army warfighters and joint operations forces
commanders are equipped with a modernized helicopter that can be
deployed and interface effectively with joint forces, coordinating
information and weapons capabilities in battle.