Tue, Oct 26, 2010
Eight Block III Helos To Be Built For $247 Million
The U.S. Army has given the go-ahead to Boeing to begin Low Rate
Initial Production (LRIP) for the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache
Block III helicopter. The contract, announced Monday, is reportedly
worth $247 million and covers production of eight Apache Block III
helicopters in the Lot 1 configuration. It was signed by the U.S.
government October 22.
Apache AH-64D
An Acquisition Decision Memorandum signed by the Department of
Defense on October 7 authorized the program to enter the LRIP phase
to produce 51 aircraft. The first LRIP delivery is scheduled for
October 2011. The Apache Block III helicopter enhances the
capabilities of the combat-proven AH-64D Apache by delivering
superior flight performance and dramatically increased networked
communications capabilities. "The road map for the Apache Block III
program has been clearly defined and the U.S. Army and Boeing are
successfully working together to provide these advanced attack
helicopters to soldiers in the field," said Lt. Col. Dan Bailey,
Apache Block III product manager for the Army.
"Working together throughout the Apache Block III program's
system development and demonstration phase since 2006, the Army,
Boeing and our industry teammates have achieved our objectives on
cost and on schedule," said Scott Rudy, Apache Block III program
manager for Boeing. "I'm confident that the team will continue to
effectively apply its collective expertise as the program moves
into the production phase."
The current Army acquisition objective is for 690 AH-64D Apache
Block III aircraft. The helicopters will be assembled, flight
tested and delivered from the Boeing Global Strike facility in
Mesa. Key enhancements for aviators will include an improved drive
system featuring the 701D engine, composite main rotor blades and a
new split-torque face gear transmission, as well as increased
networked communications capabilities.
Apache AH-64D
The Apache Block III features open systems architecture and 26
advanced technology improvements, including level 4 unmanned aerial
vehicle control for increased situational awareness. This
helicopter configuration has already demonstrated the flexibility
to rapidly integrate technology changes throughout its service
life.
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