Boeing Wins Contract For 126 Remanufactured AH-64s

Aero-News has learned Boeing and the US Army recently signed a $1.149 billion contract for the remanufacture of 96 AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters for the Army, and another 30 AH-64Ds for the United Arab Emirates.

"Signing this extended Block II contract is significant for many reasons," said David Almond, Boeing Apache Block II program manager. "The firm, fixed-price contract for 126 aircraft brings considerable work to the Mesa, AZ Apache production facility as well as to team Apache suppliers around the world."

"It also ensures a 'warm' assembly line for the US Army and our international customers as we move forward with current and future Apache production commitments in the next decade," Almond added. "That's great news for the entire program."

Boeing will deliver the first remanufactured Apache Longbow produced under the new contract to the US Army in October. Work began in March 2006 following the award of a long-lead agreement.

The contract brings the total number of remanufactured U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters to 597. The U.S. Army has ordered an additional 27 new-build Apaches as war-replacement aircraft.

The US Army Apache Longbow aircraft, to be built in the Block II configuration, are in addition to the 501 remanufactured AH-64D Apache Longbows built between 1997 and 2006 under two five-year, multi-year contracts. Under a foreign military sales agreement, the United Arab Emirates is upgrading its fleet of AH-64A Apache helicopters to the next-generation configuration.

"An attitude of teamwork means cost savings for both the U.S. Army and the United Arab Emirates, ensuring that the soldiers who fly and maintain the aircraft have the capabilities to successfully complete their vital missions," Almond added.

The Apache Longbow helicopters feature fully integrated avionics and weapons and can rapidly detect, classify, prioritize and engage stationary and moving opposition targets at standoff ranges in nearly all weather environments. It is an adaptable rotorcraft platform, with a state-of-the-art modem transmitting real-time, secure digitized battlefield information to air and ground forces.

FMI: www.army.mil, www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5444.htm, www.boeing.com