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.

FMI: www.boeing.com