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Tuesday, July 09, 2019

Bailing-Out Boeing: A Turn-Around > U.S. Army Plans To Grant For Production or Remanufacture Up to 600 AH-64e Apache Guardian Attack Helos

The contract's value is still undisclosed.

US Army to grant Boeing Contract for Production or Remanufacture of Up To 600 AH-64E Apaches

By Dario Leone Jul 9 2019

The US Army plans to grant Boeing a multiyear contract for the production or remanufacture of up to 600 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters. The contract’s value is still undisclosed.

The US Army plans to grant Boeing a multiyear contract for the production or remanufacture of up to 600 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters.

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According to a US Army notice online, the contract would consist of a five-year multiyear contract or one-year contract with options from FY2022 to FY2026. Its value is still undisclosed. As told by Flight Global, the army intends on sole sourcing the work to Boeing and posted its plan online so as to give other potentially interested parties a chance to bid.

In 2017, Boeing and the US government signed the first five-year, $3.4 billion contract through which the Army, and an undisclosed foreign military customer, were to acquire the “E” variant of the Apache. As part of that contract, the US Army was to receive 244 remanufactured Apaches, while 24 new ones were to go to the international customer.

Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in 2012, the Guardian was redesignated as AH-64E to represent its increased capabilities.

The AH-64E features improved digital connectivity, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), full IFR capability, and improved landing gear. New composite rotor blades, which successfully completed testing in 2004, increase cruise speed, climb rate, and payload capacity.

Deliveries began in November 2011. Full-rate production was approved on Oct. 24, 2012, with 634 AH-64Ds to be upgraded to AH-64E standard and production of 56 new-build AH-64Es to start in 2019/20. Changes in production lots 4 through 6 shall include a cognitive decision aiding system and new self-diagnostic abilities. The updated Longbow radar has an oversea capacity, potentially enabling naval strikes.