Morocco cleared to buy 36 Apache helos
20 November 2019
"Morocco looks set to become the latest customer for the AH-64E Apache Guardian , with 36 helicopters and associated weapons and equipment approved by the US government on 20 November. Source: IHS Markit/Kelvin Wong
Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 20 November, the US State Department approval covers the latest-variant Apache helicopters, as well as related equipment, weapons, training, and support.
The equipment listed in the DSCA notification is standard to the AH-64E, while the weapons comprise Lockheed Martin AGM-114L/R Hellfire air-to-surface missiles; BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket kits and over 5,000 70 mm rockets; and Raytheon AIM-92H Stinger air-to-air missiles.
Defensive countermeasures will also be provided for the helicopters, as will Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) equipment for the on-board control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF), which operates all the military's aviation assets, does not currently field a dedicated attack helicopter. The 24 Aerospatiale SA342L Gazelle helicopters it currently operates in the light attack role were procured from 1978 and need replacing.
Want to read more?
For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options at ihsmarkit.com/janes
Here's the announcement from https://www.defenseworld.net/news
Boeing, Lockheed Bag 36 Apache Helicopters Deal with Morocco worth $4.25B
"The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of 36 AH-64E Apache armed attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.25 billion.The helicopters will come armed with Hellfire and AIM-92H Stinger missiles besides Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS).
The prime contractors involved in this program will be Boeing Company, Mesa, AZ and Lockheed Martin, Orlando, FL.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 19, 2019.
_______________________________________________________________
"The proposed sale will improve Morocco's ability to face current and future threats, and improve interoperability with US forces and other allied forces," says the DSCA message. “Morocco will use the enhanced capacity to strengthen its national defense and provide close air support to its forces. Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing the Apache plane in its armed forces. "
( This information is from https://upnewsinfo.com/2019/11/21 )
> The Apache AH-64E helicopter is designed to increase power margins, reliability and lethality to ensure that Apache is a viable combat force in large-scale combat operations.
> The AH-64E is the current evolution of the Apache that designed and equipped with an open systems architecture that includes the latest communications, navigation, sensors and weapons systems.> The E model has multiple updates to its predecessors, such as
- the improved Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight / Pilot Night Vision system, which includes a new integrated infrared laser that allows for easier target designation and enhanced infrared imaging capabilities.
- Its fire control radar has been updated with the ability to operate in maritime mode, allowing Apache to work in all environments.
- Guardian crew members have the ability to receive videos of Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Apache cabin, control UAS sensors and direct the UAS flight path.
- Crew members can also share real-time situational awareness of the operating environment and enemy forces with soldiers on the ground. With the improvement of situational awareness, flight performance and joint interoperability, the AH-64E has become the most advanced helicopter in the world.
The Government of Morocco has requested a possible sale of
- 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters (24 new, 12 optional);
- 79 T700-GE-701D engines (72 installed, 6 spares);
- 36 AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS);
- 18 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronic Units (REU);
- 18 AN/APR-48B Modernized - Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI).
- Included are
- 551 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles (441 new, 110 optional);
- 60 AGM-114L Hellfire missiles;
- 72 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM);
- 588 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) kits (478 installed, 110 optional);
- 78 Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGIs) (72 installed, 6 spares);
- 39 AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (36 installed, 3 spares); and
- 200 AIM-92H Stinger missiles.
- (21) Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) video receivers (18 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) air-air-ground kits (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) AN/APR-39D(V)2 radar signal detecting sets (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) AN/AVR-2B laser detecting sets (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) AN/APX-123 or AN/APX-123A common transponders (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) IDM-401 Improved Data Modems (36 new, 3 spares)
- (6) Link-16 terminals;
- (39) Improved Countermeasure Dispensing System (ICMD) (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) AN/ARN-149 (V)3 automatic direction finders (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) Doppler ASN-157 Doppler radar velocity sensors (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) AN/APN-209 radar altimeters (36 installed, 3 spares);
- (39) AN/ARN-153 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) sets (36 installed, 3 spares)
- (4) TACAN ground stations;
- (36) Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range/Instrument Landing Systems (VOR/ILS) (36 installed, 3 new);
- (12) AN/PYQ-10(C) simple key loader (12 new).
_________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
The AH-64E, also known as Apache Guardian, is the world's premier attack helicopter
http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/ah_64e.htm
