UK AH MK1 Apache - on budget, on target

The £2.2 billion prime contract for 67 AH Mk1 Apache helicopters was awarded to Westland in March 1996. Eight AH Mk1 aircraft have been manufactured by Boeing in the US with the other 59 being assembled by Westland in the UK.The programme is on schedule and on budget and to date 22 aircraft have been delivered to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) which are supported by a full Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) infrastructure.

Westland continues to meet major milestones in the manufacturing process which has reached the halfway point with production now peaking at two aircraft a month.

With the completion of both the In Service Date (ISD) and initial Military Aircraft Release (MAR) phases, the programme focus for the next year centres on discharging the activities to support further stages of the MoD's MAR programme.These will include the release of MAR 5 due at the start of 2003 and MAR 6 in August 2003, which will enable clearance for the full deployment of the aircraft's suite of weapons.

In addition to MAR, further trials planning is underway to extend the already advanced capability of Apache which will include supplemental Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS) trials to be followed by a snow trial in 2003 and Ship Helicopter Operating Limits (SHOL) trials in 2004.

Capability enhancements are now being planned for the UK Apache and Westland is working in close collaboration with the MoD on future modernisation proposals and innovative solutions for the through-life support of the aircraft.

The first Apache to be built to full specification standard which includes HIDAS, UK upgraded communications, Health Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS), Collective Training System (CTS) and Low Height Warning (LHW) will be delivered in January 2003.

Aviation Training International Ltd, a joint venture between Westland and Boeing is providing a range of training packages. Maintenance and groundcrew training courses are now in progress and the Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for aircrew is operational at Middle Wallop.

The AH Mk1 Apache is a version of the US Army Apache AH-64D and will replace the Lynx Mk7 TOW system in the anti-armour role. It is powered by Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines whereas AH-64D is fitted with GE T701 engines. The aircraft will be equipped with the latest technology Longbow fire control radar, Hellfire missiles, both laser and radio frequency guided versions, CRV7 ground suppression rocket system and the 30mm cannon.

REF XQQEE XQQLD XQQAR