Boeing receives US Army contract for initial production of AH-64D Apache helicopter

Boeing receives US Army contract for initial production of AH-64D Apache helicopter

2010-10-26 07:51:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

MESA, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) -- Boeing on Monday announced that it received a $247 million contract from the U.S. Army for beginning low rate initial production for the AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter, arguably the most advanced multirole-combat helicopter.

"The Apache Block III helicopter program is the cornerstone of our U.S. Army customer's plan of continued sustainment through modernization," said Tommy Filler, acting vice president of Boeing Apache and AH-6 Programs.

The contract was signed on October 22 and covers the production of eight AH-64D Apache helicopters in the Lot 1 configuration. On October 7, an Acquisition Decision Memorandum signed by the U.S. Department of Defense authorized the program to enter the low rate initial production phase to produce 51 aircraft. The first delivery is scheduled for October 2011.

"The road map for the Apache Block III program has been clearly defined and the U.S. Army and Boeing are successfully working together to provide these advanced attack helicopters to soldiers in the field," said Lt. Col. Dan Bailey, Apache Block III product manager for the U.S. Army.

The Apache Block III helicopter enhances the capabilities of the combat-proven AH-64D Apache with superior flight performance and increased networked communications capabilities. The helicopters will be assembled, flight tested and delivered from the Boeing Global Strike facility in Mesa, Arizona.

"Working together throughout the Apache Block III program's system development and demonstration phase since 2006, the Army, Boeing and our industry teammates have achieved our objectives on cost and on schedule," said Scott Rudy, Apache Block III program manager for Boeing. "I'm confident that the team will continue to effectively apply its collective expertise as the program moves into the production phase."

The aviators will benefit from an improved drive system featuring the 701D engine, composite main rotor blades and a new split-torque face gear transmission, as well as increased networked communications capabilities.

The Apache Block III also features open systems architecture and 26 advanced technology improvements, including level 4 unmanned aerial vehicle control for increased situational awareness.

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