The UK signed an inter-governmental agreement with the US for the procurement of 50 AH-64Es in July 2016. In April 2016, the US Army returned 117 AH-64 D models to be remanufactured as Apache AH-64E, under a $1.5bn contract. The fuselages were delivered by the long-time supplier Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). In July 2012, Boeing received the first batch of ten new fuselages for block III production. The helicopters are then shipped to Boeing in Mesa, Arizona, to incorporate the AH-64D Apache block III. The disassembly, inspection and repair works take place at the SES West Aviation and Integration Facility in Huntsville. It was assigned the task of disassembly, inspection, and repair of the AH-64D Apache helicopters. Science Engineering Services (SES) is a partner to Boeing in upgrading the AH-64D helicopters to the block III configuration. First flight of the Apache Block III was in July 2008. The block III system development and demonstration (SDD) contract was awarded to Boeing in July 2006. The new blades, which successfully completed flight testing in May 2004, increase the Apache’s cruise speed, climb rate, and payload capability. In December 2009, the maiden flight test of AH-64D Apache with block III structures was completed.īlock III includes increasing digitisation, the joint tactical radio system, enhanced engines and drive systems, the capability to control UAVs, and new composite rotor blade. In July 2005, the US Army awarded Boeing a development contract for block III improvements, which entered service in 2011. In October 2007, Boeing delivered the first extended block II to the US Army. Block II included upgrades to the digital communications systems of 96 A-model Apaches to improve communications within the ‘tactical internet’. The first of the upgraded block II Apaches was delivered to the US Army in February 2003. Taiwan’s Apache AH-64E became fully operational in 2018. It took delivery of the first six Block III helicopters in November 2013 The delivery of the final batch was completed in 2014. In June 2011, Taiwan placed a $2.5bn order for 30 AH-64D Apache block III helicopters. In September 2003, Greece signed a contract for 12 (plus four options) AH-64D Longbow, also to be fitted with HIDAS. The Kuwaiti Apaches are equipped with BAE Systems HIDAS defensive aids system. The first was delivered in February 2007. Kuwait ordered 16 AH-64D helicopters in September 2002. The Apache for Japan is designated AH-64DJP and is armed with Stinger air-to-air missiles. In August 2001, the AH-64D was selected by the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force with a requirement for 55 helicopters. In October 2008, Taiwan requested the sale of 30 AH-64D Block III Apaches. In June 2006, Saudi Arabia requested the upgrade of 12 Apaches to the AH-64D standard and, in September 2008, the sale of 12 new AH-64Ds. The deliveries of the upgraded aircraft began in May 2008. The company also upgraded a total of 30 UAE Apache helicopters to AH-64D Longbow standard. The Royal Netherlands Air Force received its first AH-64D Apache and first Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III aircraft in May 1998 and May 2012, respectively.Ī number of AH-64A helicopters were upgraded to AH-64D standard for South Korea. The Block III was redesignated as AH-64E in 2012.Īpache international orders and deliveries The first helicopter under the contract was delivered in October 2011. The contract called for the production of 51 AH-64D Apache Block III helicopters for the US Army. The US Army awarded a $247m contract to Boeing in October 2010 to start low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter. The first new-build AH-64D was delivered to the US Army in June 2007 and the first of the additional remanufactured helicopters in October 2007. The US Army ordered 96 additional remanufactured helicopters in January 2007 and 18 new-build helicopters in April 2007.ĭuring the same year, 30 AH-64Ds were ordered by the UAE. Boeing upgraded the 501 AH-64A Apaches to AH-64D standard and completed the deliveries in August 2006.Īn additional 13 new-build Apaches were initially ordered, along with another 11 in November 2006. The AH-64D Longbow is fitted with the Longbow millimetre wave fire control radar and the Longbow Hellfire missile. It was deployed by the US Army in Afghanistan as part of Operation Anaconda in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and, from June 2003, in South Korea. The first Apache AH-64D Longbow was delivered in April 1997 to the US Army. The aircraft was used in Operation Desert Storm and supported low intensity and peacekeeping operations worldwide, including in Turkey, Bosnia and Kosovo. It was first used in combat in 1989 in the US military action in Panama. The helicopter completed more than four million flight hours, including 1.3 million in combat operations.
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