Apache dons its warpaint
ADM visited Boeing's Mesa plant, the home of the Apache, the day after the company's Air 87 bid went in. Boeing is highly confident about the AH-64D Apache's prospects in the Air 87 contest despite being branded as one of the most expensive contenders in a project which is understood to be firmly cost-capped.
There is no denying the Apache's heritage and sheer capability, but the company believes the Apache is the most cost-effective solution and offers the lowest program risks. It is the only helicopter offered to Australia, maintains Boeing, which can meet the ADF's operational requirement across the entire operational spectrum, from general war to peace-keeping and humanitarian operations, without modification. Boeing hasn't disclosed the price it has offered the Commonwealth, but believes that as well being very cost-effective, it is also very competitive in straight dollar terms.
Boeing built some 937 AH-64A Apaches between 1986 and 1997 for the US Army and export customers. Nearly 700 of the newer-generation AH-64D have been ordered by the US Army (in two multi-year batches running until 2006), Israel, Egypt, the UK, Holland and an undisclosed customer under the codename 'Peace Vanguard'. The Apache is also being examined closely by South Korea, Taiwan and Australia.
The US Army's A-model Apaches are being re-manufactured at Mesa to D-model specification, with 501 aircraft already programmed for the upgrade under two separate Multi-Year Procurement contracts worth a total of US$3.49 billion, and a further 240 expected to be upgraded under future contracts. Some export customers' aircraft are also being remanufactured but most export customers will receive new-build aircraft. Boeing is tendering 21 aircraft for Project Air 87, built to the same configuration as the US Army's second multi-year buy (MY2), which includes Reliability and Maintainability enhancements as well as an improved FLIR sensor and digital messaging system. The MY2 contract also includes a ten year life cycle contractor support agreement as well as extra training systems to support the MY1 aircraft.
The D-model aircraft embodies a number of changes designed to improve affordability and battlefield effectiveness. The most important of these is the Longbow radar system and associated sensors and processors to generate unprecedented situational awareness in real time and to share that between both airborne Apaches and friendly ground forces. Although the baseline Apache offered to the ADF doesn't include the radar itself and the Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI) which detects and locates hostile radar sensors, the reduce cost, this is an option and the other passive sensors and connectivity are part of the baseline fit, including the Longbow data modem.
The Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) is a low-power sensor employing Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) technology. Designed to detect, classify and prioritise targets in the ground surveillance and targeting and air to air targeting modes, it has a 270 degree field of view (FOV) and an 8km range, bestowing the ability to survey 150km2 at a time. The RFI has 360 degree coverage, detects hostile transmissions from aircraft and air defence sites, can estimate target range and cues the FCR for a closer look and an appropriate response.
Australia's Apaches would come with the MY2 configuration's Modernised Target Acquisition and Designation Sight (MTADS), an 8-12 micron FLIR with four fields of view and a laser rangefinder/designator and ADT TV with three fields of view and considerably reduced maintenance and support costs. The aircraft also carries the Pilots Night Vision System (PNVS), an independent electro-optical sensor, and the pilot is equipped with the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS). The avionics allows radar-generated symbology and tactical data - even that from other aircraft and sources - to be overlaid on the pilot's and gunner's FLIR display.
The Apache is currently equipped with the improved data modem which allows Apaches to send and receive tactical and sensor data. Australia would be one of the first customers to receive a planned enhanced digital messaging system based on the US joint variable messaging format. This very high level of connectivity allows each aircraft to cover a wider area of influence than was previously possible, with unprecedented situational awareness and while maintaining mutual support. Boeing says this connectivity enables just three aircraft to cover a 40-50km frontage between them.
The ADF has requested a ground mission management station as part of the Air 87 package; Boeing's offering is PC-based incorporating a Military Geographic Information (MGI) system, mission planning and mission data transfer system, combat net radio, and the data modem for connectivity with the aircraft. In US Army service this also has connectivity to the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System and JSTARS.
The US Army's Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) results endorsed the AH-64D enhancements: compared with the AH-64A, which was no mean performer in its day, the D-model Apache proved four times as lethal, seven times as survivable and spent 77 per cent less time unmasked to search for targets. Also, in a trial involving three day and 12 night missions, six D-model aircraft suffered no fratricide incidents while 8 A-model Apaches suffered 34 "blue on blue" contacts.
In Australia, Boeing has refined these numbers in various scenarios with DSTO, both on Ex Phoenix 97 and more recently in Boeing's Systems Analysis Laboratory in Brisbane. The company has modelled campaign, mission, and engagement scenarios as well as more generic systems and engineering issues. One of the missions it modelled for DSTO was a services-protected evacuation which, Boeing says, demonstrated that two Apaches were more effective than 2 to four of any of the other aircraft competing for the Air 87 contract.
The Apache has a self-ferry range of 1,648km with four external fuel tanks, a combat radius of 533km in the peace-keeping role with a mixed load of rockets, Hellfire missiles, external tanks and air to air missiles, or a radius of 392km or 4.5hr endurance in the recce role with one tank, one rocket pod and four Hellfires.
Of particular interest to the ADF is the UK's plan to operate its WAH-64 Apaches off assault ships and aircraft carriers - Australia plans to do the same with its own armed reconnaissance helicopters when circumstances demand. Boeing has developed a manual blade fold system for the UK which is available for both new build customers and as a retrofit, and the company and US Army have also amassed a database of maritime expertise based on Apache deployments aboard carriers and assault ships in the Gulf and the Caribbean.
The US Army's Apache growth path includes Link 16, new high-technology engines, a new rotor (possibly a five-blade unit) and hub, an uprated drive train, connectivity with UAVs to exploit their data and imagery (this capability has already been demonstrated), and a rotorcraft pilot's associate - a cognitive decision aid derived from cockpit work being carried out on the RAH-66 Comanche program in which Boeing is a partner. The Apache will ultimately also be fitted with the SIRFC and SIIRCM EW self-protection systems which DSTO is currently studying at Salisbury, SA, under the US-Australia EW Project Arrangement.
This level of capability doesn't come cheap, but Boeing remains confident it offers the best value for money and the lowest risk - in particular, it offers a lifetime link to the US Army's future Apache development and modernisation programs. It also embodies most of the Army's aspirations for connectivity and shared situational awareness, developed to a high level of proficiency at the US Army's expense. Air 87 project sources have told ADM their brief is to identify the best value for money, and that they have the wherewithal to pay for it, so one can't dismiss the possibility that price will be a less-critical determinant of who wins the contract than some had anticipated.
By Gregor Ferguson, Mesa, Arizona