The Government of Australia has unveiled plans to procure 29 new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Australian Army.
The new AH-64E helicopters will replace the service’s current Tiger helicopters.
“Boeing will continue to expand its industry capability and supply chain in Australia by selecting Australian suppliers to support this critical programme,” Boeing Defence Australia managing director Scott Carpendale mentioned.
The AH-64E Apache superior and fully-integrated capabilities are fight confirmed by greater than 1.2 million fight flight hours in service with the US Army and a world fleet of greater than 1200 helicopters throughout 16 international locations. The Apache is essentially the most examined, confirmed attack helicopter flying at the moment, with greater than 4.6 million flight hours by the US Army alone.
According to Boeing Australia, the one platform that meets the entire Australian Army’s anticipated LAND 4503 program (that goals to acquire a confirmed and mature, off-the-shelf manned armed helicopter to ship armed reconnaissance results within the shut and deep contested battlespace in help of the Australian Defence Force) necessities with out modification, the AH-64E Apache provides confirmed Link 16 networking and Manned Unmanned Teaming Unmanned Aerial System integration functionality at the moment.
The different contenders for LAND 4503 program had been the Bell AH-1Z Viper and the ARH Tiger Upgrade.
The Apache’s overseas navy sale course of offers value certainty via the settlement between the US Government and Australia. Under this association, Australia can even profit from mature help providers, in addition to future upgrades.
The Australian Government additionally introduced plans to procure 12 MH-60R Romeo maritime helicopters.
The helicopters, which can replace the Navy’s current Taipan fleet, shall be based mostly at HMAS Albatross. Another Romeo helicopter, that can replace the one misplaced final 12 months, can even be based mostly on the naval air station.
According to Army Technology, the deliveries of the new helicopters will begin from 2025.
Photo credit score: Boeing Australia
Dario Leone
Dario Leone is an aviation, protection and navy author. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of many world’s most learn navy aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and different information media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.