The new Boeing [BA] AH-64E Apache is back in the air, with the issue of a transmission component raised over the end of the year holiday resolved, according to Army and company officials.
Army Apache Project Manager Col. Jeff Hager said the service is still fixing transmissions and putting the helicopters back in the air, giving a nod to the swift resolution of the problem.
This is not the first time the new Apache variant faced with a transmission issue. Earlier, the Boeing’s transmission supplier Wynnchurch Capital
’s Northstar Aerospace had financial issues–since resolved– that delayed manufacturing of some transmissions.
In mid-December a planetary nut came loose in a transmission, said David Koopersmith, Boeing vice president Attack Helicopter programs, at a company breakfast for the media Jan. 16. The fix ensures that the nut–what officials are calling a threaded component in the transmission–will “never come loose again.” That transmission fix also went through dynamic and static testing before heading out to units.
“I’m confident in the fix,” Koopersmith said. But it reminds him of how technically challenging weapons systems of today are, and the power a team effort can bring to bear.
AH-64Es have been in service with the Army since 2011, the 1-229 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash., and the 1-25 Aviation Regiment at Ft. Carson, Colo. The last of the reworked transmissions has gone to Lewis McChord and Jan. 16 the last reworked transmission was expected to leave for Ft. Carson, Colo.
“This has been the single most prominent teaming effort and success we’ve had to date,” Hager said. It was the first big issue to come after the helicopter began fielding. Within a couple of weeks, the problem was identified and the solution in execution.
The transmission issue only involved AH-64E helicopters, not other models.
The issue also involved grounding six AH-64E helicopters Taiwan acquired from the United States and delivered in November, after the military was notified of the transmission issue, according to the Dec. 19 Taipei Times.
Taiwan is spending some $2 billion for 30AH-64E helicopters.
Since the AH-64E still is under what could be described as a warranty, Boeing will foot the rotorcraft repair bills.