Boeing‘s [BA] prototype AH-64D Apache Block III PVD-Model 27 has accrued 12 hours as it incrementally tests the latest capabilities that will significantly improve the multi-mission helicopter.
The helicopter first flew in late June, followed by an official first flight and audience of more than 300 industry, military and civilian onlookers July 9.
The Block III will have sensors with an increased range to extend reconnaissance and target acquisition, improved survivability for operational effectiveness, reduced lifecycle costs to make it affordable, a networking architecture with instantaneous data fusion and streaming video and increased performance to make it more maneuverable and agile.
Among those viewing the first flight were officials from Lockheed Martin [LMT] and General Electric [GE], each of which has a contract with the government–separate from Apache prime contractor Boeing–for Block III equipment.
Bob Gunning, Lockheed Martin vice president for Apache programs, provides the Arrowhead, modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor, and the Longbow Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) that will provide Apache crews with a two-way, high-bandwidth datalink to control unmanned aerial systems at long ranges and receive high-quality UAS imagery on their multi-function displays. The imagery can be distributed to other air and ground platforms.
Apache crews would be able to access the video the UAV is looking at, and get Level 4 control in the cockpit, Gunning told Defense Daily at first flight ceremonies earlier in the month. Apache crews will be able to “do all but fly” the UAV, change its route, manipulate the sensor or the UAV.
It is a “revolution in the way attack helicopters fly…they’ll have a ‘personal scout,'” Gunning said.
The UTA will be tested in simulation on the ground through August, and then take flight over the next couple of months and undergo tests in Mesa, Ariz., on the Block III prototype.
UTA “will be on first lot of Apache Block III,” Gunning said.
Watching the flight closely as well was GE’s Jake Benjamin, director, Western Division, Military Engines, who said the prototype Block III avionics bird flying in Mesa is equipped with GE’s T-700-701D engines.
Controls for the -701D are not yet integrated and control certification will come in the next year, Jeff Martin, vice president and general manager New & Derivative Products, Military Systems Organization told sister publication Defense Daily.
The -701D upgrade is the latest in the T700 family of engines. The upgrade provides about three times the hot section life, or three times time-on-wing, GE says.
As of June 15, T700-equipped aircraft have logged over 1.24 million hours in Afghanistan and Iraq. The family as a whole has clocked up some 50 million hours.