Boeing set to manufacture 184 AH-64E Apaches for the U.S. Army and overseas users

Boeing has confirmed it is to build 184 AH-64E Apaches for the U.S. Army as well as several international customers. This will include the first Apaches for Australia. This latest award, valued at US$1.9 billion, will bring the total current funded value of the contract to US$2.1 billion. Future obligations have the potential to see this value to increase to over US$3.8 billion. “We are enhancing the U.S. Army’s attack fleet, while supporting additional partner nations and welcoming our newest Apache customer, the Australian Army,” said Christina Upah, Vice President of Attack Helicopter Programs and senior Boeing Mesa site executive. “This contract highlights the need for Apaches worldwide.”

The U.S. Army will be provided with 115 remanufactured Apaches, plus a further 15 Apaches to be procured as options, resulting in significant savings to taxpayers. The additional 54 aircraft will be delivered to international partners as part of Foreign Military Sales. This latest award follows on from the U.S. Army’s Apache fleet exceeding five million flight hours, a milestone which proves that the AH-64 is one of the most capable, reliable and versatile attack helicopter. “This multi-year contract is critical for the warfighter and the entire Apache team,” said Col. John (Jay) Maher, U.S. Army Apache project manager. “It demonstrates the Army’s commitment to continue putting unmatched capability into the hands of our nation’s finest, while providing stability and predictability for the outstanding citizens and companies that pour their talent into producing the best attack helicopter in the world.”

Boeing Global Services will continue to deliver optimal readiness for the AH-64E including training devices, spare provisions, support and test equipment kits, depot support, field engineering and technical manuals. Principal advantages in the technical publication area enable a streamlined process approach to re-use data which reduces operational and sustainment costs. Under the first multi-year contract, signed in 2017, Boeing has delivered 244 remanufactured Apaches to the U.S. Army and 24 new-build aircraft to an international customer. The AH-64E, is built at Boeing’s site in Mesa, Arizona. There are currently over 1,275 Apaches in operation worldwide. (£1.00 = US$1.22 at time of publication).