, – Boeing [BA] has said the primary flight of the newest version of the Apache attack helicopter, the AH-64E Version 6.5, will occur at the top of the yr and that there isn’t a plan for the upgraded aircraft to fly with the Army’s recent General Electric Aviation
[GE]-built T901 helicopter engine.
K.J. Jolivette, Boeing’s vice chairman and general manager for vertical lift, confirmed to Defense Day by day “there just isn’t” a plan for the AH-64E Version 6.5 to be integrated with the GE T901 engine, developed under Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), while the long run Modernized Apache is predicted to fly with the brand new engine.
Jolivette previously said last September the next version of the Apache could possibly be integrated with the ITEP engine and a Boeing news release from March on the attack helicopter reaching 5 million flight hours stated Version 6.5 “will include updated software, and integrating the Army’s recent improved turbine engine” (Defense Day by day, Sept. 14 2022).
GE Aviation was awarded a $517 million contract in February 2019 to develop its T901 engine for ITEP, which is able to eventually power the Army’s AH-64 Apaches and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in addition to the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) platform.
Army officials confirmed in late April that delivery of the ITEP engine to Bell and Sikorsky, the 2 competitors working on FARA prototypes, is now set for this fall and said they’re “committed” to the system following several delays (Defense Day by day, April 28).
Jolivette told reporters during a media visit to the corporate’s Ridley Park, Pa., facility on Tuesday that it’s “neck and neck” on who will get the ITEP engines first between the Apache and Black Hawk programs.
The brand new Version 6.5 update for Apache, which is in development now, is predicted to further enhance the aircraft’s Link 16 capability and its ability to do manned-unmanned teaming with various kinds of unmanned aircraft, Jolivette said.
Boeing has also previously said Version 6.5 continues the attack helicopter’s path to being fully compliant with Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), including integration of an open system interface, to make sure capability for rapid insertion of latest technologies.
“Right away, we don’t have an actual cut-in date of when [Version 6.5] will likely be cut [into the fleet]. That’ll still be determined based on first flight and what happens on that,” Jolivette told reporters.
Jolivette said the long run Modernized Apache will proceed the MOSA approach and incorporate advanced flight controls, an upgraded drive train system and incorporating the ITEP engine.
“We’re listening to the shopper. We’re watching Future Vertical Lift. And we just wish to be sure that Apache just isn’t only relevant today but, as the shopper says they need it around through 2050, we wish to be sure that we’re modernizing it and keeping it relevant through 2050,” Jolivette said. “The Army still doesn’t have a requirement for it, so there’s lots to be worked out. But we realize it’s time, right?”