AH-64E Apache attack helicopter
- Thread starter Kunal Biswas
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Bhadra
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Good Vidieo Chauhan Ji
Another interesting one :
(Raw Combat Video Shows US Apache Gunship Killing Taliban In Afghanistan (VIDEO))
Another interesting one :
(Raw Combat Video Shows US Apache Gunship Killing Taliban In Afghanistan (VIDEO))
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Quit the worship of this thing mate. Pakistan yes, but China, they'd laugh at eager beavers like this. They're making their own gunship here (so are we, but they are moving onto heavy combat gunships). Apache is good but it is foreign made. This has to be sorted out. Our ultimate need might be 44 (exercising the 22 options) but we must make sure that we learn significant technological knowledge from the Apaches to use in HCH version of Dhruv that might come up in near future.
So tired of seeing "Light" in front of all domestic weapons. We need heavier platforms like Krokodil gunships, AMCA, Rustom UCAV etc.
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I doubt there is any other Chicken's neck other than SIliguri corridor that connects entire NE to rest of the country, man. J&K is held onto very firmly by the military and it is strong enough. What is the real matter to worry is Ladakh's regular arrival of PLA troops in its territory. If Apaches can be kept there to patrol, PLA will get a message.
Bhadra
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The Chinese have Them
The best peace time utilisation would be of one squadron for Andaman and Nicobar.
By the way chinese have those black hawks which they utilise on LAC effectively (People's Liberation Army Air Force has 22 S-70Cs in inventory as of November 2008.[40] All S-70Cs are now serving in Chengdu Military Region, with the primary focus on high-altitude military and humanitarian missions in Tibet area. These S-70Cs equipped with more powerful T700-701A engines, are the best high-altitude helicopters PLA currently have. Sikorsky expected to export over 100 S-70s to China, but only 22 were delivered before fallout of China-US relationship in late 1980) wiki.
Ceiling is only 22000 ft with insignificant load. I doubt this machine can be of much use there. The weaponised Rudra would be more effective there. The Apache can be utilised effectively in mountains south of Pir Panjal, Manipur valley, Dantewada, Nagaland, if the situation so demands. For peacetime ops Kutch and Bhuj in Gujart would be ideal place for employement to keep vigil and destry infiltration.
The best peace time utilisation would be of one squadron for Andaman and Nicobar.
By the way chinese have those black hawks which they utilise on LAC effectively (People's Liberation Army Air Force has 22 S-70Cs in inventory as of November 2008.[40] All S-70Cs are now serving in Chengdu Military Region, with the primary focus on high-altitude military and humanitarian missions in Tibet area. These S-70Cs equipped with more powerful T700-701A engines, are the best high-altitude helicopters PLA currently have. Sikorsky expected to export over 100 S-70s to China, but only 22 were delivered before fallout of China-US relationship in late 1980) wiki.
Galaxy
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We will also inducting 200 Odd LCH + ALH Rudra in next few years. These 200 attack heli will support 22 + 22 Apache. :thumb:
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I agree. Infact, I am in favor of making LCH Dhruv into HCH Dhruv. They airframe can remain the same; Only denser material and larger weapons load pylons will be needed. Dhruv gunship with its ability to carry 14 ATGMs and 2 20-barrel rockets would be a deadly combination. But Alas! Will the MOD ever agree for something good for IA?Ceiling is only 22000 ft with insignificant load. I doubt this machine can be of much use there. The weaponised Rudra would be more effective there. The Apache can be utilised effectively in mountains south of Pir Panjal, Manipur valley, Dantewada, Nagaland, if the situation so demands. For peacetime ops Kutch and Bhuj in Gujart would be ideal place for employement to keep vigil and destry infiltration.
The best peace time utilisation would be of one squadron for Andaman and Nicobar.
By the way chinese have those black hawks which they utilise on LAC effectively (People's Liberation Army Air Force has 22 S-70Cs in inventory as of November 2008.[40] All S-70Cs are now serving in Chengdu Military Region, with the primary focus on high-altitude military and humanitarian missions in Tibet area. These S-70Cs equipped with more powerful T700-701A engines, are the best high-altitude helicopters PLA currently have. Sikorsky expected to export over 100 S-70s to China, but only 22 were delivered before fallout of China-US relationship in late 1980) wiki.
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Tshering - I am not sure it is that easy. For higher weight, the Helo will need bigger engines - which means bigger casings and larger size, not to mention more fuel, which will increase the size and the weight again - all of this will need changes in the airframe.
So, HAL will have two options -
1. Keep the same airframe design but make whatever changes necessary to meet the requirements of a HCH in terms of armament and armor - this will be an "evolutionary" process similar to the Soviet models.
2. design a new airframe from the grounds up for a HCH - the development knowledge of the LCH will help for sure, but this will be a completely new design compared to the LCH. It's the american approach of a "revolutionary" design process.
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Busy trolling here eh cir?
India HAS bult it's own attack Helo - check the forums to learn more.
As for "unlimited access" to western and Russian tech - firstly we never had "unlimited access" - only "limited access" since we tend to respect other peoples intellectual property and try not to blindly copy their designs and get banned to any future arms sale - lik some country you may know of.
Also, India had no access to a lot of western technology due to trade and weapons sales restrictions. As for Russian tech, some other country that you know of had very similar if not "more access".
As for the "after so many years" part - some other country started developing their arms industry about 20 years before India did - with that kind of a headstart, it is surprising what little they have achieved - so why cry about India.
Now the question is, do you know what country I am talking about? It's not Japan, Korea or Taiwan ... but lies somewhere in between ....
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From Albania to Afghanistan, US Army integrates lessons into latest Apache
By: Stephen Trimble Washington DC Flightglobal
On 2 November, Boeing delivered the first two of 690 AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopters to the US Army.
A training aircraft will also be delivered to the first export customer - Taiwan - in mid-2012, with the balance of the nation's order for 30 Block III aircraft to begin delivery a year later.
The Block III version of the AH-64D is also the only aircraft now being considered by the Indian defence ministry for its attack helicopter contest, after the nation eliminated a rival bid from Russia's Mil Mi-28N.
And the US airframer's latest rotorcraft product is close to completing deals all over the world, including in Saudi Arabia and South Korea - not bad for a helicopter programme that survived at least two evolutions of its operational purpose since it was launched.
The AH-64D Block III now has no true competitor that can match its capability in the heavy helicopter gunship market.
The Block III programme was conceived in the immediate aftermath of a notorious operational deployment.
In 1999, Task Force Hawk revealed glaring performance shortfalls in the AH-64D, which Lt Col Dan Bailey - a member of the ill-fated task force, and now AH-64D Block III product manager - said was unable to fly with a full weapons load in the mountains of Albania.
Two decades of added bulk - including new sensors, weapons and support equipment - had eroded the Apache's lift and speed by 1999.
In response, the Block III introduces upgrades to the transmission with a split-torque face gear, allowing US manufacturer General Electric to increase the thrust rating of its T700-701D engines from 2,830shp (2,080kW) to 3,400shp.
Four years later, the AH-64D was again caught off guard. The Apache fleet generally performed well in the second invasion of Iraq in 2003, but a pre-planned deep strike mission on 24 March was a debacle. An Apache force was ambushed by Iraqi villagers and militiamen, and one aircraft was downed - possibly by a mere rifle bullet.
"That specific fight was not a decision point for [Block III]," said Col Shane Openshaw, AH-64 programme manager, adding: "It was an opportunity to re-look at the way we were going to use the aircraft."
Never again would a large formation of Apaches fly deep and alone into enemy territory.
The Block III standard allows the AH-64D to control unmanned air systems (UAS) - so instead of flying deep behind enemy lines alone, UAS could fly ahead of the formation and watch for anything unusual.
Nearly a year after the ambush, the army formally launched the Block III modernisation programme in February 2004. At the time, it planned to make the AH-64D a central node in the battlefield network in development by Boeing's Future Combat System (FCS) programme.
However, that part of the Block III programme's original justification was lost when the army terminated FCS.
The new variant includes additional antennas to communicate with UAS, but the ability to communicate with US Air Force aircraft will not arrive until a Link 16 datalink is added in a few years.
Other communications waveforms, such as the soldier networking waveform and wideband networking waveform, will not be integrated for several years.
In the aftermath of FCS' termination, Block III was re-cast as a service life extension programme and a necessary performance upgrade to keep the AH-64D fleet relevant through to its planned retirement in 2040.
Despite so many concept revisions, the demand for the Block III upgrades for the Apache never wavered. Rotorcraft of all types remain a top priority in the US military's acquisition plans. While budgets are starting to tighten, the AH-64D Block III is still fully-funded - and after orders for 51 aircraft in the low-rate initial production phase, the army is scheduled to make a full-rate production decision in August 2012.
Approval is expected, and the only debate is how fast the service will buy new Block IIIs.
The minimum rate is to deliver enough aircraft to equip a single combat aviation brigade with two battalions a year, Bailey said - and that is not expected to change.
By: Stephen Trimble Washington DC Flightglobal
On 2 November, Boeing delivered the first two of 690 AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopters to the US Army.
A training aircraft will also be delivered to the first export customer - Taiwan - in mid-2012, with the balance of the nation's order for 30 Block III aircraft to begin delivery a year later.
The Block III version of the AH-64D is also the only aircraft now being considered by the Indian defence ministry for its attack helicopter contest, after the nation eliminated a rival bid from Russia's Mil Mi-28N.
And the US airframer's latest rotorcraft product is close to completing deals all over the world, including in Saudi Arabia and South Korea - not bad for a helicopter programme that survived at least two evolutions of its operational purpose since it was launched.
The AH-64D Block III now has no true competitor that can match its capability in the heavy helicopter gunship market.
The Block III programme was conceived in the immediate aftermath of a notorious operational deployment.
In 1999, Task Force Hawk revealed glaring performance shortfalls in the AH-64D, which Lt Col Dan Bailey - a member of the ill-fated task force, and now AH-64D Block III product manager - said was unable to fly with a full weapons load in the mountains of Albania.
Two decades of added bulk - including new sensors, weapons and support equipment - had eroded the Apache's lift and speed by 1999.
In response, the Block III introduces upgrades to the transmission with a split-torque face gear, allowing US manufacturer General Electric to increase the thrust rating of its T700-701D engines from 2,830shp (2,080kW) to 3,400shp.
Four years later, the AH-64D was again caught off guard. The Apache fleet generally performed well in the second invasion of Iraq in 2003, but a pre-planned deep strike mission on 24 March was a debacle. An Apache force was ambushed by Iraqi villagers and militiamen, and one aircraft was downed - possibly by a mere rifle bullet.
"That specific fight was not a decision point for [Block III]," said Col Shane Openshaw, AH-64 programme manager, adding: "It was an opportunity to re-look at the way we were going to use the aircraft."
Never again would a large formation of Apaches fly deep and alone into enemy territory.
The Block III standard allows the AH-64D to control unmanned air systems (UAS) - so instead of flying deep behind enemy lines alone, UAS could fly ahead of the formation and watch for anything unusual.
Nearly a year after the ambush, the army formally launched the Block III modernisation programme in February 2004. At the time, it planned to make the AH-64D a central node in the battlefield network in development by Boeing's Future Combat System (FCS) programme.
However, that part of the Block III programme's original justification was lost when the army terminated FCS.
The new variant includes additional antennas to communicate with UAS, but the ability to communicate with US Air Force aircraft will not arrive until a Link 16 datalink is added in a few years.
Other communications waveforms, such as the soldier networking waveform and wideband networking waveform, will not be integrated for several years.
In the aftermath of FCS' termination, Block III was re-cast as a service life extension programme and a necessary performance upgrade to keep the AH-64D fleet relevant through to its planned retirement in 2040.
Despite so many concept revisions, the demand for the Block III upgrades for the Apache never wavered. Rotorcraft of all types remain a top priority in the US military's acquisition plans. While budgets are starting to tighten, the AH-64D Block III is still fully-funded - and after orders for 51 aircraft in the low-rate initial production phase, the army is scheduled to make a full-rate production decision in August 2012.
Approval is expected, and the only debate is how fast the service will buy new Block IIIs.
The minimum rate is to deliver enough aircraft to equip a single combat aviation brigade with two battalions a year, Bailey said - and that is not expected to change.
Zebra
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U.S. Army Receives First of Latest Apaches
By ART THOMASON, THE (PHOENIX) ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Published: 4 Nov 2011 11:40
MESA, Ariz. - Amid fanfare and after an Apache tribal blessing, the most lethal and technologically sophisticated attack helicopter in the world has been delivered to the U.S. Army by its Mesa manufacturer.
Named after the Native American tribe, the AH-64D Longbow Apache Block III is geared to meet next-generation battlefield challenges with high-tech gear such as sensors that allow pilots to guide unmanned aircraft to their targets, Army officials said Nov. 2.
"Our enemy is ruthless," said Maj. Gen. Anthony Crutchfield, commanding general of the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Ala. "They are determined. They are adaptive ... and we must be adaptive and innovative."
Crutchfield was among 500 Army officers and enlisted personnel, Boeing employees and international customers, and public officials who celebrated the delivery of the first five Block III Apaches during ceremonies at The Boeing Co. plant where the aircraft is made.
Although the festive event portrayed the helicopter's devastating power, White Mountain Apache Tribal Chairman Ronnie Lupe concentrated on its lifesaving ability as he blessed the helicopters in a spiritual ceremony.
Holding eagle feathers as white smoke from a nearby smoldering pot of sage dissipated in heavy wind gusts, Lupe and two other tribal members approached one of the helicopters, touching it with the feathers during the early morning ritual on an asphalt flight line.
"That prayer was to the creator for the warrior in hopes that the warrior would return," said Crutchfield, who is of Native American heritage.
Jerry Gloshay, Lupe's executive assistant, said the tribal leader views the aircraft as a "living bird that is sort of like the Apache warrior."
"He wants to have a blessing, not in the light of the helicopter being on the attack mode, but rather how it is going to protect the family's well-being in the future," he said.
Gloshay said Lupe, a Korean War veteran who served with the U.S. Marine Corps' 1st Division, blessed the original "A" model of the Apache helicopter when it was built in 1984.
The war, which began in 1950, gave birth to the Marines' first helicopter unit specifically formed for combat.
Public officials attending the ceremony talked of a different type of blessing from the continued production of the rotorcraft at The Boeing Co. plant.
"I like to say that Mesa is the epicenter of Boeing rotorcraft," Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said. "Apaches bring 4,500-plus employees to this site. ...We look forward to another 30 years of growth, accomplishment and pride."
The helicopters are being built under a $247 million deal with the Defense Department.
The first phase of production will lead to the manufacture of 690 of the Block III aircraft for the Army, which could extend production for nearly a decade or more, according to Boeing officials.
The Army plans to acquire the helicopters between now and 2026 at a production rate of about two battalions per year, according to the Army. Of this amount, 643 will be remanufactured aircraft and 56 will be new.
Since the first Apache, called the A model, was delivered, more than 1,700 various models of the rotorcraft have been manufactured for the Army and U.S. allied forces.
SOURCE : defence news .
By ART THOMASON, THE (PHOENIX) ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Published: 4 Nov 2011 11:40
MESA, Ariz. - Amid fanfare and after an Apache tribal blessing, the most lethal and technologically sophisticated attack helicopter in the world has been delivered to the U.S. Army by its Mesa manufacturer.
Named after the Native American tribe, the AH-64D Longbow Apache Block III is geared to meet next-generation battlefield challenges with high-tech gear such as sensors that allow pilots to guide unmanned aircraft to their targets, Army officials said Nov. 2.
"Our enemy is ruthless," said Maj. Gen. Anthony Crutchfield, commanding general of the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Ala. "They are determined. They are adaptive ... and we must be adaptive and innovative."
Crutchfield was among 500 Army officers and enlisted personnel, Boeing employees and international customers, and public officials who celebrated the delivery of the first five Block III Apaches during ceremonies at The Boeing Co. plant where the aircraft is made.
Although the festive event portrayed the helicopter's devastating power, White Mountain Apache Tribal Chairman Ronnie Lupe concentrated on its lifesaving ability as he blessed the helicopters in a spiritual ceremony.
Holding eagle feathers as white smoke from a nearby smoldering pot of sage dissipated in heavy wind gusts, Lupe and two other tribal members approached one of the helicopters, touching it with the feathers during the early morning ritual on an asphalt flight line.
"That prayer was to the creator for the warrior in hopes that the warrior would return," said Crutchfield, who is of Native American heritage.
Jerry Gloshay, Lupe's executive assistant, said the tribal leader views the aircraft as a "living bird that is sort of like the Apache warrior."
"He wants to have a blessing, not in the light of the helicopter being on the attack mode, but rather how it is going to protect the family's well-being in the future," he said.
Gloshay said Lupe, a Korean War veteran who served with the U.S. Marine Corps' 1st Division, blessed the original "A" model of the Apache helicopter when it was built in 1984.
The war, which began in 1950, gave birth to the Marines' first helicopter unit specifically formed for combat.
Public officials attending the ceremony talked of a different type of blessing from the continued production of the rotorcraft at The Boeing Co. plant.
"I like to say that Mesa is the epicenter of Boeing rotorcraft," Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said. "Apaches bring 4,500-plus employees to this site. ...We look forward to another 30 years of growth, accomplishment and pride."
The helicopters are being built under a $247 million deal with the Defense Department.
The first phase of production will lead to the manufacture of 690 of the Block III aircraft for the Army, which could extend production for nearly a decade or more, according to Boeing officials.
The Army plans to acquire the helicopters between now and 2026 at a production rate of about two battalions per year, according to the Army. Of this amount, 643 will be remanufactured aircraft and 56 will be new.
Since the first Apache, called the A model, was delivered, more than 1,700 various models of the rotorcraft have been manufactured for the Army and U.S. allied forces.
SOURCE : defence news .
Last edited:
Galaxy
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"Night Hunter" loses helicopter tender in India: experts' comments
"Night Hunter" loses helicopter tender in India: experts' comments
Experts gave their explications of India's decision to buy American Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters instead of Russian Mi-28N "Night Hunters". And the reasons go beyond aircrafts' technical specifications.
Ruslan Pukhov, Director of Strategies and Technologies Analysis Centre, thinks that there are a number of reasons for losing the Indian tender, and the technical condition of the aircraft is not the main reason despite the Indian officials' claims that their ground for choosing Apache aircrafts was the superiority of their technical specifications.
A representative for the Western Air Command in New Delhi stated that "both machines worked excellently, but the American helicopter had increased capabilities and displayed superior all-weather applications."
True, there is room for improvement for Mi-28N "Night Hunters", and some specifications should be upgraded. For example, according to Mr. Sukhov, the aircrafts' operating system has to be improved, and also the radar allowing for the helicopters' functioning at night and in bad weather doesn't work properly.
But there may be other considerations that have influenced the decision of the Indian Ministry of Defence.
At the moment there are two more helicopter tenders in India for the purchase of multipurpose helicopters and super heavy helicopters, and Russian aircrafts take part in both of them – Ka-226 participates in the first tender, and Mi-26 in the second one respectively. And Ruslan Sukhov believes that, with both helicopters standing a high chance of winning the competitions, India simply can't give all the three tenders to Russia.
The expert also claims that the current fascination with American aircrafts may have had an impact on the decision of Indian Ministry of Defence. Mr. Sukhov said that the advantages of American helicopters are widely known but there is little information on their shortcomings.
The history of comparisons between the Russian and American aircrafts in question dates back to 1995 when a group of Swedish experts tested the previous modification of Russian Mi-28N "Night Hunter" helicopters. According to the results of the exercise carried out by the Russian and Swedish pilots, Mi-28N outperforms its foreign rivals in flight performance, combat survivability, arms specifications and operating convenience are concerned. However, they believe the Russian helicopter concedes to the American chopper as far as its shooting accuracy is concerned. However, this exercise took place more than a decade ago, and lately Indians have had more opportunities to observe the American helicopter in action.
In India there are currently three tenders for the supply of helicopters to the Air Force – 22 attack helicopters, 12 heavy transport helicopters and 197 general-purpose light helicopters. The total value of the tenders is more than $2.5 billion. There are plans to extend the contract for the delivery of 22 attack helicopters to 44 or more.
Russian manufacturers have taken part in all three competitions, but it is not yet known who will win the other two. It is particularly important for Russia to win the contract for light helicopters, as it would allow them to penetrate a new market sector in India. Two candidates remain for this tender – the Eurocopter AS550 Fennec and the Kamov Ka-226T. The winner will be awarded a contract to replace the sizeable Indian Alouette II/III fleet which is mainly based in the mountainous northern areas of the country. The contract to deliver heavy transport helicopters will go to either the Russian Mi-26T2 or the American CH-47F Chinook.
The Indian Defence Ministry also plans to hold a number of future competitions for the procurement of helicopters, including one for the delivery of multipurpose helicopters for the country's Navy. Experts estimate that India will deploy about 700 helicopters over the next ten years.
"Night Hunter" loses helicopter tender in India: experts' comments
Experts gave their explications of India's decision to buy American Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters instead of Russian Mi-28N "Night Hunters". And the reasons go beyond aircrafts' technical specifications.
Ruslan Pukhov, Director of Strategies and Technologies Analysis Centre, thinks that there are a number of reasons for losing the Indian tender, and the technical condition of the aircraft is not the main reason despite the Indian officials' claims that their ground for choosing Apache aircrafts was the superiority of their technical specifications.
A representative for the Western Air Command in New Delhi stated that "both machines worked excellently, but the American helicopter had increased capabilities and displayed superior all-weather applications."
True, there is room for improvement for Mi-28N "Night Hunters", and some specifications should be upgraded. For example, according to Mr. Sukhov, the aircrafts' operating system has to be improved, and also the radar allowing for the helicopters' functioning at night and in bad weather doesn't work properly.
But there may be other considerations that have influenced the decision of the Indian Ministry of Defence.
At the moment there are two more helicopter tenders in India for the purchase of multipurpose helicopters and super heavy helicopters, and Russian aircrafts take part in both of them – Ka-226 participates in the first tender, and Mi-26 in the second one respectively. And Ruslan Sukhov believes that, with both helicopters standing a high chance of winning the competitions, India simply can't give all the three tenders to Russia.
The expert also claims that the current fascination with American aircrafts may have had an impact on the decision of Indian Ministry of Defence. Mr. Sukhov said that the advantages of American helicopters are widely known but there is little information on their shortcomings.
The history of comparisons between the Russian and American aircrafts in question dates back to 1995 when a group of Swedish experts tested the previous modification of Russian Mi-28N "Night Hunter" helicopters. According to the results of the exercise carried out by the Russian and Swedish pilots, Mi-28N outperforms its foreign rivals in flight performance, combat survivability, arms specifications and operating convenience are concerned. However, they believe the Russian helicopter concedes to the American chopper as far as its shooting accuracy is concerned. However, this exercise took place more than a decade ago, and lately Indians have had more opportunities to observe the American helicopter in action.
In India there are currently three tenders for the supply of helicopters to the Air Force – 22 attack helicopters, 12 heavy transport helicopters and 197 general-purpose light helicopters. The total value of the tenders is more than $2.5 billion. There are plans to extend the contract for the delivery of 22 attack helicopters to 44 or more.
Russian manufacturers have taken part in all three competitions, but it is not yet known who will win the other two. It is particularly important for Russia to win the contract for light helicopters, as it would allow them to penetrate a new market sector in India. Two candidates remain for this tender – the Eurocopter AS550 Fennec and the Kamov Ka-226T. The winner will be awarded a contract to replace the sizeable Indian Alouette II/III fleet which is mainly based in the mountainous northern areas of the country. The contract to deliver heavy transport helicopters will go to either the Russian Mi-26T2 or the American CH-47F Chinook.
The Indian Defence Ministry also plans to hold a number of future competitions for the procurement of helicopters, including one for the delivery of multipurpose helicopters for the country's Navy. Experts estimate that India will deploy about 700 helicopters over the next ten years.
Galaxy
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Boeing Seen Winning Indian Air Force Deal
Boeing Seen Winning Indian Air Force Deal
Nov 8, 2011
NEW DELHI — The Indian government is signaling that Boeing soon will be awarded a contract for 22 AH-64D Apache Longbow Block IIIs for the Indian air force (IAF).
The U.S. Army rotorcraft, which is said to have outperformed the rival Russian Mi-28N Night Hunter in tests, was strongly recommended by the IAF earlier this year as its choice following trials in 2010.
Defense ministry sources reveal that differences in performance between the two helicopters was so great that the IAF's case was difficult to question. The final contract, a direct commercial sale, could be worth $1.5 billion.
An IAF trial team member, who asked not to be named, says, "The Apache scored consistently over Mi-28 in several key operational criteria. Broadly, these fell under the categories of electronic warfare, survivability, situational awareness in the cockpit, night-fighting capabilities, sensor efficacy and weapons. The helicopter was also found to be far more maneuverable. We worked directly with Boeing and the U.S. Army to test this helicopter."
Another IAF source suggests that the Apache also had superior armor protection and performed well in both desert and high-altitude conditions.
Boeing said it would not comment on the outcome of the competition since nothing was known officially yet. A Rosoboronexport official says he had read local Russian media reports about the Mi-28N losing out in the contest, but was unaware of why. The Russian helicopter had proven itself in field trials, he declared, but would not say more.
The new helicopters will replace the IAF's aging Mi-35s. The AH-64D and Mi-28 were put through field evaluation trials in mid-2010 at the Jaisalmer desert base in western India and Leh, the world's highest operational air station, in the Himalayas. This was followed by weapons firing trials, targeting and maintenance trials in the contenders' home countries.
Expected Order
In a December 2010 notification to the U.S. Congress, the Pentagon said it expected the Indian government to order 50 T700-GE-701D engines, 12 AN/APG-78 fire control radars, 812 AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow missiles, 542 AGM-114R-3 Hellfire II missiles, 245 Stinger Block I-92H missiles and 23 modernized target acquisition designation sights. U.S. Embassy officials said the notification was to start due-process paperwork that would save time in the event of a contract award later.
After the abrupt elimination of both U.S. contenders — the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F/A-18 — from the IAF's $12 billion MMRCA fighter competition last April, U.S. companies have moved quickly to mop up other Indian deals. In June, Boeing was awarded a $4.1 billion prize for 10 C-17 heavy-lift transports, and Lockheed is close to securing a follow-on, $1 billion contract for six more C-130J special-mission airlifters. There have been indications that Boeing's CH-47 Chinook has also emerged on top against the Russian Mi-26T2 in a competition for 12 heavy-lift rotorcraft for the IAF.
The acquisition of attack helicopters comes at a particularly delicate time for relations between the IAF and Indian army. Locked in a spat for years over who should operate battlefield assault helicopters, the army has asked the government to allow it full command-and-control over all tactical battlefield air assets.
The IAF remains unmoved, and has argued that while attack helicopter flights will be controlled by the army, sorties will be flown only by IAF pilots. To boot, the IAF is a primary customer for the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter and weaponized Dhruv helicopter.
Boeing Seen Winning Indian Air Force Deal
Nov 8, 2011
NEW DELHI — The Indian government is signaling that Boeing soon will be awarded a contract for 22 AH-64D Apache Longbow Block IIIs for the Indian air force (IAF).
The U.S. Army rotorcraft, which is said to have outperformed the rival Russian Mi-28N Night Hunter in tests, was strongly recommended by the IAF earlier this year as its choice following trials in 2010.
Defense ministry sources reveal that differences in performance between the two helicopters was so great that the IAF's case was difficult to question. The final contract, a direct commercial sale, could be worth $1.5 billion.
An IAF trial team member, who asked not to be named, says, "The Apache scored consistently over Mi-28 in several key operational criteria. Broadly, these fell under the categories of electronic warfare, survivability, situational awareness in the cockpit, night-fighting capabilities, sensor efficacy and weapons. The helicopter was also found to be far more maneuverable. We worked directly with Boeing and the U.S. Army to test this helicopter."
Another IAF source suggests that the Apache also had superior armor protection and performed well in both desert and high-altitude conditions.
Boeing said it would not comment on the outcome of the competition since nothing was known officially yet. A Rosoboronexport official says he had read local Russian media reports about the Mi-28N losing out in the contest, but was unaware of why. The Russian helicopter had proven itself in field trials, he declared, but would not say more.
The new helicopters will replace the IAF's aging Mi-35s. The AH-64D and Mi-28 were put through field evaluation trials in mid-2010 at the Jaisalmer desert base in western India and Leh, the world's highest operational air station, in the Himalayas. This was followed by weapons firing trials, targeting and maintenance trials in the contenders' home countries.
Expected Order
In a December 2010 notification to the U.S. Congress, the Pentagon said it expected the Indian government to order 50 T700-GE-701D engines, 12 AN/APG-78 fire control radars, 812 AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow missiles, 542 AGM-114R-3 Hellfire II missiles, 245 Stinger Block I-92H missiles and 23 modernized target acquisition designation sights. U.S. Embassy officials said the notification was to start due-process paperwork that would save time in the event of a contract award later.
After the abrupt elimination of both U.S. contenders — the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F/A-18 — from the IAF's $12 billion MMRCA fighter competition last April, U.S. companies have moved quickly to mop up other Indian deals. In June, Boeing was awarded a $4.1 billion prize for 10 C-17 heavy-lift transports, and Lockheed is close to securing a follow-on, $1 billion contract for six more C-130J special-mission airlifters. There have been indications that Boeing's CH-47 Chinook has also emerged on top against the Russian Mi-26T2 in a competition for 12 heavy-lift rotorcraft for the IAF.
The acquisition of attack helicopters comes at a particularly delicate time for relations between the IAF and Indian army. Locked in a spat for years over who should operate battlefield assault helicopters, the army has asked the government to allow it full command-and-control over all tactical battlefield air assets.
The IAF remains unmoved, and has argued that while attack helicopter flights will be controlled by the army, sorties will be flown only by IAF pilots. To boot, the IAF is a primary customer for the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter and weaponized Dhruv helicopter.
pmaitra
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^^
True.
I am of the opinion that India should setup two companies, strictly separate from GTRE. One should collaborate with Kuznetsov and Soloviev while the other with Snecma and start making turbines in India. We will therefore have three competing companies and we can expect steady growth in the turbine development department.
True.
I am of the opinion that India should setup two companies, strictly separate from GTRE. One should collaborate with Kuznetsov and Soloviev while the other with Snecma and start making turbines in India. We will therefore have three competing companies and we can expect steady growth in the turbine development department.
Zebra
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