Philadelphia. Continuous improvement of the Apache Longbow is essential to maintaining Apache relevance and effectiveness in the future. That’s the view of Apache operators around the world, and The Boeing Company continues to define these needs and develop solutions for insertion of new technologies into the Apache Extended Block III upgrade program.

Some of these solutions include an advanced crew station that offers improved situational awareness, enhancements that reduce crew workload and new technologies that improve air vehicle performance. These solutions can provide India’s Defense Force with a new attack helicopter platform that will remain relevant well into the 21st century.

“Apache Longbow i s a perfect example of an integrated system that has continued to evolve and improve over the years,” said Larry Plaster, manager of Apache Modernization Programs at The Boeing Company. “We are focused on continued success that meets our customers’ needs for decades to come.”

Plaster added, “The Apache Longbow is an outstanding helicopter. Recent demonstrations of new technologies being incorporated by the Block III upgrade program confirm that the Block III Apache will be effective as the Army continues to transition to a fully networked Future Force. The Apache will continue to be enhanced to address the operational needs of all Apache customers worldwide.”

Improving the Apache’s crew station environment by presenting information in a more precise and easily actionable format is vital in the informationrich, networkcentric operations (NCO) environment of the future.

Some of the key technologies with the potential to address these needs include:

• Advanced heads down and heads up display systems
• Advanced sensor and datafusion
• Advanced Cognitive Decision

Aiding Systems (CDAS) Boeing also has developed an Advanced Rotorcraft Rapid Prototyping Mission Simulator to integrate and evaluate new displays (including full visor helmet displays), new CDAS behaviors, and other new efficient technologies such as Voice Command and Control.

In addition to the Advanced Crew Station work, Boeing and the U.S. Army continue to evaluate the potential for advanced, more capable sensors to improve crew situational awareness including such technologies as distributed aperture sensor fusion and enhanced/synthetic vision systems which would allow the crew to “see” threats and hostile forces as well as friendly ground troop activity over a very wide field of view around the aircraft– even in heavily obscured visual conditions.

Reduced crew workload is another key component of enabling the Apache Longbow crew of the future to function effectively on the NCO battlefield and execute critical flight maneuvers in the heat of battle. The Boeing Company is working with the U.S. Army on several technology upgrades that will dramatically reduce crew workload and improve crew survivability when implemented.

Future enhancements include:

• Modernized Control Laws to improve the lowspeed handling characteristics of the current limited authority Stability Augmentation System
• Helicopter Active Control Technology to allow crews to know when they are approaching an aircraft limit without monitoring the Multi Purpose Display indicators during high ­workload operations
• Fly-By-Wire capability to provide a full authority flight control system for the Apache
• Terrain Avoidance Warning System for integration into the Apache as an aid to prevent controlled flight into terrain accidents. This technology has the potential to significantly improve crew safety and survivability in a high workload environment – especially for operations in obscured visual conditions.

Improved Air Vehicle Performance in ongoing operations around the globe emphasizes the need for greater Apache payload, range and operational envelope capabilities – especially in the hot temperature, high altitude environments like India. Block III technologies offer a significant improvement in the aircraft’s performance. Boeing developing several new technologies with the potential to decrease the current weight of the Apache Longbow or increase the power available to lift more weight. Enhancements include:

• The Composite Aft Fuselage prototype design constructed of advanced ballistic tolerant, battlefield reparable composite material to reduce weight. The tailboom, vertical and horizontal stabilizers combine to produce a composite aft fuselage for the Apache that weighs approximately 90 pounds less than the current metal fuselage. In addition to the significant performance improvement, this technology eliminates the life limiting components of the fuselage to extend fuselage life for the global Apache fleet.
• An upgraded Tail Rotor Drive System including development of a new tail rotor blade developed by Boeing and the U.S. Army to leverage Block III performance improvements along with engine, main transmission and main rotor blade upgrades. Deliveries to the U.S. Army and Greece, Israel, Japan and Kuwait in 2007 conveyed the clear message that the Apache is achieving milestones and moving toward future success. “The Apache remains relevant around the world and we hope will some day also provide India with the most lethal, maneuverable, sustainable, and survivable combat helicopter in the world,” said Al Winn, Boeing vice president of Apache programs.