Version Update of the Apache will Expand its Capabilities

Version Update of the Apache will Expand its Capabilities

An AH-64E Apache from 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, takes off from its landing pad after arming and refueling during the unit's rotation at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., May 21.

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The U.S. Army is developing a Version 6 update of the Boeing AH-64E Apache that by 2018 will enhance its fire-control radar, expand its ability to communicate with unmanned aircraft and soldiers on the ground, and increase onboard processing speeds.

According to USA VIsion, the “heavily software dependent” Version 6 capabilities will be implemented on the latest-model Apache by April 2018 at a cost of $298.5 million.

The technology insertions can be retrofitted at Apache unit locations, said Apache project manager Col. Jeffrey Hager. Updates will be implemented incrementally.

Enhancements to the Apache’s AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radar will extend its range, improve its ability to recognize threats and enable over-water maritime targeting. “Current and potential future conflicts mandate the need for the Apache to counter enemy anti-access/area denial [threats] such as unmanned aircraft, amphibious assault vehicles and hovercraft, at extended ranges and under adverse weather conditions,” according to the project justification document.

Version 6 also calls for integrating soldier waveform radio voice and data capability.

New multi-core mission processors will provide more memory and faster processing speeds. A cognitive decision aiding system will be integrated, helping to decrease pilot workload and improve decision making efficiency. Also integrated will be a modernized rocket launcher, and the capability to deploy the advanced AGM-114R “Hellfire Romeo” air-to-surface missile.

The update will also introduce the next-generation capability of -Extended, or “MUMT-X” enabling Apaches to interoperate with a wider range of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and other platforms.

Last September, L-3 Communications was awarded a subcontract from Science and Engineering Services for the MUMT-X upgrade, which it described as a wideband, high-speed video and data communications suite.

“When that comes out in the latter part of fiscal 2018, the [Apache] Echo model will be able to talk with any system that’s out there on the battlefield,” Hager said. “Right now, the requirement that was written for us was to talk to tactical common data link systems, which is the Gray Eagle and the Shadow V2. We can talk to those systems today; in a few short years, we’ll be the first airframe to talk to any systems out there on the battlefield, and that includes naval security assets, the Marines—anything that’s flying out in the airspace, they’ll be able to capture that data.”

The Army and Boeing negotiated a multi-year procurement for 275 AH-64Es—which are remanufactured from earlier versions—with options for up to 450 total helicopters, to include foreign military sales and additional U.S. Apaches.

The multi-year buy was approved by congressional committees, the contract would extend from Fiscal Years 2017 to 2021. The parties expected to conclude the multi-year contract no later than the second quarter of FY2017, or between January and March next year.